It feels like we just finished clearing away the holiday tinsel, yet people are already checking their calendars and asking when is Easter 2025. Honestly, if you feel like the date is bouncing around more than usual, you aren't wrong.
Easter is the ultimate "moveable feast." Unlike Christmas, which stays glued to December 25th, Easter likes to wander. In 2025, it’s taking its sweet time. Mark your calendars: Easter Sunday is April 20, 2025.
That’s late.
When you compare it to 2024, when we were hunting eggs in March, April 20 feels practically like summer. This shift changes everything from spring break schedules to how early you need to start thinking about brunch reservations at that one place downtown that always fills up.
The math behind the mystery
Why April 20? It’s not a random choice by a committee in a boardroom. The calculation is actually ancient, based on a mix of lunar cycles and the spring equinox. Basically, the rule established by the Council of Nicaea back in A.D. 325 says Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox.
Since the equinox is fixed on March 21, and the "Paschal Full Moon" for 2025 doesn't show up until Sunday, April 13, the following Sunday becomes Easter.
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It's complex. It’s slightly annoying for planners. But it's how the Western Christian world has done it for centuries.
There’s a funny quirk here, though. If you live in a place with a large Orthodox Christian population, or if you follow the Julian calendar, you’ll notice they are on a different track. For 2025, however, there is a rare alignment. Both Western and Orthodox Easters actually fall on the same day—April 20. That doesn't happen every year. It’s a bit of a mathematical coincidence that brings a lot of different traditions together at the same time.
What this late date means for your wallet
You've probably noticed that travel prices spike around holidays. With Easter landing so late in April, it's colliding head-on with many school districts' spring breaks and even the start of warmer weather travel.
Expect flights to be pricier.
If you're planning a trip to see family, you really should have booked your tickets yesterday. Because it's April 20, the weather in much of the Northern Hemisphere is going to be significantly better than it was during the March Easter of 2024. This means more people are willing to travel, which naturally drives up the cost of gas and hotels.
Don't wait.
Also, think about the food. Lamb prices usually jump in the two weeks leading up to the holiday. Since we have a longer "lead-in" time from the start of the year, retailers have more time to market to you. You'll likely see Peeps and chocolate bunnies on shelves the moment Valentine’s Day ends, giving you a solid two months of temptation.
The cultural impact of a late April Easter
There is a psychological shift when Easter is late. When it's in March, it feels like a "winter-into-spring" bridge. When it's April 20, it feels like the peak of spring.
Gardening enthusiasts often use Easter as a marker for when to start planting. In many hardiness zones, mid-April is the "safe" zone for getting those early perennials in the ground without a surprise frost killing everything off. For those in the fashion world, the old "no white before Easter" rule (which is pretty much dead anyway, but still lingers in some circles) gets pushed back significantly.
Basically, the world will be in full bloom by the time the holiday arrives.
Real-world schedule shifts
- School Breaks: Many universities and K-12 schools align their "Spring Break" with Holy Week. Since this is so late, some schools are decoupling the two to avoid having a break so close to the end of the school year.
- Sporting Events: In the US, the Masters Tournament usually concludes the week before or the week of Easter. In 2025, the Masters ends on April 13, which perfectly tees up Easter Sunday the following weekend.
- Retail Cycles: Expect "Spring Sales" to be longer and more drawn out. Retailers hate a "gap" in spending, so they will be pushing patio furniture and outdoor gear much harder alongside the traditional baskets.
Misconceptions about the "correct" date
I hear people say all the time that Easter is "supposed" to be in March. That's just a bias based on the last few years. The earliest Easter can possibly be is March 22, and the latest is April 25. 2025 is pushing the upper limits of that window.
The last time we had an Easter this late was 2011 (April 24). We won't see an April 20 Easter again for several years.
Some people also get confused by the "Paschal Full Moon." It’s not necessarily the actual astronomical full moon you see in the sky, but a "tabulated" moon used by the church. Most years they match up perfectly, but every once in a while, the ecclesiastical date and the astronomical date differ by a day or two. For 2025, they’re in sync enough that nobody is going to be arguing over the calendar.
Preparing for the April 20 holiday
Since you now know when is Easter 2025, you can actually beat the rush.
If you’re hosting, start thinking about your menu now, but don't buy the perishables until that final week. The beauty of an April 20 date is the produce. You’re going to have access to much better asparagus, peas, and spring greens than you would in March. It’s a chef’s dream version of the holiday.
Also, consider the clothing. March Easters often require coats over Sunday best. In 2025, you can likely get away with lighter fabrics and no heavy layers.
Essential Next Steps
- Check your school’s calendar: Don't assume the spring break aligns with the holiday. Many districts have already finalized 2024-2025 calendars and might have put the break in early April.
- Book dining reservations by February: If you have a specific brunch spot in mind, the late date means more people will be out and about.
- Coordinate with family now: Because it’s so late in the month, it might clash with mid-April birthdays or other tax-season stressors (remember, Tax Day is just five days before Easter Sunday).
- Audit your spring wardrobe: You won't need the heavy wools. Look for linens and light cottons that suit a late-April climate.
The countdown is on. Even though it feels far away, an April 20 Easter will be here before the spring thaw is even complete in some northern states. Being aware of the date now helps you avoid the "holiday creep" stress that usually sets in once March hits. Plan for the warm weather, prepare for the travel crowds, and enjoy the fact that for once, we might actually have a warm Easter Sunday.