Easter is a bit of a moving target. Unlike Christmas, which stays glued to December 25th, Easter bounces around the calendar like a pinball. If you’re trying to plan a family brunch or a quick getaway, you’ve probably realized that the dates for next year look a little different than usual.
So, when is Easter weekend 2025?
Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 20, 2025.
That is late. Really late. In fact, it’s one of the latest dates possible for the holiday. Because the weekend kicks off with Good Friday on April 18 and wraps up with Easter Monday on April 21, we are looking at a full spring celebration deep into the month of April.
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Why does the date change every single year?
It feels like there should be a simpler way, right? But the calculation for Easter is actually based on a mix of solar and lunar cycles. Specifically, the Western Christian Church follows a rule established way back in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea.
Basically, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox.
The equinox is fixed on March 21 for these purposes. So, if the full moon happens on March 22, Easter is early. If the full moon doesn't show up until mid-April, Easter gets pushed back. In 2025, that "Paschal Full Moon" isn't scheduled to appear until Sunday, April 13. Since that’s already a Sunday, the holiday rolls to the following Sunday.
That’s how we end up with April 20.
It’s almost a month later than it was in 2024. Last year, we were hunting eggs on March 31. The shift is massive. You've probably noticed that the weather is drastically different in late April compared to late March, especially if you live in the northern half of the country.
Breaking down the Easter weekend 2025 schedule
The long weekend officially starts with Good Friday on April 18, 2025.
For many, this is a day of fasting or quiet reflection. In many countries, it's also a public holiday where banks and government offices shut down. If you're planning on doing any last-minute grocery shopping, check your local store hours. Many places close up shop or have very limited hours on Friday.
Then comes Holy Saturday on April 19.
This is usually the "prep" day. It’s when the egg dyeing happens and the frantic search for missing Easter basket grass begins. Honestly, it's the calm before the storm.
Then we hit the main event: Easter Sunday on April 20.
Sunrise services, massive brunches, and kids vibrating from sugar rushes. Since it's so late in April, the chances of a "White Easter" are basically zero for most of the U.S., and you're much more likely to see tulips and daffodils in full bloom.
Finally, there is Easter Monday on April 21.
While not a federal holiday in the United States, it is a huge deal in the UK, Canada, Australia, and much of Europe. Even in the U.S., some schools and businesses take the day off to recover from the weekend festivities. It’s also the day of the White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition that dates back to 1878.
The impact of a late April Easter
A late Easter changes the vibe of the entire spring season.
When Easter is in March, it often feels like the tail end of winter. You’re wearing a heavy coat over your Sunday best. But with Easter weekend 2025 landing on April 20, we are deep into "real" spring territory.
Expect higher prices for travel.
Since April 20 aligns closely with many school districts' spring breaks, flights and hotels are going to be pricey. If you are planning a trip to see family or hit a beach, you should probably book sooner rather than later.
Also, the flower industry is going to be in a frenzy. Lilies are the traditional flower of the season, and greenhouse growers have to precisely time their blooms. A late Easter gives them more time to prep, but it also means they are competing with the early demand for Mother’s Day flowers.
There's also the fashion aspect. You’ve heard the old "no white before Labor Day" rule? Well, Easter is usually the "permission" day to break out the pastels and lighter fabrics. In late April, you can actually wear those clothes without freezing.
Comparing 2025 to other years
To give you some perspective on how late this is, Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25.
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- 2024: March 31
- 2025: April 20
- 2026: April 5
- 2027: March 28
We are hitting the upper limit here. The next time Easter is this late won’t be for a while. It’s a bit of an outlier year.
Interestingly, Orthodox Easter (Pascha) often falls on a different date because the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian one. However, in a rare cosmic coincidence, in 2025, both Western and Orthodox Easters actually fall on the same day—April 20.
This doesn’t happen often. The last time the dates converged was 2017, and it won't happen again until 2028. For families that celebrate both traditions or have "mixed" households, 2025 is a convenient year where everything aligns.
Planning your 2025 festivities
If you're hosting, you have plenty of time to prepare, but don't let the late date fool you into procrastinating.
Start by thinking about the menu. Since it's late April, you can lean into seasonal produce that isn't always available for a March Easter. Think fresh asparagus, peas, and maybe even early strawberries.
- Check your travel dates. If you're flying, set up Google Flights alerts now for the window of April 17 to April 22.
- Reservations. If you have a specific brunch spot in mind, know that they will likely open reservations in February or early March.
- School schedules. Check if your local school district has a "floating" spring break or if it's tied to the holiday. Many districts in the Northeast tie their break to the third Monday in April (Patriots' Day), which in 2025 is April 21—the day after Easter.
It’s going to be a busy window.
Beyond the religious significance, Easter serves as a major economic driver. Retailers see a massive spike in candy sales—Peeeps and chocolate bunnies are a multi-billion dollar industry. Because 2025 is a late Easter, retailers will have a longer "spring" selling season, which usually leads to more elaborate outdoor and garden displays in stores.
Actionable steps for a stress-free April 20
To make the most of this unusually late holiday, take these specific steps over the next few months:
- Book lodging by November 2024: Because Easter 2025 coincides with many Spring Break schedules, prime vacation rentals will disappear early.
- Audit your spring wardrobe in March: Don't wait until the week before to realize the kids have outgrown their dress shoes or that your favorite linen shirt is stained.
- Plan for a "Spring" menu rather than a "Winter" one: Forget the heavy roasts if the weather is hitting 70 degrees; look into grilled lamb or lighter salmon dishes.
- Sync calendars with extended family now: Since Orthodox and Western Easter align this year, travel and hosting duties might be more complex if you have a large, diverse family.
April 20 will be here faster than you think. Enjoy the extra few weeks of "winter" peace before the spring madness begins.