How is the Easter date determined?
Unlike Christmas or New Year’s Day, which are set in stone, Easter shifts around the calendar — sometimes in March, sometimes in April. In fact, it can be as early as 22nd March or as late as 25th April.
Interestingly, some dates have been more common than others. Easter has most frequently fallen on 31st March and 16th April, while the rarest date is 24th April.
Here's what to know about the Easter dates shifting every year..
How is the Easter date determined?
The date of Easter is linked to both the moon and the spring equinox — this is a tradition that dates back to early Christianity. Easter Sunday always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21st March (the spring equinox in the Church’s calendar).
If that full moon happens to fall on a Sunday, Easter is pushed back to the following Sunday. This means Easter can fall anywhere between 22nd March and 25th April in any given year.
The system was established centuries ago to create a consistent method for determining Easter across different Christian communities. However, as the full moon doesn’t always fall on the same date each year, Easter doesn't either.
Why is Easter determined by the moon?
You might wonder why not just pick a fixed date? The reason goes back to ancient traditions. Easter is linked to the first full moon after 21st March, which helps keep it close to springtime.
This connection to the moon also reflects themes of renewal and fresh beginnings. Following the lunar cycle, Easter always falls after the start of spring.
What date is Easter 2025?
In 2025, Easter falls quite late, on Sunday 20th April, almost a full month later than Easter 2024, which was on 31st March.
Here are the key Easter dates for 2025, so you can start planning your celebrations:
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day): 4th March
Ash Wednesday (Start of Lent): 5th March
Good Friday: 18th April
Easter Sunday: 20th April
Easter Monday (Bank Holiday): 21st April
If you’re travelling over the Easter break, it’s also worth noting that in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Easter is often celebrated on a different date due to the use of the Julian calendar. However, in 2025, both Western and Orthodox Easter fall on 20th April.
So, whether you’re planning a family feast, an Easter egg hunt, or a countryside getaway, now you know why 2025’s celebration is a little later than usual.
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