When is Easter?
Easter is on April 5, 2026. Here's what it means and how to observe it.
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April 5, 2026
What it is
Easter Sunday is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (March 21), which is why the date shifts every year.
Origin
Rooted in the Jewish Passover, the earliest Christians celebrated Christ's resurrection on the Sunday following Passover. The current Western calculation was fixed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
How to observe
Most Christian traditions mark Easter with sunrise services, choral Masses, baptisms, and family meals. Lent (40 days of fasting) leads up to Easter and ends on Holy Saturday.
Easter dates 2025–2030
- 2026April 5, 2026
- 2027March 28, 2027
- 2028April 16, 2028
- 2029April 1, 2029
- 2030April 21, 2030
Popular questions about Easter
When is Easter 2026?
Easter 2026 is on April 5, 2026.
Why does the date of Easter change every year?
Rooted in the Jewish Passover, the earliest Christians celebrated Christ's resurrection on the Sunday following Passover. The current Western calculation was fixed by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
How do people observe Easter?
Most Christian traditions mark Easter with sunrise services, choral Masses, baptisms, and family meals. Lent (40 days of fasting) leads up to Easter and ends on Holy Saturday.
Is Easter a public holiday?
Easter is a major Christian observance. Whether it is a public holiday depends on your country — in the US it is not federally recognized as a day off.