Easter Sunday 2025 will be celebrated on April 20, which is considered a very late Easter date. But why does Easter change dates every year, and why is it so late this time? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

When Is Easter 2025?

• Easter Sunday in 2025 will be observed on April 20, one of the latest possible dates it can fall on.
• Interestingly, both Western (Catholic/Protestant) and Eastern Orthodox churches will celebrate Easter on the same day — a rare alignment.

Why So Late in 2025?

Easter doesn’t have a fixed date like Christmas. It’s based on the lunar calendar and follows this rule:

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

• In 2025, the spring equinox is on March 20.
• The first full moon after that is on April 13.
• So, Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday — April 20.

How Easter Dates Vary

• Earliest possible date: March 22 (last in 1818, next in 2285)
• Latest possible date: April 25 (next in 2038)
• Most common dates: March 31 and April 16

Why Do We Celebrate Easter?

Easter is the most important Christian festival, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion. It signifies:

• Victory over death
• Redemption from sin
• A new beginning for all believers

How Christians Celebrate Easter

1. Church Services: Worship, prayer, and holy communion
2. Family Meals: Special Easter brunch or dinner, often with lamb as a traditional dish
3. Festive Traditions:

• Easter Eggs: Symbolize new life and Jesus’s resurrection
• Easter Bunny: A fun spring symbol introduced by German immigrants
• Candy & Chocolates: Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and colorful eggs are part of modern celebrations

What’s the Deal with Easter Eggs and the Bunny?

• Easter Eggs represent the empty tomb of Jesus and rebirth.
• Bunnies are ancient symbols of fertility and life.
• The Easter Bunny tradition came from German immigrants who brought the myth of the egg-laying bunny (Osterhase) to the U.S. in the 1700s.

Key Christian Dates in 2025

What Is Passover (Pesach)?

Passover is an important Jewish festival remembering the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. In 2025, it starts on April 12 and ends on April 20 — the same day as Easter, which connects both events historically.