Countdown to Easter Sunday
When is Easter Sunday? Date, facts & history →Countdown Location
By default, holidays are counted down to midnight in your local time. You can change this below.
Easter is the central feast of the Christian year, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the arrival of spring across the Northern Hemisphere. Because Easter is a moveable feast, its date shifts each year, and the countdown above tracks the next Easter Sunday so you always know how long remains.
From sunrise services to chocolate eggs and family gatherings, Easter carries deep religious meaning alongside cheerful springtime customs. Watch the timer above and use the planning tools below, since unlike fixed holidays, Easter takes a little calculation each year.
When is Easter?
In Western Christianity, Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox. As a result, it can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25, and the date changes every year. Orthodox churches often use the Julian calendar and celebrate on a different Sunday. The countdown above points to the next Western Easter Sunday. To count the days yourself, try the date duration calculator or the time until calculator.
Origins and history of Easter
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, described in the Christian gospels as occurring on the third day after his crucifixion. The timing was tied to the Jewish Passover, which follows a lunar calendar, which is why Easter remains a moveable feast. In 325, the Council of Nicaea set the formula linking Easter to the spring full moon. Many spring symbols such as eggs and hares predate the holiday and were woven into its customs over the centuries.
How Easter is celebrated
- Attending church services, including sunrise and vigil services.
- Decorating and hunting for colorful Easter eggs.
- Sharing a festive meal with family, often featuring lamb or ham.
- Giving chocolate eggs and visiting the Easter Bunny.
- Marking Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through Good Friday.
Wondering how many days separate Easter from another date? The date calculator can help.
Easter FAQ
Why does the date of Easter change every year?
Easter is a moveable feast tied to the spring full moon. It is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox, so the date shifts annually.
What is the earliest and latest Easter can fall?
In Western Christianity, Easter Sunday can fall as early as March 22 and as late as April 25, depending on the timing of the spring full moon.
Why do Orthodox churches celebrate Easter on a different day?
Many Orthodox churches calculate Easter using the older Julian calendar, so their date often differs from the Western date and sometimes falls weeks later.
What is the connection between Easter and Passover?
The Christian gospels place the resurrection around the Jewish Passover, which follows a lunar calendar. That link is why Easter is calculated from a full moon.
Why are eggs associated with Easter?
Eggs are an ancient symbol of new life and rebirth, fitting the themes of resurrection and spring. They were adopted into Easter customs over many centuries.