Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead — an event described in the New Testament as occurring three days after his crucifixion. Unlike Christmas, Easter is a moveable feast: it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21), meaning the date can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. Easter Sunday is preceded by Holy Week and the fasting period of Lent (40 days), and followed by Eastertide (50 days).
Easter is a public holiday across the UK, Australia, Canada, the United States, and most of Europe and Latin America. In the UK, Australia and Canada, Good Friday (two days before Easter Sunday) and Easter Monday (the day after) are also public holidays, creating a four-day long weekend that is a major travel period. Australia sees its biggest domestic travel surge of the year over the Easter long weekend, and UK roads are among the busiest of the year on Easter Thursday and Friday.
Alongside its religious significance, Easter has a rich tradition of secular customs including egg decorating, egg hunts, hot cross buns and the Easter Bunny — traditions with roots in pre-Christian Germanic spring festivals. Chocolate Easter eggs have become the holiday's dominant commercial expression in the UK, Australia and Ireland: UK consumers spend over £400 million on Easter chocolate every year, while US spending on Easter exceeds $24 billion annually.
When is Easter 2027?
Easter Sunday 2027 falls on March 28, 2027.
When is Easter 2028?
Easter Sunday 2028 falls on April 16, 2028.
How is the date of Easter calculated?
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox (March 21). This calculation, known as the 'computus', means Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25.
Is Easter a public holiday?
Easter is a public holiday in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most European countries. In the UK, Australia and Canada, Good Friday and Easter Monday are also public holidays, creating a four-day weekend.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday in the UK, Australia, Canada and many other countries, though not a federal holiday in the US.
What is Easter Monday?
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is a public holiday in the UK, Australia, Canada and most of Europe. In the US it is not an official holiday.
Why do we have Easter eggs?
Eggs are an ancient symbol of new life and spring. The Christian tradition associates eggs with the resurrection. Decorated eggs date back to early Christian practice; chocolate eggs became popular after Cadbury introduced them in the UK in 1873.
What is the Easter Bunny?
The Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure that delivers chocolate eggs and gifts to children, similar to Santa Claus at Christmas. It derives from German-American immigrant traditions involving a hare delivering eggs on Easter morning.
What are hot cross buns?
Hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns marked with a white cross on top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the UK, Australia and parts of the Commonwealth. They are now sold from February onwards in supermarkets.
What do people eat on Easter?
Traditional Easter foods vary by country: roast lamb is traditional in many Christian cultures; in the UK, Australia and US, chocolate eggs and hot cross buns are staples. Easter Sunday lunch typically features a large family roast.