When is Easter?
Easter Day is always on a Sunday, but unlike Christmas Day its date changes each year. Easter falls on the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, around 21 March. This means it can be as early as 22 March or as late as 25 April.
Easter can also be celebrated on different dates in different parts of the world. Western churches, including those in the UK, use the Gregorian calendar to calculate the date. Many Eastern churches use the older Julian calendar.
Easter Sunday dates
| Year | Western ChurchesWestern | Eastern ChurchesEastern |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 April 2026 | 12 April 2026 |
| 2027 | 28 March 2027 | 2 May 2027 |
What is Easter?
Easter is the most important Christian festival. Christians are followers of Jesus Christ, who lived about 2,000 years ago in a country called Judea. They believe that Jesus was the Son of God. At Easter, Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life, his death and his resurrection.
How did Easter get its name?
Long before Christianity, some people in Europe worshipped a spring goddess called Eostre. They celebrated the return of stronger sunlight and new life in spring. Some believe that the English name Easter came from her name.
Follow the Easter festival timeline to learn about the important days leading up to Easter Sunday.
