Easter is a celebration of spring, family, and, for Christians, the most important day of the year. Its date changes every year, so this live countdown shows exactly how many days are left until Easter Sunday, along with the dates for the years ahead.
Easter at a glance
- Next date
- Sunday, March 28, 2027
- Day of the week
- Sunday
- How the date is set
- Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21, so it can be any Sunday from March 22 to April 25
- Category
- Holidays
Easter dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Sunday | |
| 2030 | Sunday | |
| 2031 | Sunday |
Why Easter moves every year
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Unlike Christmas, it is tied to the lunar cycle: in 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea set Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Churches use a fixed date of March 21 for the equinox and tables of "ecclesiastical" full moons, which means Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25.
Many Orthodox churches calculate Easter using the older Julian calendar, so Orthodox Easter often falls one or more weeks later than the date used by most American churches.
Easter traditions in the U.S.
Easter weekend begins with Good Friday and ends with Easter Sunday church services, family brunches, and dinners of ham or lamb. For kids, the highlight is the Easter Bunny, a tradition brought to America by German immigrants, who leaves baskets of candy and hides colorful eggs.
The White House Easter Egg Roll, held on the Monday after Easter since 1878, is one of the oldest annual events at the White House.
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter 2027?
Easter 2027 is on Sunday, March 28, 2027. Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21, so it can be any Sunday from March 22 to April 25.
How many days until Easter?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until Easter, calculated for your local time zone.
What is the earliest and latest date Easter can be?
In the Western calendar, Easter Sunday can fall as early as March 22 and as late as April 25.
Is Good Friday a federal holiday?
No. Neither Good Friday nor Easter Monday is a federal holiday in the United States, although some states, schools, and businesses close on Good Friday. The stock market is typically closed that day.