When is Easter 2025? Important Dates for Lent, Holy Week, and More

Julie Anne L.
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Easter 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20, by both Catholic and Orthodox Christians. This year, both branches of Christianity observe Easter on the same day, a rare occurrence that won’t happen again until 2028.

Easter 2025
Photo via Gabe Pierce

Why is Easter 2025 Later Than Usual?

Easter’s date changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar rather than a fixed date. According to the Gregorian calendar, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21). In 2025, the full moon occurs later, pushing Easter to April 20—the latest it can fall is April 25.

Key Dates Leading Up to Easter 2025

Understanding the timeline of Lent and Holy Week helps you prepare for the season’s religious observances.

Ash Wednesday:
  • Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
  • Significance: Marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection. Christians receive ashes on their foreheads to symbolize repentance and mortality.
Lent:
  • Start Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
  • End Date:
    • Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday): April 17, 2025, for many Christian traditions.
    • Holy Saturday: April 19, 2025, for others, including some Protestant denominations.
  • Purpose: Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert. It encourages prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. Many Christians abstain from meat on Fridays during this period.

Holy Week 2025 Schedule

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and leads to Easter Sunday. Each day holds significant meaning in the Christian faith.

Palm Sunday:
  • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
  • Meaning: Commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeted by crowds waving palm branches.
Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday):
  • Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • Significance: Observes the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist. The word “Maundy” derives from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “commandment,” referencing Jesus’ command to love one another.
Good Friday:
  • Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
  • Importance: Marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Christians often fast and attend services to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice.
Holy Saturday:
  • Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
  • Purpose: A day of waiting and prayer, recognizing the time Jesus lay in the tomb before his resurrection.
Easter Sunday: The Celebration of Resurrection
  • Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
  • Meaning: Celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, symbolizing hope, renewal, and triumph over sin and death. According to the Gospels, women found Jesus’ tomb empty on the third day after his crucifixion.
Traditions and Celebrations:
  • Church services: Many attend sunrise services to mark the resurrection.
  • Family meals: Easter brunches and dinners often feature festive foods.
  • Easter egg hunts: Symbolize new life and are popular among children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Easter’s date change every year?

Easter depends on the lunar cycle and the spring equinox. It falls between March 22 and April 25 each year.

Can you eat meat on Easter Sunday?

Yes. Lent ends before Easter, so many resume eating meat on Easter Sunday. However, some may choose to continue fasting depending on personal or religious traditions.

Is Good Friday a public holiday?

While Good Friday is significant, it’s not a federal holiday in the U.S. Whether you have the day off depends on your state or employer.

When is Mardi Gras 2025?
  • Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
  • Significance: Known as Fat Tuesday, it’s the final day before Lent. Traditionally, people enjoy rich foods before the season of fasting begins.
When is Palm Sunday in 2025?

Palm Sunday falls on April 13, 2025, marking the start of Holy Week.

What is the Good Friday Agreement?

The Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, ended decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. It is unrelated to the religious observance of Good Friday but shares the name due to the signing date.

School Breaks Around Easter

Most schools in the U.S. observe spring break during Holy Week. In 2025, students typically get time off between April 14 and April 18, extending into the Easter weekend.

Easter 2025 arrives later than usual, landing on April 20. Whether you observe Lent, attend Holy Week services, or enjoy family traditions, this season offers an opportunity for reflection, community, and celebration.

Planning ahead helps you make the most of these important dates.

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Hey, it's Julie! Fueled by coffee and cuddles from my 5 feline overlords, I'm on a perpetual quest for the perfect plate. When I'm not exploring new restos, you'll find me curled up with a good book or planning my next adventure.

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