When is Easter?
Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21). This means Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25. The date is calculated using the Gregorian algorithm (Meeus/Jones/Butcher).
How is the Easter date calculated?
The Easter date is determined by ecclesiastical rules established in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea. The calculation uses a fixed ecclesiastical "full moon" table rather than the actual astronomical full moon, which is why Easter sometimes seems to miss the real full moon.
Frequently asked questions
When is Easter 2026?
Easter 2026 falls on April 5, 2026. The countdown above updates automatically to show the next upcoming Easter.
When is Easter 2027?
Easter 2027 falls on March 28, 2027.
Why does Easter change every year?
Easter is a moveable feast tied to the lunar calendar. It falls on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21.
Is Orthodox Easter the same date?
No. Orthodox Easter (Eastern Christianity) uses the Julian calendar for the calculation, which often results in a different date, typically 1–5 weeks after Western Easter.