Easter Sunday 2027 — How Many Days Until Easter Sunday?

About Easter Sunday

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. Unlike Christmas, Easter is a moveable feast — its date changes each year according to a formula tied to the lunar calendar.

The date of Easter is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after the spring equinox (21 March). This can place Easter anywhere between 22 March and 25 April. Western churches (Catholic and Protestant) use the Gregorian calendar for this calculation; Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, so their Easter often falls one or five weeks later.

Easter traditions vary widely by culture. In the UK and US, the Easter Bunny delivers chocolate eggs; in Greece, families crack red-dyed eggs; in Sweden, children dress as Easter witches. The egg itself is an ancient symbol of new life that pre-dates Christianity and was absorbed into Easter celebrations across Europe. The 40-day fasting period of Lent leading up to Easter is observed by Catholics and many Protestant denominations worldwide.

Easter can fall on any date between 22 March and 25 April in the Western calendar
The word "Easter" likely derives from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon spring goddess
Easter is the highest-attended church service of the year across all Christian denominations
The world consumes around 80 million Easter eggs in the UK alone each year
Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in over 100 countries

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Easter?

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March. The date changes every year — use the countdown above to find out exactly when the next Easter is.

Why does the date of Easter change each year?

Easter is a moveable feast tied to the lunar calendar. The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 set the rule: first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox.

Is Easter a public holiday?

Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in the UK, Australia, Canada, and most of Europe. In the US, Easter Sunday itself is not a federal holiday, but many businesses close.

What is the difference between Western and Orthodox Easter?

Western churches calculate Easter using the Gregorian calendar; Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar. The result is that Orthodox Easter often falls one to five weeks after Western Easter.