When is Easter Sunday?
First Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21. Here is the date, the background and what to know before you make plans.
Next Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 28, 2027Easter Sunday dates, 2026–2031
Rule: First Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21.
What’s open on Easter
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Closed Closed (Sunday closure, not a federal holiday closure) |
| Post Office / Mail delivery | Closed No regular delivery (Sunday) |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Closed Closed on Good Friday, the trading holiday tied to Easter weekend; open on Easter Sunday since markets don’t trade Sundays anyway |
| Federal & most state government offices | Closed Closed (Sunday closure) |
| Public schools | Closed Closed (weekend, often within a spring break week) |
Easter always falls on a Sunday, so banks, government offices and schools are closed the way they would be on any Sunday; the notable date to watch is Good Friday, when U.S. stock markets close even though it isn’t a federal holiday. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
The story behind Easter
Easter is the central holiday of the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. Its date moves every year, between late March and late April, because it is tied to a church calculation of the spring full moon (explained below).
Many Easter customs predate Christianity and were absorbed from spring fertility celebrations, including the symbolism of eggs and rabbits as signs of new life and renewal.
How the date is calculated
Western Easter falls on the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after March 21. The ecclesiastical calculation uses a fixed church calendar rather than the instant of the astronomical full moon. In the Gregorian calendar, Western Easter can fall from March 22 through April 25.
Many Orthodox churches use a different calendar calculation, so Orthodox Easter may fall on another Sunday. If a gathering includes people from different traditions, confirm which Easter date they observe.
How it’s celebrated
In the U.S., Easter blends religious observance with secular traditions: sunrise church services, Easter egg hunts, baskets of candy, and the White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition dating back to 1878. Many families also treat the surrounding week as a school spring break.
Because Easter’s date depends on the moon, it can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 — a five-week window that makes it the most variable major holiday on the U.S. calendar.
Plan the weekend
Check Good Friday hours separately. It is not a U.S. federal holiday, although some states, schools and employers close. Easter Sunday itself is not a federal holiday either, and Easter Monday is not generally a U.S. public holiday.
For a shared meal, ask about dietary needs and the timing of services before choosing a reservation. Spring travel and popular brunches often fill early; confirm hours directly with the venue.
Easter weekend planning checklist
- Three to four weeks ahead: check service times, brunch reservations and ticketed community events.
- One week ahead: confirm store, transit and attraction hours for Sunday.
- Two days ahead: review weather and any outdoor egg-hunt backup plans.
- Good Friday: remember that U.S. stock markets close even though it is not a federal holiday.
Frequently asked questions
Does Easter fall on the same date every year?
No. Western Easter follows an ecclesiastical calendar rule and changes year to year.
Is Easter a federal holiday in the United States?
No. Individual states, schools, employers and businesses set their own schedules.
Is the Easter full moon the same as the astronomical full moon?
Not necessarily. The church calculation uses an ecclesiastical approximation.
When is Easter in 2027?
Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027.
Does the date of Easter affect school spring break?
Sometimes, but not universally. Districts set their own spring-break calendars, so use the current local school calendar.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.