When Is Easter 2026? Why Does Easter Change Date?

Every year, the question arises: When is Easter?

Unlike Christmas, which is fixed on December 25th, Easter Sunday changes annually, creating confusion for church planners and families alike. For 2026, the date for Easter Sunday is Sunday, April 5th.

For centuries, it's not the calendar that determines Easter but the moon's position.

This makes Easter a movable feast. Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full first moon that comes after March 21st. This means that, unlike Christmas with its fixed date of 25th December, Easter changes year-on-year.

Last year Easter was on the 20th of April, and before that, it was on the 31st of March.

Remember:

Easter is the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox (March 21st).

But what's so special about March 21st and the vernal equinox?

March 21st is the Church's date for the March Equinox. It's the turning point in the year when the days begin to get longer and lighter again. Whilst the actual March Equinox can take place a couple of days either side of the 21st, depending on the time zone.

This first full moon goes by another name: the Paschal Full Moon.

That name Paschal, which relates to Passover, also turns up in a couple of other places in Easter. Most significantly in Paschal Candles, which are large white liturgical candles used in the Church. The biggest candle in a Church will always be the Paschal candle.

Because we can plot the dates of full moons after the March Equinox, the future dates of Easter can be figured out.

When is Easter for the next five years?

2027 - Sunday 28th March

2028 - Sunday 16th April

2029 - Sunday 1st April

2030 - Sunday 21st April

2031 - Sunday 13th April

But Easter isn't just one date. It's a season. There are a number of key celebrations and remembrances over the season of Easter. When someone asks, 'When is Easter?', the day in question is known as Easter Sunday.

Yet, the Easter season is filled with meaningful days.

Before Easter Sunday, the days are known as Lent and Holy Week and focus on the coming death of Christ in the Gospels. Afterwards, and up to Pentecost, it's called Eastertide, and it focuses on the resurrection of Christ and the coming of God's Spirit. When is Easter and its key dates?

The key dates of Easter 2026:

Lent begins (Ash Wednesday 2026) on Wednesday, February 18th

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent (40 days of fasting and prayer).

Palm Sunday is on Sunday, March 29th 2026

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday 2026 is on Thursday, April 2nd

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper.

Good Friday 2026 is on April 3rd

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday 2026 is on April 5th

Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ascension Day 2026 is on May 14th

Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter, marking Jesus’ ascent to heaven.

Pentecost Sunday 2026 is on May 24th

Pentecost Sunday is 50 days after Easter, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit.

After answering 'when is Easter?', you may still have some questions. Why do we still celebrate Easter? What is the best way to celebrate Easter?

To find out more about the meaning of Easter, here are a couple of books that we think share the Easter message in a clear and memorable way:

Why Easter?

"Why Easter? is the Easter version of Nicky Gumbel's popular Alpha Course booklet, 'Why Jesus?'

It's easy to read the 24-page guest manual with useful illustrations from Charlie Mackesy (the author and illustrator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) in a single sitting.

"Why Easter?" explores the following areas:

• Why Easter?
• Why do we need Jesus?
• How do we know Christianity is true?
• Who is Jesus?
• Why did he come?
• Why did he die?
• Common excuses for not accepting the gift
• What do we have to do?
• A simple prayer to start your relationship with God
• What now?

Click here to buy Why Easter?

Journey to the Empty Tomb

"Journey to the Empty Tomb is a gift of biblical scholarship to the worship of the Church and to personal faith from the bestselling author Paula Gooder.

Accessible and informed, it is aimed at all who wish to gain a fuller understanding of the Bible through its key themes and subjects. It is rooted in the conviction that greater understanding leads to deeper devotion. and will also be invaluable for preachers, worship and study group leaders looking for fresh inspiration at a key time in the church's year. This volume focuses on the events leading up to the first Easter - the Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus that are at the very heart of the Christian faith.

Beginning with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ending at the empty tomb, Paula uses her extensive knowledge of the world of the New Testament, its language and culture, to reveal fresh and startling insights and to open up hidden depths in these familiar stories."

Click here to buy Journey to the Empty Tomb

Visit our Easter Store for even more Easter cards, Easter books and resources. Don't forget to get your Meaningful Chocolate Easter Eggs early this year!