Easter Sunday 2025 in the United States

Easter Sunday is considered one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the United States, it is commonly observed by attending church services, joining Easter egg hunts, and sharing meals with family and friends.

Is Easter Sunday a Public Holiday?

Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, April 20, 2025 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.

When Is Easter Sunday?

The date of Easter changes every year. It is calculated based on lunar cycles and ancient church traditions.

In the Gregorian calendar, used by most Western nations, Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.

Orthodox Easter, on the other hand, is calculated based on the Julian calendar, which usually results in a later Easter date—sometimes up to 5 weeks after Western Easter.

Who Celebrates Easter in the US?

Easter is a major religious event for many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communities.

However, it is also widely observed by people who are not Christian through secular traditions like egg hunts, parades, and family meals.

How Do People in the US Celebrate Easter?

Easter Sunday is widely observed across the United States, blending Christian traditions with secular customs that may vary by region and community. The most common Easter traditions include:

• Attending church services, including sunrise services held outdoors in parks, gardens, or even national monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
• Decorating and hiding colorful eggs, often made of chocolate, plastic, or dyed hard-boiled eggs.
• Organizing Easter egg hunts for children. These are held in neighborhoods, parks, churches, and community centers.
• Taking part in egg rolls, including the White House Easter Egg Roll, held on the Monday after Easter. This tradition dates back to 1878.
• Exchanging Easter baskets filled with candy, toys, and small gifts.
• Hosting family gatherings, such as brunches, lunches, or backyard barbecues, often featuring dishes like roast lamb or ham, devilled eggs, and spring vegetables.
• Joining Easter parades, especially in cities like New York, where people wear bright spring outfits and decorated bonnets.
• Calling, video calling, or messaging relatives when families are apart, keeping loved ones connected across distances.

Eggs, lamb, and Jollof: Easter food traditions around the world

Easter Sunday in the US: What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday in the United States. However, since it falls on a Sunday, most government offices, banks, and public institutions are already closed.

Many retail stores may also be closed or operate with reduced Sunday hours, especially in smaller towns or regions with strong religious observances.

Public transport typically follows a regular Sunday schedule, which usually means fewer routes and longer wait times. In smaller cities or rural areas, public transport may not operate at all.

Travelers are advised to check with local transit providers for the most accurate and up-to-date information if planning to travel on Easter Sunday.

Why Does the Date Change?

Easter is a movable feast, meaning it does not have a fixed date on the calendar. Instead, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon—the first Full Moon on or after March 21, according to the Church’s ecclesiastical calendar.

To calculate the date of Easter, the Christian Church uses March 21 as the fixed date for the spring equinox, even though the actual astronomical equinox can occur on March 19, 20, or 21.

This method was established by Christian Bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE to unify the celebration across the Christian world.

Because the lunar cycle doesn’t align perfectly with the calendar months, Easter can fall on a different Sunday each year.

Learn more about calculating the Easter date

Easter Symbols

Easter in the US is associated with bright spring colors, pastel decorations, and a mix of Christian and seasonal symbols:

• Eggs symbolize new life and are often dyed, painted, or decorated in bright colors. They are used in popular activities like egg hunts and egg rolling games.
• The Easter Bunny is a folklore character believed to deliver eggs and treats to children. It has become one of the most recognizable secular symbols of Easter in the US.
• Rabbits and chicks represent fertility and the renewal of life, as both animals are commonly born in spring. They are widely featured in Easter imagery and decorations.
• The Easter lily is the traditional flower of Easter, symbolizing purity, joy, and the resurrection of Jesus. It is commonly used to decorate churches and homes during the Easter season.
• The cross is the central Christian symbol of Easter, representing Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. It serves as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, redemption, and eternal life.

About Easter Sunday in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.