When Is Easter? The Meaning, Traditions, and Celebration of Spring’s Joyful Holiday

Discover the spring holiday’s roots, customs, and fresh ideas for memorable gatherings.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 8, 2025

Discover the spring holiday’s roots, customs, and fresh ideas for memorable gatherings.

Easter is a special holiday observed by millions around the world, weaving together deep religious roots, vibrant springtime traditions, and joyous family gatherings. But have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date each year, how its most cherished customs originated, or how families bring its spirit to life in their homes? Dive into the story of Easter—its moving meaning, enduring history, fun traditions, and heartwarming ways to celebrate.

What Is Easter?

Easter is the most significant holiday in Christianity, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion. Traditionally, it symbolizes renewal, hope, and the promise of new life—a message beautifully echoed in the early blooms and lengthening days of spring.

The celebration isn’t limited to church: for many, Easter also brings family brunches, colorful eggs, community events, and a spirit of togetherness that extends beyond religious markings. It’s a holiday where time-honored rituals blend with unique family customs to make the day both meaningful and fun.

When Is Easter 2025—and Why Does the Date Change Every Year?

Easter’s date changes each year, unlike holidays like Christmas, which always falls on December 25th. This variability often prompts the question: Why does Easter move?

The reason lies with the lunar calendar and traditions dating back to early Christianity and even older Jewish practices. Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (March 21). Consequently, Easter Sunday always falls between March 22 and April 25.

Year	Easter Date
2023	April 9
2024	March 31
2025	April 20
2026	April 5

This movable schedule is set by calculations developed during the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., seeking to align Easter with the Jewish festival of Passover and the timing described in the Christian Bible.

How Is the Easter Date Determined?

The spring equinox (March 21) marks the astronomical start of spring.
The Paschal Full Moon is the first full moon on or after the equinox.
Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon.

This means that, depending on the phase of the moon and the day it falls in relation to the equinox, Easter may occur in late March or any time up to late April.

Religious Roots of Easter: The Holy Week

Easter isn’t a standalone day; it crowns a week filled with deep spiritual significance. Here’s a quick overview of the key days:

Palm Sunday: Marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the Last Supper.
Good Friday: Observes Jesus’ crucifixion and sacrifice.
Holy Saturday: A day of waiting, representing the time Jesus lay in the tomb.
Easter Sunday: Celebrates the resurrection and victory over death, the cornerstone of Christian faith.

These sacred days, collectively known as Holy Week, draw believers into the narrative of hope, sorrow, and ultimate joy at the heart of Easter.

Popular Easter Traditions and How They Evolved

Easter brings together religious symbols with customs that have grown over centuries—many entwined with spring’s promise of rebirth and renewal. Here’s a glimpse at the holiday’s most familiar and beloved traditions:

The Easter Bunny & Egg Hunts

The Easter Bunny is thought to have been inspired by ancient fertility symbols and popularized in America by German immigrants in the 1700s.
Easter eggs symbolize new life and spring’s renewal. Coloring eggs is rooted in Medieval and Orthodox Christian practices, where eggs symbolized Jesus’ empty tomb.
Egg hunts add excitement for children and adults alike. Families hide colorful eggs, filled with candy or treats, and set kids on a hunt—a custom that’s central to many households’ celebrations.

Easter Baskets and Joyful Morning Surprises

Children wake up to Easter baskets packed with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, jellybeans, and special gifts.
Some families create elaborate scavenger hunts with clues leading to hidden treats and surprises.

Favorite Family Easter Traditions: Personal Stories

Across the country, families treasure unique traditions that make Easter weekend extra meaningful. According to readers of The Pioneer Woman, some favorites include:

Gathering the whole family for a huge egg hunt in the backyard—with cash prizes for the winners and friendly competition for all ages.
Baking and enjoying hot cross buns on Good Friday—a tradition that marks the end of Lent and the anticipation of Easter’s celebration.
Attending sunrise service at church, embracing the hope and joy that Easter brings as the new day dawns.
Preparing favorite family recipes—like deviled eggs, glazed ham, pea salad, and lots of sweet desserts—to enjoy together after the spiritual observance.
Quirky local customs such as the “slinging of the Peeps”—where marshmallow chicks are launched with slingshots and caught in butterfly nets, creating laughter across generations.

Special Foods for the Easter Table

Food is central to most Easter celebrations, blending seasonal produce, traditional breads, festive main dishes, and sweet treats. In many families, the menu brings together recipes passed down through generations. Some favorites from Ree Drummond’s ranch in Oklahoma include:

Glazed ham: The centerpiece, served up with a bounty of vegetables and sides.
Deviled eggs: Essential for any Easter spread, using up hard-boiled eggs from the hunt.
Hot cross buns: Spiced, fruited rolls marked with a cross—baked on Good Friday as a rich tradition.
Carrot cake: A beloved dessert, sometimes decorated as a “bird’s nest” or enjoyed simply frosted and spiced.
Other dishes: Cheesy asparagus casserole, pea salad, lemon chess pie, roasted potatoes, and bird’s nest cookies bring extra flavor and fun to the meal.

Sample Easter Menu Table

Dish	Description
Glazed Ham	Sweet and savory, with a honey or brown sugar coating
Deviled Eggs	Classic, with a creamy yolk-mustard filling
Hot Cross Buns	Spiced rolls with currants and a cross of icing
Cheesy Asparagus Casserole	Baked with fresh asparagus and gooey cheese
Carrot Cake	Rich, moist, topped with cream cheese icing

Making Easter Meaningful: Ways to Celebrate

Easter isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about moments together and creating joyful memories. Here are ways you can make the day extra special, inspired by The Pioneer Woman community:

Attend church services as a family to mark the spiritual foundation of the holiday.
Host an outdoor egg hunt, inviting friends and neighbors for friendly competition and laughter.
Prepare personalized Easter baskets for kids (and sometimes adults!), tailoring treats and gifts to their personalities.
Decorate eggs and make crafts: Get creative with paints, stickers, or even natural dyes to make colorful eggs. DIY bunny garlands or turn mandarin oranges into mini bunnies for edible crafts.
Share a meal: Gather round the table—whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner—for favorite recipes that symbolize abundance and joy.
Give back: Easter is a time for generosity. Volunteer at a food pantry, plant flowers in a community space, or organize a charity drive as a way to share the holiday’s hope with others.
Visit a local farm: Take the opportunity to pick up fresh eggs, meet baby animals, and celebrate the arrival of spring in the great outdoors.

Modern Family Easter: A Seasonal Gathering

For many, Easter is one of the rare occasions that brings everyone—parents, grandparents, kids, grandkids, even family pets—together. Stories from the Drummond family on the ranch showcase this spirit each year:

Church attendance: The Drummond family keeps tradition by gathering in the same church they’ve attended for years, with everyone dressed in their best spring outfits.
Easter brunch: After church, the table fills with biscuits, gravy, pastries, and hearty dishes (sometimes served on paper plates, for simplicity and togetherness).
Egg hunts continue, even as kids grow up—cash prizes up the ante and make the event just as thrilling for teens and adults as for little ones.
Baskets for all ages: Even grown children and grandchildren get in on the basket fun, sometimes receiving personalized totes or sweet-smelling lavender bunnies.
Memories and new beginnings: Easter becomes a time not only to remember loved ones but also to mark new arrivals and milestones—like welcoming new babies or family pets to the gang.

Unique and Creative Easter Activities

Track the Easter Bunny: Using online resources, kids can “follow” the Easter Bunny’s journey on Easter Eve—building anticipation for the big morning.
Bake a classic Easter cake: Carrot cake is a beloved favorite, but any homemade dessert brings sweetness to the occasion.
Make Easter crafts: Get hands-on with the family by creating springtime decorations or simple bunny-themed snacks and crafts.
Tell family stories: Use Easter gatherings as an opportunity to share memories, pass down recipes, and reminisce about holidays past.
Plan a family walk or outdoor activity: Celebrate the return of warm weather with a stroll, park visit, or nature scavenger hunt to kick off the new season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Easter

Q: Why does Easter fall on a different date every year?

A: Easter’s date is based on the lunar calendar: it’s the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This moves annually between March 22 and April 25.

Q: What are some traditional foods served on Easter?

A: Glazed ham, deviled eggs, hot cross buns, carrot cake, pea salad, roasted potatoes, and sweet spring desserts are among the most popular dishes on Easter tables across the country.

Q: What are the most popular Easter traditions?

A: Egg hunts, Easter baskets, sunrise church services, festive meals, and crafting or decorating eggs are beloved traditions for many families. Creative spins—like slinging Peeps or online bunny trackers—add even more fun each year.

Q: How long have people been celebrating Easter?

A: Easter has been celebrated for over 1,700 years. It has roots in early Christianity and was formalized as an annual tradition by the Council of Nicaea in the 4th century.

Q: Are there ways to make Easter more meaningful for kids?

A: Yes! Involve kids in preparing food, decorating eggs, participating in community service, reading the Easter story together, and creating new family rituals they’ll cherish for years.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Easter’s Meaning and Joy

Easter stands as a vibrant celebration of faith, hope, and the promise of renewal. Whether you gather in church, decorate eggs, feast on seasonal foods, or simply spend quality time with loved ones, the holiday offers an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. However you choose to honor Easter, embracing its traditions old and new makes the day truly special—a joyful start to spring and a reminder of life’s enduring wonder.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb