Although the first day of spring is approaching, it doesn’t truly feel like we’re immersed in the season until Easter rolls around. With decorated eggs, the Easter Bunny, and a calendar full of outdoorsy family traditions, the holiday is practically synonymous with all things springtime.
Speaking of all those Easter activities, you’ll want to know the date! Easter always falls on a Sunday, but it changes each year, which leaves a lot of people wondering: how is it decided?
Before you bake hot cross buns or start stuffing baskets, get the details on whether the holiday lands early or late this year—and why the date is always different. Read on for more information on when Easter is in 2026, as well as the beginning and end dates for Lent. Then, be sure to mark your calendar, because the egg hunt waits for no one!
When Is Easter in 2026?
Easter falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026. That’s right in the sweet spot for peak spring vibes. So, consider it your official cue to start dreaming up al fresco brunch plans and getting your egg hunt game plan ready.
For reference, Easter has a surprisingly wide window each year. The earliest it can fall is March 22, but you won't have to worry about that for now—because the next time it'll be that early is in the year 2285! 😂 As for the latest it can take place, that would be on April 25. (Though, that hasn't happened since 1943.)
How Is the Date for Easter Determined Every Year?
Yes, Easter Sunday shifts each year, but it always falls within a specific date range. Easter can only happen between March 22 through April 25 (and that's if you’re talking the Gregorian calendar). But why is this the case? And how is the date picked out each year?
Well, believe it or not, it all has to do with the moon! The simplified version is that Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. And if you're wondering what that means, it's the first full moon after the vernal equinox. On years during which the first full moon of spring falls on a Sunday, Easter is observed the following week.
The moon's cycles played an important role in ancient times, and it remains the way the date of Jewish holidays are determined, including Passover. Eventually, Christians decided to observe Easter during the same time as Passover, with early celebrations occurring on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.
When Is Lent in 2026?
Easter's rotating date is why Lent also changes every year. In 2026, Lent will begin on Wednesday, February 18, and will last until Thursday, April 2. The Easter date is decided first, and then the season of Lent is determined from that day. That means that Ash Wednesday is on February 18, Holy Thursday is on April 2, and Good Friday is on Friday, April 3. (All that's left to figure out is what to give up on Lent this year.)
What Is The Most Common Easter Date?
Last year, Easter was in late April and this year it's in early April, but it also commonly falls in March. Given that, you might be wondering what the most common Easter date is. Since Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, it can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. However, historical calculations show that April 16 is the most frequent Easter date in the Gregorian calendar, occurring more often than any other date.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
