Easter is just around the corner, but many people are wondering why it falls so late in April this year.
Unlike Christmas, which is always celebrated on December 25, Easter is a movable holiday, meaning its date changes annually.
In 2025, Easter Sunday will be on April 20 which is significantly later than in previous years.
So, what determines when Easter occurs, and why is it so late this time?
The reason behind Easter’s changing date
Easter’s timing depends on two key factors:
- The Harvest Moon: According to tradition, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox (the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere).
- The Gregorian calendar: The calculations use an “ecclesiastical moon” (an approximation of the astronomical moon) rather than the exact astronomical event.
In 2025, the March equinox occurred on March 20, and the next full moon after that will be on April 13. The following Sunday, April 20, is Easter Sunday.
Why is Easter later than usual in 2025?
Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25.
This year, the full moon, April 13, happens later in the month which pushes Easter toward the end of its possible range.
Key Points
In 2023, the full moon was on April 6, making Easter fall on April 9.
In 2025, the full moon is on April 13, meaning Easter lands on April 20.
Essentially, Easter is late in 2025 because the first full moon after the March equinox doesn’t occur until mid-April, delaying the holiday.
This shift is simply due to the way lunar cycles and the calendar align this year.
