Can Easter ever fall on March 21?

No. The rule says the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21, so the earliest possible date is March 22.

Why does Easter move so much each year?

Because the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, and the spring equinox is fixed at March 21. The full moon date shifts each year, pushing Easter to different Sundays.

Is Good Friday a federal holiday?

No. Good Friday is not a US federal holiday, though some states or businesses observe it.

How often do Western and Orthodox Easter fall on the same day?

It happens occasionally, but not every year. The calendar differences mean they align only when the Julian and Gregorian dates coincide, which is rare.

How the Date of Easter Is Set Each Year

Easter Sunday moves each year because it follows a lunar cycle, not a fixed date. The rule was set in the 4th century: Easter is the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon that falls on or after March 21. That mix of astronomy and church tradition means the holiday can land anywhere from late March to late April. Knowing the rule lets you lock in travel plans years ahead, whether you need the 2027 date or Easter 2028.

The Basic Easter Date Rule

What Triggers the Date

The core rule for Western churches is straightforward. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that happens on or after the spring equinox, which the church fixes at March 21. This is the ecclesiastical full moon, not the astronomical one. The rule means Easter cannot happen before March 22 or after April 25. That range explains why the date shifts: the lunar cycle moves the full moon relative to our months.

Because the rule uses a fixed March 21 equinox and a simplified lunar cycle, the date repeats on a pattern called the Gregorian Easter cycle. For practical purposes, you only need the Sunday rule and the full moon trigger.

History of the Easter Rule

Where the Formula Began

The rule dates back to the Council of Nicaea. Church leaders wanted a uniform way to set Easter, replacing earlier methods that varied by region. They tied Easter to the spring equinox and the full moon, but used a simplified calculation rather than actual sky observations. This system became the standard for Western Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different timetable for the calculation. They use the Julian reckoning instead of the Gregorian, so their Easter often falls on a different Sunday. The rule itself is the same, but the equinox date and full moon tables differ, leading to separate dates.

Upcoming Easter Dates

Mark these Western Easter Sundays:

April 5, 2026
March 28, 2027
April 16, 2028

Watch how the date jumps from early April to late March to mid April. That is the lunar cycle at work. For 2027, Easter is relatively early. Book flights and accommodation by October the year before; the late-March window catches families off guard. In 2028 the date pushes into mid April, which aligns with many school breaks and fills hotels faster.

Related Dates Good Friday and Easter Monday

Good Friday is two days before Easter Sunday. If Easter lands on March 28, 2027, Good Friday falls on a late March date. Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. These dates matter if you are planning a long weekend around Holy Week, but neither is a US federal holiday. Confirm local closures before you book non-refundable travel on those days.

Why Easter is Not a Federal Holiday

Easter is not a US federal holiday. Federal holidays are set by law for government offices, banks, and many schools. Easter Sunday always falls on a weekend, and most federal holidays sit on weekdays. That is why US holiday guides skip it. Many businesses and schools close on Good Friday or Easter Monday, but that decision is local. Check your destination's municipal calendar before you go.

How the Date is Calculated Step by Step

The Ecclesiastical Method

To find the Easter date for any year, work through these steps:

Find the spring equinox, fixed as March 21.
Determine the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21. This is the paschal full moon.
Locate the next Sunday after that full moon.
That Sunday is Easter Sunday.

Because the full moon comes from tables, not observation, the date is known far in advance. The March 28, 2027 date was set by this rule. The same method applies every year.

Differences Between Western and Orthodox Easter

Why the Dates Diverge

Orthodox churches calculate Easter with the Julian reckoning, so their date often differs. That system currently runs behind the Gregorian one. The gap, plus different full moon tables, means Orthodox Easter can land weeks later than the Western date. Both churches use the same Council of Nicaea rule. The calendar difference alone changes the result. In some years the dates coincide, but that is rare. If you are travelling to Greece, Russia or Serbia, check the Orthodox date separately; it may shift your trip by a month.