Why Is Easter So Late This Year? Blame the Moon!

We celebrate Christmas on December 25 every year, Halloween is always October 31, and Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. So, why does Easter have to make things complicated by changing the date every year? Let's find out.

The Phases of the Moon Determine the Date of Easter

Basically, the Easter bunny has to know when the full moon falls on the calendar between March and April. There's more to it of course, but that's the first thing we need to know.

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Easter is a Moveable Feast, So it Does Not Have a Fixed Date

Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon which occurs on or after March 21. This means that Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. The reason for these rules dates back to the early days of Christianity when there was disagreement about the date of Easter among different Christian communities.

I seriously always assumed that Easter was during spring break. I guess sometimes they line up, but not this year.

When is Easter in 2025?

The Old Farmers Almanac is an excellent source for the lunar cycles and how they affect everything from planting to when you should cut your hair. This year, Easter will be on Sunday, April 20, 2025.