When Is Easter? Dates, Holy Week Timeline, and Planning Calendar Through 2035

Overview

Easter Sunday does not fall on a fixed calendar date. In the Western Christian calendar, it is observed on the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after the March equinox. As a result, Easter can occur anywhere from late March to late April.

The dates below use the Gregorian calendar and are intended for general family, community, travel, and event planning. Some Orthodox churches calculate Easter using a different calendar or method, so Orthodox Easter may fall on another date. If you are attending a particular church or community service, confirm the schedule directly with the organizers.

For planning purposes, Easter Sunday is the anchor date. Palm Sunday is one week earlier, and Good Friday is the Friday immediately before Easter. These dates help families coordinate church attendance, school-break travel, community events, and seasonal gatherings.

What to track

The Holy Week timeline

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and leads into Easter Sunday. Traditions vary by denomination, but the following outline is a useful general reference:

• Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter, often associated with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and special worship services.
• Monday through Wednesday: Churches may offer weekday services, prayer gatherings, educational programs, or seasonal community activities.
• Maundy Thursday: The Thursday before Easter, observed by many churches with a service or communion gathering.
• Good Friday: The Friday before Easter, commonly marked by a service, reflection, or community observance.
• Holy Saturday: The day before Easter, when some churches hold an evening vigil or prepare for Easter morning.
• Easter Sunday: The primary celebration date for Easter worship, family meals, egg hunts, and many public events.

Family and community dates

Track more than the holiday itself. School spring breaks may occur before, during, or after Easter and vary by district. Relatives may need travel time, while local egg hunts can take place several weekends before Easter. Community calendars, libraries, parks, farms, and churches may announce activities on different schedules.

For local listings, record the event date, start and end time, registration deadline, age range, location, weather plan, accessibility details, parking information, and whether children should bring baskets. The guide to finding Easter events near you can help organize that search.

Cadence and checkpoints

A simple planning rhythm prevents the holiday from becoming a last-minute project.

• Three to four months before Easter: Mark Easter Sunday and Holy Week on the family calendar. Check school-break dates, consider travel, and identify any church or community commitments.
• Six to eight weeks before Easter: Look for local egg hunts, worship schedules, fundraisers, and family-friendly activities. Reserve spaces if registration is required. Choose a gathering date if your family will celebrate on a different weekend.
• Four to six weeks before Easter: Send Easter invitations, confirm guest numbers, and plan the egg hunt format. For wording and printable options, see the Easter invitation wording guide.
• Two to three weeks before Easter: Finalize food, decorations, baskets, and activities. Compare supply timing with the Easter shopping calendar, especially if you need specialty items.
• One week before Easter: Recheck event details, weather, travel arrangements, allergies, and church service times. Prepare clues, signs, or a guest message for the egg hunt.
• During Holy Week: Buy perishable ingredients, assemble baskets, print activity sheets, and confirm the final head count. A detailed egg hunt checklist can keep setup manageable.

How to interpret changes

The most important change from year to year is the Easter date itself. An early Easter may overlap with colder weather, fewer outdoor event options, or a school break that has not yet started. A later Easter may offer more outdoor flexibility, but it can also coincide with other spring activities and busy travel weekends.

Use the date table as a starting point rather than assuming that every related date moves in the same way locally. School calendars, municipal events, church services, park rules, and registration windows are set independently. An event held on the Saturday before Easter may be announced weeks or months ahead, while another organization may wait until its seasonal schedule is confirmed.

When comparing family plans, separate fixed dates from flexible ones. Easter Sunday and a church service may be fixed; an egg hunt, brunch, or family visit may be moved to the preceding weekend. If weather affects an outdoor plan, decide in advance whether you will postpone, move indoors, or use a backup activity such as printable Easter activities or simple crafts.

When to revisit

Revisit this page at the start of each calendar year, then check your local plans quarterly as Easter approaches. The date table is useful for long-range scheduling, but event listings and service times should always be confirmed for the specific year and location.

Use this short annual checklist:

1. Confirm the Easter Sunday date and add Palm Sunday and Good Friday to your calendar.
2. Check school, work, travel, and family availability.
3. Search for local Easter egg hunts, church services, and community celebrations.
4. Set a response deadline for invitations and record dietary or accessibility needs.
5. Choose a backup plan for outdoor activities.
6. Review food, craft, basket, and supply plans at least two weeks before Easter.

Once the date is confirmed, continue with the Easter brunch menu planner, browse age-appropriate Easter crafts, or use the basket ideas by age and budget guide. Returning to this calendar each season makes it easier to turn the Easter date into a realistic, well-timed plan.