A UK holiday countdown
Easter is getting closer.
For Christians, Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus. In Western churches, it falls on the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, so the date changes each year.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
Easter Sunday
Western Easter is calculated in relation to the spring equinox and the full moon, so its calendar date varies. Orthodox Easter may fall on a different Sunday.
About Easter
Easter is the culmination of Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The English name probably derives from a spring month once called Eostre. Hot cross buns, simnel cake and chocolate eggs are familiar treats, and the egg itself has long stood for new life. Many churches hold sunrise services or Easter vigils.
When is Easter?
Western Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March, giving 5 April 2026, 28 March 2027 and 16 April 2028.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All calendars | Sunday 5 April 2026 | Sunday 28 March 2027 | Sunday 16 April 2028 |
Planning around Easter
Good Friday and Easter Monday create a four-day weekend, so book travel and accommodation early, and check school Easter holiday dates, which differ between councils and nations. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
Easter questions
How many days until Easter?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next Easter, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is Easter in 2027?
Easter falls on Sunday 28 March 2027 in the United Kingdom.
Why does Easter change date every year?
Because it follows a moon-based rule. Church leaders agreed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 to link Easter to the spring full moon, so it can fall anywhere between 22 March and 25 April.