Days Until Easter 2027

How Is Easter's Date Calculated?

Easter's date is one of the most complex calculations in the Western calendar. The rule, established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, is that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox (March 21st). This means Easter can fall anywhere between March 22nd and April 25th — a five-week range that explains why the date feels so unpredictable.

Western Easter vs Orthodox Easter

The Eastern Orthodox Church calculates Easter using the older Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar used in the West. As a result, Orthodox Easter often falls one, four, or five weeks after Western Easter. In 2027, Orthodox Easter falls on May 2nd — five weeks after Western Easter.

Easter Traditions Around the World

• United Kingdom — hot cross buns on Good Friday, chocolate egg hunts, and a long bank holiday weekend
• Germany — the origin of the Easter Bunny and decorated Easter eggs; Easter fires (Osterfeuer) and lamb-shaped cakes
• Greece — the most important religious holiday in the Greek calendar, with midnight Resurrection services and red-dyed eggs
• United States — the White House Easter Egg Roll (running since 1878), Easter baskets, and morning church services
• Australia — Easter Bilby chocolates as an alternative to the Easter Bunny, supporting native wildlife conservation
• Sweden — children dress as witches and exchange painted eggs for sweets on Easter Thursday

Easter Activities for Families

• Egg dyeing and decorating — a classic craft that works for all ages
• Easter egg hunt — hide eggs in the garden or around the house
• Hot cross bun baking — simple, delicious, and a lovely kitchen project
• Simnel cake — a traditional Easter fruit cake with marzipan layers
• Easter basket assembly — fill with chocolate, small gifts, and spring flowers
• Nature walk — Easter marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere

Easter Facts

• The word 'Easter' is thought to derive from 'Eostre', a Germanic goddess of spring and dawn
• Over 1.5 billion Easter eggs are sold in the UK alone each year
• The world's largest Easter egg was over 10 metres tall and weighed nearly 4,000 kg
• Pretzels were originally an Easter food — their twisted shape was meant to represent arms crossed in prayer

Count Down to Easter 2027

Our Easter countdown at the top of this page always shows the correct date for the next upcoming Easter, updated every single day. Whether you're planning an egg hunt, a family feast, or a long weekend away, bookmark this page and use our countdown to plan ahead.