Easter 2025: Global Celebration Guide, Traditions, and Holiday Calendar Dates
From Easter egg hunts to religious observances, discover how Easter is celebrated around the world and plan your spring holiday calendar.
Easter 2025: How Different Countries Actually Celebrate
Easter Sunday 2025: April 20 (Western churches)
Orthodox Easter 2025: April 20 (same date this year — rare occurrence)
Easter dates shift annually because they're calculated using a formula established in 325 AD: the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. The date can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25.
Holy Week Day-by-Day
| Day | Date (2025) | Significance | Who Observes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Sunday | April 13 | Jesus enters Jerusalem | All Christians |
| Maundy Thursday | April 17 | Last Supper commemoration | Most traditions |
| Good Friday | April 18 | Crucifixion observance | Public holiday in 115+ countries |
| Holy Saturday | April 19 | Day of waiting | Vigil services at night |
| Easter Sunday | April 20 | Resurrection celebration | All Christians |
Country-Specific Traditions Worth Knowing
Spain: Semana Santa
Spain's Holy Week processions are UNESCO-recognized. Key details:
> "We train for months to carry the paso. It weighs 2,500 kilos. You can only see your feet — you follow the sound of the capataz's hammer." — Antonio, costalero in Seville for 22 years
Greece: Orthodox Easter
Greek Easter involves customs unfamiliar to Western Christians:
Best places to experience it: Corfu (philharmonic bands), Hydra (candlelit processions on water), any Greek village
Germany: Osterfeuer (Easter Fires)
Northern Germany lights massive bonfires on Easter Saturday evening. Some reach 20+ meters tall. Communities gather for food, drinks, and warmth. The Lüneburger Heide region has the strongest tradition.
Australia: The Easter Bilby
Since the 1990s, environmental groups have promoted the endangered bilby as an alternative to the rabbit (an invasive pest in Australia). Chocolate bilbies now outsell bunnies at many retailers, with proceeds supporting conservation.
Practical Planning Information
Public Holidays in 2025:
Travel Considerations:
Easter Food Traditions
| Country | Food | When Eaten |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Hot cross buns | Good Friday breakfast |
| UK | Simnel cake | Easter Sunday tea |
| Italy | Colomba | Easter Sunday (dove-shaped cake) |
| Poland | Żurek | Easter Sunday breakfast (sour rye soup) |
| Greece | Tsoureki | Easter Sunday (sweet bread) |
| Germany | Osterbrot | Easter breakfast (sweet bread with raisins) |

