When is Easter 2025? And why are eggs, a bunny part of the celebration for many?

Easter is an important day in the Christian faith.

Each year, believers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on a Sunday after the 40-day period known as Lent. Church services, reflection and prayer are some ways that people observe the holiday.

Others enjoy a more secular celebration of Easter filled with bunnies, baskets and colorful eggs.

When is Easter 2025?

This year, Easter Sunday is April 20.

Why is Easter so late in 2025?

Easter's date changes depending on the year.

The holiday is one of several "moveable feasts" in the liturgical year, according to the History Channel. Others include Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday.

Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. 

Since Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar, Easter typically falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, according to the History Channel.

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the date of Easter also varies. This branch follows the Julian calendar, meaning Orthodox Easter falls between April 4 and May 8, the History Channel reported.

This year, Easter is set for the same day for both Western and Eastern Christians, which last happened in 2017.

History of Easter

Easter is the day that the faithful commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the last day of the Holy Week, consisting of several days — each with Christian significance. These include: 

• Palm Sunday, commemorating when Christ entered Jerusalem.
• Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper and washing of feet.
• Good Friday, commemorating Christ's crucifixion and death.

Of the four canonical Gospels, each has a version of the Passion, or final period of Christ's life. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are similar in their accounts, the Gospel of John differs. 

According to the text, Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ, who was arrested by Roman authorities after saying he was the Son of God. Christ predicted this would happen at the Last Supper. 

He was then put on trial and later sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea. The events of the stations of the cross followed, ultimately leading to the crucifixion.

He was then buried in a tomb, and on Easter Sunday this tomb was found empty. The Bible proclaims Christ rose from the dead.

Why Easter bunny and eggs?

Easter is celebrated to remember the sacrifices of Christ. As a result, many Christians go to church services and pray in observance. 

Other aspects of the holiday, such as Easter eggs, also derive from Christian traditions.

The colorful Easter eggs you might decorate with your family are actually symbols of new life and rebirth. Ancient Christian communities in Mesopotamia would stain eggs red to represent the blood of Christ, which was shed at the crucifixion, NBC Chicago has reported. The eggs also signify the empty tomb.

As for the Easter bunny, its origins are not necessarily rooted in Christianity. The exact origins of the anthropomorphic rabbit are unclear.

But since ancient times, the hare has been said to represent rebirth, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

German Lutherans used an Easter hare for the Easter season, similar to the role of Santa Claus role during Christmas.

Known as "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws," the rabbit would gift baskets of toys and candy to good children the night before Easter, the History Channel has reported.