When Is Easter 2024? Here's Why the Date Changes Every Year
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What's your favorite part of spring? For us, there's no way we could narrow it down to just one thing, but Easter is definitely a major event that comes to mind.
The entire holiday is meaningful for so many reasons, including all the holiday traditions, like a big Easter brunch or Sunday mass with the whole family. But with all these Easter activities going on, you should definitely know when Easter is so you can start planning! It may seem obvious that Easter Sunday is on... Sunday. However, the date itself changes every year, so things may get a little confusing in that sense!
Before you plan out this year's family Easter egg hunt or get started filling those Easter baskets, make sure you know whether the holy day falls early or late this year. Read on for more information on when Easter is in 2024, as well as the dates for Lent. (And if you've ever wondered about the origins of the Easter bunny, we've got information on that, too!)
When is Easter in 2024?
In 2024, Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, March 31. This may feel a bit early for some, but it's just the way things worked out this year! We just hope that the weather isn't *too* cold so that you could all take your outdoor Easter photos!
Also, for reference, the range of dates in which Easter could fall on each year is pretty large. The absolute earliest it could fall on is March 22, but you won't have to worry about that for now—because the next time it'll be that early is in the year 2285! 😂 As for the latest it can take place, that would be on April 25. (Though, that hasn't happened since 1943.)
How is the date for Easter determined every year?
Okay, so we know that Easter Sunday moves around. But more specifically, there's a direct range of dates where Easter will take place. Easter can only happen between March 22 through April 25 (and that's if we're talking the Gregorian calendar). But why does is this the case? And how is the date picked out from this range each year?
Well, believe it or not, it all has to do with the moon! The simplified version is that Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. And if you're wondering what that means, it's the first full moon after the vernal equinox. On years during which the first full moon of spring falls on a Sunday, Easter is observed the following week.
The moon's cycles played an important role in ancient times, and it remains the way the date of Jewish holidays are determined, including Passover. Eventually, Christians decided to observe Easter during the same time as Passover, with early celebrations occurring on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.
When is Lent in 2024?
Easter's rotating date is why Lent also changes every year. In 2024, Lent will begin on Wednesday, February 14, and will last until Thursday, March 28. The Easter date is decided first, and then the season of Lent is determined from that day. That means that Ash Wednesday is on February 14, Holy Thursday is on Thursday, March 28, and Good Friday is on Friday, March 29. (All that's left to figure out is what to give up on Lent this year.)
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