Easter Sunday 2026 — April 5
The most important Christian holiday — celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
When is Easter?
Easter is a movable feast — falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21).
- 2026: April 5
- 2027: March 28
- 2028: April 16
Religious Significance
Easter commemorates the day Jesus rose from the dead.
The Holy Week:
- Palm Sunday (Mar 29, 2026): Jesus enters Jerusalem
- Maundy Thursday (Apr 2): Last Supper
- Good Friday (Apr 3): Crucifixion
- Holy Saturday (Apr 4): Day of waiting
- Easter Sunday (Apr 5): Resurrection
Easter Traditions
Religious:
- Sunrise services — at dawn outdoors
- Easter Mass — special church services
- Easter lilies — symbol of purity
Cultural:
- Easter Bunny brings candy
- Easter eggs — hidden + hunted
- Easter baskets — kids' gifts
- Easter parade — NYC tradition
The Easter Bunny
Came from Germany:
- "Osterhase" — egg-laying hare
- German immigrants brought tradition to America (1700s)
- Evolved into modern bunny with chocolate eggs
Egg Hunting
Setup (for kids 3-12):
- Hide 30-50 eggs per child
- Make some easy, some hard
- Use plastic eggs filled with candy or coins
Best Hiding Spots:
- Under bushes
- Behind tree branches
- Inside flower pots
- On windowsills (if safe)
Easter Sunday Menu
Classic Easter Dinner:
- Ham — glazed with honey/brown sugar
- Roast lamb — biblical significance
- Deviled eggs — use those colored eggs
- Scalloped potatoes
- Roasted asparagus — spring vegetable
- Hot cross buns
- Carrot cake — for the bunny!
Iconic Easter Treats
| Treat | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| Cadbury Cream Egg | Fondant filling chocolate egg |
| Peeps | Marshmallow chicks (since 1953) |
| Chocolate Bunny | Solid or hollow |
| Hot Cross Buns | Spiced sweet roll |
Easter Around the World
- Spain: Semana Santa processions — somber
- Italy: Easter Monday "Pasquetta" — picnic
- Greece: Roast lamb on a spit, red eggs
- Germany: Egg trees, bonfires
- Mexico: Cascarones — confetti eggs
Quote
"Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless."
— Charles M. Crowe
🐰 Happy Easter 2026! 🌷🥚🐣