How Many Days Until Easter 2026?

Your Always-Live Easter Countdown

Easter is a "moveable feast" that falls on a different date each year. Our exact days calculator uses the Computus algorithm to calculate Easter accurately for any year. The rule, established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, states that Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Our countdown recalculates every second using UTC-safe math, so you always see the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining.

This means Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. The calculation involves both solar and lunar calendars, which is why the date varies so much!

Easter Spending & Statistics

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend over $24 billion annually on Easter, including candy, decorations, food, clothing, and gifts. The average person spends around $180 on Easter celebrations. Popular purchases include Easter candy (especially chocolate bunnies and jelly beans), decorations, Easter baskets, and festive clothing.

The National Confectioners Association reports that over 90 million chocolate bunnies are sold for Easter each year, with 76% of people eating the ears first. Over 16 billion jelly beans are produced annually for Easter, making it one of the biggest candy holidays of the year.

🍫 Easter Chocolate Facts

• $2.6 billion spent on Easter candy in the US annually
• 16 billion jelly beans produced for Easter each year
• 76% of people eat the ears off chocolate bunnies first
• The largest Easter egg ever made weighed 15,873 pounds
• Americans buy more than 90 million chocolate bunnies for Easter

🌍 Easter Traditions Worldwide

• USA: Easter egg hunts and the White House Easter Egg Roll
• Australia: Easter Bilby instead of bunny (to raise awareness)
• Finland: Children dress as Easter witches
• Bermuda: Flying homemade kites on Good Friday
• Poland: Śmigus-Dyngus (Wet Monday water fights)

The History and Significance of Easter

Easter is one of the most important holidays in Christianity, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the holiday has roots that extend far beyond its Christian significance, incorporating elements from ancient spring festivals and pagan traditions. Understanding the history and evolution of Easter helps explain why it remains such a widely celebrated holiday today.

The name "Easter" itself is believed to derive from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. This connection to ancient spring celebrations explains many of the holiday's symbols, including eggs (representing new life), rabbits (symbolizing fertility), and the focus on renewal and rebirth that characterizes the season.

The Computus Algorithm: Calculating Easter's Date

The method for determining Easter's date each year is called the Computus algorithm, established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This complex calculation ensures that Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, which typically occurs on March 20 or 21.

Our exact days calculator uses this algorithm to accurately calculate Easter dates for any year, ensuring your countdown is always precise. The calculation accounts for both solar and lunar cycles, which is why Easter can vary by more than a month from year to year.

Easter and the Liturgical Calendar

Easter is the central event in the Christian liturgical calendar, and many other important dates are calculated relative to it. For example, Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent) is 46 days before Easter, Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, and Pentecost is 50 days after Easter. This interconnected calendar system means that Easter's date affects the timing of numerous religious observances throughout the year.

Understanding when Easter falls each year helps you plan for these related holidays and religious observances. Our countdown provides real-time updates, so you always know exactly how many days remain until Easter and can plan accordingly.

Easter Traditions and Celebrations

Easter traditions vary widely around the world, reflecting local cultures, religious practices, and historical influences. While some traditions are universal, others are unique to specific regions or communities, creating a rich tapestry of Easter celebrations globally.

Easter Egg Traditions

The tradition of Easter eggs is one of the most widespread and beloved aspects of the holiday. In many cultures, eggs are decorated, painted, or dyed in vibrant colors and patterns. The practice of Easter egg hunts, where children search for hidden eggs, is particularly popular in the United States and has become a cherished family tradition.

In some countries, like Greece and Russia, eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ. In Germany, hollow eggs are decorated and hung on trees as decorations. The White House Easter Egg Roll, held annually in Washington, D.C., is one of the oldest Easter traditions in the United States, dating back to 1878.

The Easter Bunny and Other Symbols

The Easter Bunny is a relatively modern addition to Easter traditions, originating in German folklore and brought to America by immigrants in the 1700s. The bunny was said to lay eggs for good children, similar to how Santa Claus brings gifts. Today, the Easter Bunny is a central figure in many children's Easter celebrations, delivering baskets filled with candy, toys, and treats.

Other Easter symbols include lambs (representing Jesus as the Lamb of God), lilies (symbolizing purity and resurrection), and crosses (representing the crucifixion and resurrection). Each symbol carries deep meaning and helps tell the story of Easter's significance.

Easter Around the World

Easter celebrations take on unique characteristics in different countries, reflecting local customs, religious practices, and cultural traditions. Exploring these diverse celebrations provides insight into how the holiday has been adapted and embraced around the globe.

European Easter Traditions

In many European countries, Easter is marked by elaborate religious processions, special church services, and traditional foods. In Spain, dramatic processions featuring religious statues and participants in traditional costumes are held throughout Holy Week. In Italy, Easter Monday (Pasquetta) is a public holiday celebrated with picnics and outdoor activities.

In Poland, the tradition of Śmigus-Dyngus involves people playfully splashing water on each other on Easter Monday, a custom that dates back centuries. In Finland, children dress as Easter witches and go door-to-door exchanging decorated willow branches for treats, similar to Halloween in other countries.

Easter in the Southern Hemisphere

In countries like Australia and New Zealand, Easter falls during autumn rather than spring, creating a different seasonal context for the holiday. In Australia, the Easter Bilby has been promoted as an alternative to the Easter Bunny to raise awareness about the endangered bilby species, which is native to Australia.

Despite the different season, many of the same traditions are observed, including egg hunts, family gatherings, and special meals. The timing of Easter means that these celebrations often coincide with school holidays, making it a popular time for family vacations and travel.

Planning Your Easter Celebration

Whether you're planning a small family gathering or a large community event, knowing exactly how many days until Easter helps you prepare effectively. Our countdown calculator provides real-time updates, so you can track your progress as you plan decorations, meals, activities, and gifts.

Popular Easter activities include Easter egg hunts, family meals featuring traditional foods like ham or lamb, attending church services, and spending time outdoors enjoying the spring weather. Many families also use Easter as an opportunity to start spring cleaning, plant gardens, or begin new projects as the weather warms.

For those celebrating with children, planning Easter activities in advance ensures a memorable and enjoyable holiday. Consider organizing an Easter egg hunt in your yard or local park, creating Easter crafts, or preparing special Easter-themed meals.

The Economic Impact of Easter

Easter is one of the most commercially significant holidays, generating billions of dollars in spending annually. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend over $24 billion on Easter each year, making it one of the largest consumer holidays after Christmas and back-to-school shopping.

This spending encompasses a wide range of categories, including candy, decorations, clothing, food, and gifts. The holiday provides a significant boost to retailers, especially those specializing in confectionery, flowers, and seasonal decorations. Understanding the economic impact of Easter helps explain why businesses invest heavily in Easter marketing and product development.

As you count down the days until Easter, you're participating in a holiday that has both deep religious significance and substantial cultural and economic importance. Whether you celebrate for religious reasons, cultural traditions, or simply the joy of spring, Easter represents a time of renewal, celebration, and togetherness.