☀️ Explore school holiday ideas! ☀️

Why Does Easter Change Every Year? This Is How Easter Is Determined

Author: Elena Osipova | Updated Nov 09, 2023

When asking, "why does Easter change every year?" and "how the date of Easter is determined each year", in this article, we explain how the full Moon and Spring Equinox help calculate the date of Easter Day.

Easter is a special holiday for many people. Easter is celebrated worldwide among Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

Easter Sunday is the Sunday when we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You may also find it interesting to learn how to determine the date of Easter and when are the Easter dates for the next 10 years and beyond.

Why does Easter change every year? How is Easter date determined? Find the answers below, plus the Easter dates for the next 10 years!.
Why does Easter change every year? How is Easter date determined? Find the answers below, plus the Easter dates for the next 10 years!

Easter day is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox).

The vernal equinox is the time of year when the length of the day is equal to the length of the night. This usually happens around March 20 or March 21.

Thus, if the full Moon occurs on or after the spring equinox, Easter will be the first Sunday following the full Moon. If the full Moon falls on a Sunday, Easter falls on the following Sunday.

This means that Easter can be any time from March 22 to April 25.


If you're wondering, "When are the Orthodox Easter and the Western Easter this year?" You'll find the exact date of Easter for the next 10 years, determined by the Orthodox church and Western Easter in our comprehensive guide!

Did you know? 🐣 Easter often aligns with the beloved April school holidays in Australia making it a joyous time for Australian families!

Easter usually falls in autumn in Australia. This is a very beautiful time in Australia when the weather is mild, and it’s still quite warm and sunny. Australian families with kids like to go on holidays or have fun outdoor activities in autumn.


Also, Easter is a holiday filled with meaningful Easter symbols, from Easter eggs and bunnies and Easter crosses and candles. If you want to learn more about Easter symbols and meanings, be sure to check out our article about popular Easter symbols.

Discover the fascinating history and cultural significance of each Easter symbol!


Looking for fun Easter ideas with your kids? Why not try making hot cross buns together? These sweet, spiced buns are a traditional Easter treat and are the perfect way to get your kids involved in the Easter holiday festivities.

Check out these delicious and easy hot cross buns recipes to bake with your kids!

Frequently Asked Questions

Steven Engler, a professor in religious studies at Mount Royal University, says it's all about the calendars Easter and Christmas follow. Christmas is fixed to a solar calendar and falls near the winter solstice, which is a fixed date on the calendar. Easter, on the other hand, is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Steven Engler, a professor in religious studies at Mount Royal University, says it's all about the calendars Easter and Christmas follow. Christmas is fixed to a solar calendar and falls near the winter solstice, a fixed date on the calendar. Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, which are shorter than the cycles of the sun. That's why it changes from year to year.

Did you know the rarest date for Gregorian Easter (Western Easter) is March 22nd? It only happens once every 210 years. The second rarest date for Easter is April 25th, which only occurs once every 133 years. And the third rarest Easter date is March 23rd, which happens once every 105 years.

The rarest date for Gregorian Easter (Western Easter) is March 22nd, which only happens once every 210 years. The second rarest date for Easter is April 25th, which only occurs once every 133 years. And the third rarest Easter date is March 23rd, which happens once every 105 years.

March 22nd (happens once every 210 years); April 25th (occurs once every 133 years); March 23rd (happens once every 105 years).

Easter day is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. The first full Moon after Spring Equinox 2024 is on Monday, 25 March 2024. Thus Easter 2024 is the first Sunday following the full Moon - Sunday, 31 March 2024.

Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. The first full Moon after Spring Equinox 2024 is on Monday, 25 March 2024. Thus Easter 2024 is the first Sunday following the full Moon - Sunday, 31 March 2024.

Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. The first full Moon after Spring Equinox 2024 is on Monday, 25 March 2024. Thus Easter 2024 is the first Sunday following the full Moon - Sunday, 31 March 2024.

Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. The first full Moon after Spring Equinox 2024 is on Monday, 25 March 2024. Thus Easter 2024 is the first Sunday following the full Moon - Sunday, 31 March 2024.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter day is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). If the full Moon occurs on or after the spring equinox, Easter will be the first Sunday following the full Moon. If the full Moon falls on a Sunday, Easter falls on the following Sunday.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter day is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). If the full Moon occurs on or after the spring equinox, Easter will be the first Sunday following the full Moon. If the full Moon falls on a Sunday, Easter falls on the following Sunday.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter is based on the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is based on the phases of the Moon and is different from the solar calendar we use in our daily lives. The full Moon is used as a marker in the lunar calendar, and the timing of Easter is based on the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. This means that Easter Day can vary from year to year. Learn more.

The date of Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. This means that Easter can fall on different dates each year. Learn more about how Easter is calculated in our article!

Easter Day can change every year, but it always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter Day is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). Learn more about how Easter is determined every year.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

Easter Sunday is determined by the first Sunday after the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (the March equinox). This means that the date of Easter changes from year to year. Check out our article to learn how the date for Easter is determined.

More school holiday ideas

Get inspired with the best school holiday programs, children's live shows, and a curated selection of free school holiday activities near you. Explore and enjoy!

Daria Osipova
Best Free Perth Water Parks To Impress The Kids (2024)

Perth

Best Free Perth Water Parks To Impress The Kids (2024)

Splash and slide into summer with the best water parks and water playgrounds in Perth that are completely free to visit and will impress kids of all ages.

Elena Osipova
This Is How To Transform Your Photos Into LEGO Art

School Holiday Ideas

This Is How To Transform Your Photos Into LEGO Art

Transform your family memories into custom LEGO art! This easy-to-use LEGO art generator brings school holiday and family photos into colourful LEGO art.

Elena Osipova
10 Amazing Gold Coast Play Centres To Visit This Summer

Gold Coast

10 Amazing Gold Coast Play Centres To Visit This Summer

Discover the top Gold Coast indoor playgrounds and outdoor play centres perfect for families with kids and teens seeking fun and adventure.

Cookie consent at schoolholidays.com.au

Cookie Consent

We use cookies (and other similar technologies) to improve your experience on our site. By using this website you agree to our Cookie Policy.