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Easter Sunday 2024 in the United States

Many Christians celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

Is Easter Sunday a Public Holiday?

Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, 31 March 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC on Easter Sunday.

©iStockphoto.com/ablokhin

What Do People Do?

Many churches hold special services on Easter Sunday, which celebrate the Jesus Christ's resurrection after his crucifixion. Many people also decorate eggs. These can be hard boiled eggs that can be eaten later, but may also be model eggs made of plastic, chocolate, candy or other materials. It is also common to organize Easter egg hunts. Eggs of some form are hidden, supposedly by a rabbit or hare. People, especially children, then search for them. In some areas, Easter egg hunts are a popular way for local businesses to promote themselves or may even be organized by churches.

Public Life

Easter Sunday is not a federal holiday but a number of stores are closed in many parts of the US and if they are open, they may have limited trading hours. In some cities, public transit systems usually run their regular Sunday schedule, but it is best to check with the local transport authorities if any changes will be implemented during Easter Sunday.

Background

In Pagan times, many groups of people organized spring festivals. Many of these celebrated the re-birth of nature, the return the land to fertility and the birth of many young animals. These are the origins of the Easter eggs that we still hunt for and eat.

In Christian times, the spring began to be associated with Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The crucifixion is remembered on Good Friday and the resurrection is remembered on Easter Sunday. The idea of the resurrection joined with the ideas of re-birth in Pagan beliefs.

Symbols

For people with strong Christian beliefs, the cross that Jesus was crucified on and his resurrection are important symbols of the period around Easter. Other symbols of Easter include real eggs or eggs manufactured from a range of materials, nests, lambs and rabbits or hares. Sometimes these symbols are combined, for example, in candy models of rabbits with nests full of eggs. Eggs, rabbits, hares and young animals are thought to represent the re-birth and return to fertility of nature in the spring.

About Easter Sunday in Other Countries

Read more about Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2019Sun21 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2020Sun12 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2021Sun4 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2022Sun17 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2023Sun9 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2024Sun31 MarEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2025Sun20 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2026Sun5 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2027Sun28 MarEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2028Sun16 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian
2029Sun1 AprEaster SundayObservance, Christian

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.