Here’s the secret, and it’s actually kind of cool: Easter starts with the moon. Yes, really. The holiday is pegged to the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Don’t worry, I had to read that sentence twice, too.
That means Easter can land anywhere from late March to late April. In 2026, it was March 31. In 2026, it’s April 20. In 2026? April 5. It’s like your flaky friend who says, “I’ll be there at 7,” and shows up at 8:30 with a story about a turtle.
So if you ask, “When does Easter start?” the honest answer is: depends on the moon’s mood. But for practical humans, we need a simpler breakdown.
Let’s Talk About Lent First (Sorry)
Technically, the Easter holiday season starts way before the big egg hunt. It begins with Ash Wednesday, which kicks off Lent—a 40-day period of reflection, fasting, and giving up chocolate. Cue dramatic sigh.
Lent starts in mid-February or early March, about 46 days before Easter Sunday. If you’re giving up coffee, the holiday “starts” with a headache and a lot of grumbling. But that’s the penitential part, not the party part.
The real start of the celebration? That’s Holy Week. And Holy Week is where things get juicy.
