Easter 2025: Discover Date & Traditions of the Holiday!

For many, Easter weekend is primarily a time of celebration and gathering, bringing together both kids and adults for joyous moments. However, for Christians, this day holds a special significance as it commemorates a pivotal event in the life of Jesus Christ. Let’s delve into the traditions and symbols associated with Easter.

What is the Date of Easter in 2025?

In 2025, Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20th. As is tradition, Easter always falls on a Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. While the day of the week remains constant, the actual date varies according to lunar cycles, not our usual solar calendar.

The Easter Monday follows the next day, on April 21, 2025. This is a public holiday in France, providing a long weekend to enjoy the festivities.

What is the Origin of Easter for Christians?

For Christians, Easter is a principal festival, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, which is the cornerstone of their faith. Originally, it marks the end of Holy Week, which recounts the final days of Christ from his Last Supper (the Cenacle) to his crucifixion and burial. This celebration symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice, a spiritual renewal, and the affirmation of Christian faith.

What is the Meaning of the Word Easter?

The term “Easter” originates from the Hebrew word “Pesach,” which means “passage” and refers to the Jewish festival of Passover (also called Pesach). Christians later adopted this term, adding an “s” to form the word “Easter” as it is known today.

What are the Traditions of Easter?

Worldwide, Easter traditions vary widely. In France, some of the customs include:

► Easter Bunnies. In Eastern France and Germany, it’s this long-eared creature that distributes chocolate eggs to children. This tradition originated in Southern Germany, where historically, meat was not consumed during Lent. Rabbits, proliferating in the fields during this time, symbolized renewal. They were linked to Easter eggs in the 17th century.

► Decorated Easter Eggs. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages, when consuming eggs during Lent was forbidden. To prevent waste, people would eat eggs only during Mid-Lent, making pancakes and donuts with them, and then decorate the eggs laid in the following days to give away at Easter.

► Chocolate Eggs. By the 18th century, people started emptying eggs to fill them with chocolate as gifts. The practice of making chocolate egg molds only appeared in the 19th century with advances in manufacturing techniques.

► Easter Bells. Popular tradition holds that the bells, having left Rome on Holy Thursday, bring the eggs on Easter morning and ring out to announce Jesus’ resurrection. In Eastern France, storks or rabbits sometimes replace bells as the deliverers of Easter eggs.

► Easter Egg Hunts. Traditionally, Easter eggs and other chocolates are hidden in gardens, homes, or apartments for children to find. These hunts usually occur on Easter Sunday morning.

What Easter Activities Can Be Done with Children?

Easter is also a children’s festival! Craft activities and DIY projects are great ways to keep them entertained. From coloring bunnies, making chick crafts at home, decorating cakes, to sending personalized cards… And of course, the essential Easter egg hunt, which can be organized outdoors in a garden, park, or field, as well as inside the home. Here are all our Easter activities:

What to Eat for Easter Dinner?

Lamb is the star ingredient of the main Easter meal. From leg to shoulder and ribs, lamb is prepared and enjoyed in various ways. Explore how to cook this meat and what dishes to pair it with. Our tasty recipe ideas:

Our Easter Decoration Ideas for the Table and Home

Easter decorations are equally important. For this, rely on DIY to create Easter bells using cardboard boxes or craft lovely place cards for the table, or even bunny-shaped napkin folds.

You can unleash your creativity and decorate your home and table with a variety of do-it-yourself decoration items.