When Is Easter 2017? And Why Does The Date Change Every Year?

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When is Easter 2017? And why does the date change every year?

Everything you need to know about when the holiday falls this year and when Lent begins and ends

CommentsSheena McStravick20:43, 16 Jan 2017Updated 20:43, 16 Jan 2017

There's no doubt about when the other major holidays fall throughout the year, Christmas, Valentine's Day etc, but the date Easter is celebrated changes every year.

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But why?

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We follow the Gregorian calendar in the UK and Ireland, and as far as that dating system is concerned, Easter must fall on the Sunday following the first full moon that occurs after the first day of spring each year.

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Sounds complicated? Well, basically it means Easter can happen anywhere between March 22 and April 25, regardless of the date it took place the year before.

The Easter weekend follows Maundy Thursday which marks the last day of Jesus' life and is also the date of the Last Supper.

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His crucifixion took place the following day - which we mark as Good Friday.

So when does it fall this year?

Easter Sunday 2017 this year falls on April 16, meaning Good Friday is April 14, and Easter Monday, April 17.

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So Lent begins on March 1 this year, also known as Ash Wednesday.

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