Easter is a celebration that comes around each year but as the dates change, you might be wondering when it is this year.
Whether you’re spending the weekend away with loved ones or you’re home for this year’s celebrations, it’s worth knowing which days the Easter weekend falls on and if there will be a bank holiday.
When is Easter 2024?
Good Friday will be on Friday, March 29 and Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, March 31 in 2024.
Is Easter a bank holiday?
Every year, hard-working Brits enjoy a handful of days off thanks to bank holidays.
Easter weekend is always a bank holiday in England and Wales and 2024 is no different.
Good Friday and Easter Monday will be bank holiday days which makes the weekend longer for those who have time off work and school.
However, in Scotland, Good Friday is a bank holiday but Easter Monday isn’t.
Why do we celebrate Easter?
Easter is a Christian celebration and it always takes place in Spring when there is a full moon, reports the BBC.
The BBC website explains: “Easter is an important Christian festival - it's when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“The Bible says that Christ died on a cross on a day called Good Friday. According to the Bible, Jesus was then resurrected and came back to life on Easter Sunday.”
You’ll probably be familiar with the gifting of chocolate Easter eggs and the story of the Easter bunny who is said to deliver them.
Recommended reading:
- Full list of UK Bank Holidays for 2024
- Revealed: Full list of Scotland bank holidays for 2024
- All the school holidays in England and Wales for 2024
- When are the Scottish school holidays and term times for 2023 and 2024
But why do we have Easter eggs?
The BBC website says: “Originally eating eggs was not allowed by church leaders during the week leading up to Easter (known as Holy Week).
“So any eggs laid that week were saved and decorated to make them Holy Week eggs, that were then given to children as gifts.
“Victorians adapted the tradition with satin-covered cardboard eggs filled with Easter gifts.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here