When Is Easter in Sydney in 2025 and 2026?

When is Easter in Sydney? In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, with the Easter long weekend beginning on Good Friday, April 18, and concluding on Easter Monday, April 21. For those planning ahead, in 2026, Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 5, marking another four-day public holiday break across New South Wales. Understanding when is Easter in Sydney each year is essential for travelers, families, and shoppers preparing for holiday closures, special events, and religious observances. This guide provides comprehensive details on Easter dates, traditions, retail hours, school breaks, and regional variations across Australia.

Easter Dates in Sydney: 2025 to 2027

Easter does not fall on a fixed calendar date; instead, it's determined by the lunar calendar and the spring equinox. In Sydney, as in the rest of Australia, Easter follows the Western Christian tradition, meaning it occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox. This results in Easter Sunday falling between March 22 and April 25.

Year	Good Friday	Easter Saturday	Easter Sunday	Easter Monday
2025	April 18	April 19	April 20	April 21
2026	April 3	April 4	April 5	April 6
2027	March 26	March 27	March 28	March 29

Sydney observes all three days—Good Friday, Easter Saturday (not a public holiday), Easter Sunday (religious observance), and Easter Monday—as part of its annual holiday cycle, with Good Friday and Easter Monday recognized as official public holidays under New South Wales law. Schools, government offices, banks, and most workplaces close during this period.

Why Does the Date of Easter Change Every Year?

Unlike fixed holidays such as Christmas, the date of Easter in Sydney changes annually because it is based on ecclesiastical calculations rather than the Gregorian calendar alone. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox. Since lunar cycles do not align perfectly with solar months, the timing shifts each year.

This system means that Easter can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. For example, in 2026, Easter comes relatively early on April 5, while in 2025, it lands later in April. These fluctuations affect everything from school term schedules to retail promotions and travel demand in Sydney.

Public Holidays and Business Hours in Sydney During Easter

In Sydney, both Good Friday and Easter Monday are legislated public holidays. Most businesses, including federal and state government agencies, schools, and post offices, are closed on these days. However, private retailers may operate under modified hours, especially shopping centers like Westfield Sydney, Pitt Street Mall, and Bondi Junction.

Are shops open on Easter Sunday in Sydney? Yes, many major shopping centers remain open on Easter Sunday, though typically with reduced hours—often from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles also tend to open on Easter Sunday, particularly in high-traffic areas, but neighborhood stores may stay closed. It’s advisable to check individual store websites or call ahead before visiting.

Easter Saturday is not a public holiday, so most businesses operate normal Saturday trading hours. This makes it one of the busiest shopping days of the long weekend, especially with seasonal sales and chocolate promotions.

School Term Breaks and Family Activities in Sydney

The NSW Department of Education schedules term breaks around public holidays. While Easter doesn’t mark the end of a full school term, the four-day weekend often includes a short recess or early dismissal on Thursday or Friday. Parents should consult their local school calendars for exact arrangements.

Families in Sydney use the Easter long weekend for both religious and recreational purposes. Popular activities include:

• Attending church services at St Mary’s Cathedral or local parishes
• Participating in Easter egg hunts at parks like Centennial Parklands or Taronga Zoo
• Visiting family-friendly events such as the Royal Easter Show (held separately in April at Sydney Olympic Park)
• Taking short getaways to coastal towns like Newport or the Blue Mountains

The Royal Easter Show, while not occurring on Easter weekend itself, is one of Australia’s largest annual events and takes place over two weeks starting shortly after Easter. It features agricultural displays, carnival rides, food stalls, and live entertainment, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Religious Observances and Church Services

For Christians in Sydney, Easter is the most sacred time of the liturgical year. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday (commemorating the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion of Jesus), and culminates in the Easter Vigil on Saturday night and Easter Sunday Mass.

Major churches across Sydney host special services:

• St Mary’s Cathedral: Hosts solemn liturgies including the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.
• Hillsong Church: Offers contemporary Easter services at multiple campuses, often featuring live music and multimedia presentations.
• Anglican Diocese of Sydney: Conducts traditional Anglican rites with processions and scripture readings.

Many services require registration due to limited seating, especially at popular megachurches. Livestream options are widely available for those unable to attend in person.

Cultural Traditions and Community Events

While rooted in Christianity, Easter in Sydney has evolved into a broader cultural celebration. Chocolate eggs, bunnies, and family gatherings dominate commercial and social life during the season. Australians have adopted many British and American customs, including the Easter Bilby campaign—an environmentally conscious alternative to the Easter Bunny that promotes awareness of native wildlife.

Local councils organize community events such as:

• Easter parades in Manly and Leichhardt
• Free outdoor movie screenings in Martin Place
• Artisan markets selling handmade crafts and organic chocolates

These events reflect Sydney’s multicultural identity, blending European traditions with Australian environmental values and Indigenous perspectives on renewal and nature.

Travel and Transportation During the Easter Long Weekend

Easter is one of the busiest domestic travel periods in Australia. Many Sydneysiders take advantage of the long weekend to visit regional destinations like Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, or Canberra. As a result, roads such as the M1 Pacific Motorway and Hume Highway experience increased congestion, especially on Good Friday afternoon and Easter Monday morning.

Public transportation operates on a modified holiday timetable:

• Trains: Operate on a Sunday schedule on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
• Buses: Reduced routes in suburban areas; express services to airports may run normally.
• Ferries: Limited service to Manly and Parramatta River stops.
• Light Rail: Runs on reduced weekend timetables.

Opal card users should note that daily fare caps still apply, but weekend rates are charged throughout the long weekend. Transport for NSW publishes detailed holiday timetables online several weeks in advance.

Common Misconceptions About Easter in Sydney

Several myths persist about how Easter is observed in Sydney:

1. Misconception: Easter Sunday is a public holiday. Fact: Only Good Friday and Easter Monday are official public holidays. Easter Sunday is a religious day but not a government-declared holiday.
2. Misconception: All shops close over Easter. Fact: Major supermarkets and shopping centers often remain open, especially on Easter Sunday, though hours vary.
3. Misconception: The Royal Easter Show happens on Easter weekend. Fact: The show runs for two weeks starting shortly after Easter, usually in early April.

How to Prepare for Easter in Sydney

To make the most of the Easter long weekend, consider the following tips:

• Check retailer hours: Visit Coles.com.au, Woolworths.com.au, or Westfield.com to confirm opening times.
• Plan travel early: Book accommodations and transport in advance to avoid price surges and availability issues.
• Attend community events: Follow local council social media pages for updates on free family activities.
• Verify church service times: Register online if required, especially for large congregations.
• Support local producers: Buy Easter eggs from small chocolatiers or farmers' markets to reduce environmental impact.

Regional Differences Across Australia

While Sydney follows the national pattern, some states differ slightly in holiday recognition. For instance, Tasmania and Western Australia observe a public holiday on Easter Tuesday, which NSW does not. Additionally, retail laws vary—Victoria allows more flexible trading on Easter Sunday than Queensland.

These differences highlight the importance of checking local regulations when traveling interstate during the Easter period. What applies in Sydney may not hold true in Perth or Hobart.

FAQs About When Is Easter in Sydney

When is Easter Sunday in Sydney in 2025?

Easter Sunday in Sydney in 2025 falls on April 20.

Is Easter Monday a public holiday in Sydney?

Yes, Easter Monday is a public holiday in New South Wales, observed on April 21 in 2025.

Are shops open on Good Friday in Sydney?

Most non-essential retailers are closed on Good Friday, but pharmacies, petrol stations, and some supermarkets remain open.

Does Sydney have Easter egg hunts?

Yes, numerous parks and zoos host Easter egg hunts, including Taronga Zoo and Western Sydney Parklands.

What time do churches hold Easter services in Sydney?

Services vary, but sunrise services start around 6 a.m., with main celebrations between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Check individual church websites for exact times.