Norske kalendereEaster Sunday
Norwegian: Første påskedag
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is the most important Christian holiday. Easter always falls on a Sunday and is a public holiday in Norway.
History
Easter is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The date of Easter is not fixed — it is calculated by an ancient rule and falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. The celebration of the resurrection dates back to the earliest Christian communities.
Norwegian Traditions
Easter is Norway's biggest holiday. Millions of Norwegians go on Easter vacation — either to the mountains for skiing or to warmer destinations. Easter eggs, oranges, Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bars, and crime fiction are inseparable parts of Norwegian Easter culture. NRK (Norwegian public broadcaster) shows Easter crime series on TV, and Easter riddles are popular for children.
Countdown to Easter Sunday 2026
Easter Sunday 2024–2030
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 Mar 2024 | Sunday |
| 2025 | 20 Apr 2025 | Sunday |
| 2026 | 5 Apr 2026 | Sunday |
| 2027 | 28 Mar 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | 16 Apr 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | 1 Apr 2029 | Sunday |
| 2030 | 21 Apr 2030 | Sunday |
Frequently asked questions about Easter Sunday
In 2026, Easter falls in early April. Easter Sunday is April 5th, and Easter Monday is April 6th. The Easter holiday stretches from Palm Sunday March 29th through Easter Monday April 6th.
Easter is a moveable feast based on a combination of the solar and lunar calendars. The rule is that Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21st). Easter can therefore fall on any date between March 22nd and April 25th.
Norwegian Easter traditions include trips to the "Easter mountain" (cabin holidays in the highlands), Easter crime fiction (crime series on TV and crime novels — a uniquely Norwegian phenomenon), Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bars and oranges on ski trips, Easter eggs filled with sweets, and decorating with yellow and green colours.
"Påskekrim" is a uniquely Norwegian phenomenon that started in 1923 when a publisher placed an advertisement in Aftenposten newspaper that looked like a real news headline. Since then, crime entertainment at Easter has become a fixed tradition — from crime series on TV to riddles on milk cartons.
Norway has four public holidays during Easter: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Most schools have the entire Holy Week off as Easter holiday.