If you’re a secular egg-hunter, the holiday starts whenever the grocery store starts stocking Cadbury Creme Eggs. That’s usually January 2nd. I’m not joking. Last year, I saw Easter candy next to the Valentine’s Day hearts. Capitalism, baby.
For families, the “start” often feels like the Friday before Easter, when school lets out, or the Saturday when you dye eggs and realize you have no white vinegar. That’s the real start: chaos and sticky fingers.
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And let’s not forget the Easter Bunny. That fluffy freeloader shows up on Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on your family’s weird traditions. So for kids, Easter starts when they wake up and find a basket full of sugar and plastic grass.
So, When Does It Actually Start?
Okay, let’s be friends and give you a straight answer. If you’re asking for church calendar purposes:
- Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (about 6 weeks before Easter).
- Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday (the week before Easter).
- The Triduum starts on Holy Thursday evening.
- Easter Sunday is the big bang.
- Easter season lasts until Pentecost (50 days after Easter).
So, the holiday “starts” at multiple points. It’s like a slow-burn series with multiple premieres.
If you’re asking for party purposes: it starts with the first jellybean you sneak from the bag. That’s the only answer that matters.
