Easter Sunday 2025

Description

Easter Sunday is an important Christian holiday that marks the belief that Jesus rose from the dead. For many people it is a time to think about hope, new life, and being with family and friends.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen are parts of Norway so they follow the same public holiday calendar. Easter Sunday moves each year. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that comes on or after March 21.

Because the date changes, Easter can be in March or April. The changing date links the holiday to both the sun and the moon. This old way of setting the date goes back many centuries.

In Svalbard and Jan Mayen the day is a public holiday. Shops, offices, and many services may close or run limited hours. The holiday is treated with respect across the islands.

The significance is both religious and cultural. For Christians it is the most important day of the church year. For the wider community it is a marked day of rest, reflection, and seasonal change.

Traditions

In Svalbard people often spend Easter together in small groups. They go skiing, ride snowmobiles, or walk on packed snow. In Jan Mayen the few station workers have simple outdoor fun and share stories around small bonfires when weather allows.

Meals are big and cozy. Families and colleagues eat lamb, fish, bread and chocolate eggs. They drink hot cocoa, coffee, and sometimes a special beer. Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bars and oranges are common for outdoor trips and breaks.

Indoor traditions include church services and reading crime stories and watching mystery shows. People decorate with candles and small yellow flowers or chicks. The mood is friendly and relaxed, focused on being together in the Arctic setting.

Travel Tips

Many shops, offices, and some tour operators close or run reduced hours on Easter Sunday in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Check transport and tour schedules in advance, bring extra food and medicine, and carry important phone numbers for emergencies.

Book any guided trips early, as popular excursions may fill before the holiday. Dress very warmly, keep distance from wildlife, stick to marked trails, and respect local rules. Attend any community events if invited, but plan for quieter services and limited public services that day.