Easter 2025, 2026 and 2027 in Rwanda
Easter is regarded as the most important holy day by Christians, and in Rwanda it is celebrated with two holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | |
| 2026 | 3 Apr | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | |
| 2027 | 26 Mar | Fri | Good Friday |
| 29 Mar | Mon | Easter Monday | |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
The date of the holiday changes each year based on the centuries-old calculations that determine the Christian Ecclesiastical Calendar, such that the date of Easter Sunday can be anytime between 22 March and 25 April.
Even though Easter Sunday is the high-point of the season, it itself is not an official holiday because all Sundays are considered holidays anyway. Around 90 percent of the people of Rwanda are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics.
The Easter Vigil on the Saturday before Easter is key in Rwanda. Churches are heavily decorated with colourful “Kanga” fabrics that may have religious designs on them. Drums beat steadily and women give out an occasional high-pitched sound called “kigelegele”, even as congregational hymns are sung.
After the service, people may go outside of the church to engage in traditional Rwandan dancing. At home, they indulge in a delicious feast that breaks the Lenten fast that has been going on for 40 days. Not everyone observes Lent, but those who do appreciate the rich foods of Easter dinner even more.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 Mar | Fri | Good Friday |
| 1 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | |
| 2023 | 7 Apr | Fri | Good Friday |
| 10 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday |