Passover 2025: Exact Dates, Duration and What to Know About the Holiday.

More than 70 percent of American Jews celebrate Passover with a Seder. This makes Passover one of the most observed Jewish holidays in the United States. If you’re wondering what day is Passover this year, here’s the answer and why it’s important.

Passover 2025 starts at sundown on Saturday, April 12, with the first Seder after nightfall. It begins on the Hebrew date of 15 Nisan and lasts until 22 Nisan. In the U.S., traditional communities celebrate for eight days, ending on Sunday, April 20. In Israel, most people observe for seven days.

This timing is why people search for when is the Passover and when is passover in 2025 every spring.

The festival celebrates the Exodus, the move from slavery to freedom. It’s retold with the Haggadah, song, and symbolic foods. Families avoid chametz and eat matzah, a reminder of haste and hope.

If you need the exact Passover 2025 date or want to compare Passover Dates 2025, this guide helps. It explains the dates and what to expect on the first two nights.

From the first cup of wine to the final nightfall, Passover 2025 invites people to remember, gather, and renew. Here, you’ll find the precise Passover 2025 date details, how long it lasts, and why these rituals are meaningful across generations.

Passover Dates 2025

Families planning for Passover look for clear dates and a guide. The start and end times vary by city. Below, we explain when Passover begins, ends, and its place in the Hebrew calendar.

When does Passover start 2025?

Passover starts at sundown on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The Jewish day begins in the evening. So, the first moments of the festival come after sunset.

When does Passover end?

Passover ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20, 2025, for those observing eight days. Nightfall is when the sky is dark enough for three medium stars. This time can change by location.

First and second Seder nights in 2025

The first Seder is after nightfall on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The second Seder is after nightfall on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in the Diaspora. These nights mark the beginning of Passover 2025.

Jewish Passover 2025 in the Hebrew calendar

Jewish Passover 2025 in the Hebrew calendar spans from 15 Nisan to 22 Nisan in the Diaspora. This period falls from sunset April 12 to nightfall April 20, 2025. This helps match Passover 2025 dates with local schedules and candle-lighting times.

Quick note: Times depend on location; always check a local listing for exact nightfall. This overview ensures Passover 2025 planning fits both the calendar and tradition.

What Is Passover (Pesach)?

Passover is a spring festival that tells a story of freedom and tradition. It’s a time when people come together to celebrate and remember. The holiday is celebrated in the spring, following the Hebrew calendar.

Meaning of Pesach and the Exodus story

Pesach commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. Moses led them out after ten plagues. On the 15th of Nisan, they ate lamb and matzah, and marked their doorposts with blood.

The Haggadah guides the Seder, ensuring the story is told each year. It’s a way to keep the Exodus alive for future generations.

For those curious about the start of Passover, the Exodus timeline is key. The 15th day of Nisan is marked in sources like the Passover entry. As people look forward to Passover 2025, they revisit these details to prepare for the Seder.

Why it’s called “to pass over”

The Hebrew word “Pesach” means “to pass over.” It refers to God sparing Israelite homes during the final plague. The English term “Passover” captures this essence, making the holiday’s purpose clear.

Because the calendar changes with the lunar cycle, families always ask when is Passover. This search connects language, faith, and time.

Core themes: freedom, remembrance, and tradition

Passover is about freedom and remembering. The Seder tells the Exodus story, inspiring empathy and courage. It’s a time for families to learn and grow together.

Traditions also look forward. The Counting of the Omer starts after the first nights, linking spring renewal to promise. As Passover 2025 approaches, households prepare and gather to remember together.

How Long Does Passover Last?

Many people wonder how long Passover lasts and how many days it spans. The answer varies based on where you are and your tradition. In Israel, it’s seven days. In the U.S. and many other places, it’s often eight days for some, but seven for others.

In 2025, Passover starts at sundown on April 12 and ends at nightfall on April 20 in most places. If you follow the seven-day tradition, it ends on April 19. This is true for Israel and some communities.

To see past and future dates, check out Pesach 2025 dates. This shows that the length of Passover can differ by community. It helps families plan their Seders, travel, and work better.

Key takeaway for planning: Passover’s length depends on local custom. It’s seven days in Israel and often eight elsewhere. So, check your community’s tradition when planning your calendar.

Passover 2025 at a Glance: Key Times and Observances

Passover timing is based on the Hebrew calendar. Days start at sunset and end at sunset. Families plan meals, travel, and synagogue services around these times.

Does Passover start at sundown?

Yes, it does. The holiday starts the evening before 15 Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. In 2025, the first Seder is on Saturday night, April 12. So, does passover start at sundown? It does—home rituals and synagogue services begin after sunset.

This pattern helps answer what day does passover end for local schedules: start at sunset, then count days by evenings and mornings, not midnight to midnight.

Nightfall and the end of the holiday

Jewish law ends holy days at nightfall, when three medium stars are visible. In 2025, the festival concludes on Sunday night, April 20, at nightfall in most calendars.

Travelers often ask when is passover over or when does passover end this year because end times vary by city. Check a local candle-lighting chart to confirm the minute. For clarity, when is passover over this year aligns with nightfall on April 20 for communities keeping the longer Diaspora practice.

U.S. observance vs. Israel observance

Customs differ by location. In Israel, the festival runs seven days, ending at nightfall on Monday, April 21 on the civil calendar’s last evening counted by local practice. In the United States and most of the Diaspora, traditional communities observe eight days, ending at nightfall on Sunday, April 20.

Some Reform congregations in the U.S. keep seven days, which changes what day does passover end for those households. Because practices vary, many consult their synagogue bulletin to confirm when passover ends and when does passover end this year in their city.

Quick tip: If wondering when is passover over or when is passover over this year in your city, use a trusted Jewish calendar with your ZIP code to get the exact nightfall time.

Traditions and the Seder: What to Expect the First Two Nights

Many families start the first two nights with stories, songs, and rituals. They set out symbols, wine glasses, and matzah. They also check the passover 2025 dates and plan for guests and meals.

Order of the Seder and the Haggadah

The word “Seder” means “order” in Hebrew. The night follows a set order. The Haggadah guides with blessings, questions, and readings.

It helps tell the story of Exodus. Hosts often use a familiar Haggadah for everyone to follow. This keeps the pace and focus, no matter the group size.

Symbolic foods: matzah, maror, and four cups of wine

Matzah is bread made quickly. Maror is bitter herb, symbolizing slavery. Together, they tell the story through taste.

Guests drink four cups of wine at key moments. Each cup represents a promise of redemption.

Charoset and its symbolism

Charoset is a sweet mix, like the bricks made by enslaved Jews. It’s made with apples, walnuts, cinnamon, and grape juice or sweet wine.

Some add honey, raisins, or dried apricots for texture. The sweetness balances the bitterness of maror, bringing hope.

Seder customs across communities

In the U.S. and many places, there are two Seder nights. In Israel, there’s just one. These customs influence how families plan their Seder.

They compare passover 2025 dates with community norms. This ensures guests can attend both nights or just one. The Haggadah keeps the story at the center, no matter where.

Foods to Eat and Avoid During Passover

During Passover, kitchens focus on simple, traditional foods. Many wonder about chametz, the holiday’s rules, and if they vary by location. The observance lasts until the last day of Passover, guiding meal planning for the week.

What is chametz and why it’s avoided

Chametz is leaven from grains like wheat and barley that rise too long. This is why bread, cakes, pasta, and many beers are forbidden. Eating, owning, or keeping chametz is not allowed during the holiday.

Yeast isn’t always the problem; wine is needed at the Seder. Chemical leaveners like baking soda are okay, but recipes must avoid doughs with the five grains. These rules last until the end of Passover, varying by location.

Permitted staples: matzah and more

Matzah is key, symbolizing the Exodus’s urgency. It comes as plain sheets, hand-baked shmurah, and matzah meal. Recipes with matzah meal and chemical leaveners are fine, but yeast or sourdough are not.

Fresh produce, eggs, kosher-for-Passover dairy, nuts, and oils complete the pantry. Products labeled “kosher for Passover” ensure compliance from start to finish.

Popular Passover dishes: gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, brisket

Classic dishes include gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, and slow-cooked brisket. Tzimmes and salads add variety.

Desserts like flourless cakes, coconut macaroons, and chocolate-dipped fruit are popular. Charoset, a sweet mix, is enjoyed at the Seder and later meals.

Calendar Details: Hebrew Dates Behind the 2025 Observance

The Jewish Passover in 2025 starts on 15 Nisan and ends on 22 Nisan. The Hebrew day begins at sunset. So, Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20 in the U.S. This timing honors the spring season mentioned in the Torah.

The eve of 15 Nisan marks the Nisan 14 sacrifice. The Festival of Unleavened Bread follows for a week. Over time, these events became known as “Passover.” Knowing when Passover starts is about the sunset that marks the beginning of each Hebrew day.

In Israel, Passover lasts seven days, ending on 21 Nisan. Many outside of Israel celebrate for eight days, until 22 Nisan. The rabbinic calendar ensures 15 Nisan falls on a weekday. In 2025, it’s on Sunday, April 13, setting the first Seder for that night.

Why these shifts on the Gregorian calendar? The Hebrew calendar adds a leap month to keep Passover in spring. This is why the date of Passover changes each year, even though the Hebrew dates stay the same. This system makes it easy to know when Passover is each year.

Planning for Passover 2025 is simple. It’s fixed to 15–22 Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. This makes it easy to know when Passover starts and ends. The civil dates, from April 12 to April 20, help with daily plans, travel, and home prep.

Common Searches Answered: When is Passover this year and related queries

Many people ask when is passover this year and what day is the passover on local calendars. The dates change because they are based on sunset and nightfall. This means they can be different in each city.

Passover 2025 date variations online (passover 2025, passover 2025 dates)

Most calendars agree that passpver 2025 starts at sundown on Saturday, April 12. It lasts until the next week. If a site says Sunday, April 13, it’s because it follows the civil date after sunset.

Time zones and how nightfall is calculated can make the dates seem different. This answers questions like when is pass over or when is pasover.

When is the last day of Passover and when is Passover over this year

Users often search for when is the last day of passover or when is passover over this year. In the United States and most of the Diaspora, the last day is Sunday, April 20, 2025. It ends at nightfall.

In Israel, it ends a day earlier at nightfall. For when is passover over or when does passiver end, check local nightfall times.

How many days is Passover and how long does Passover last

People wonder how long does passover last? Traditional Diaspora communities celebrate for eight days. Many Reform communities and Israel celebrate for seven days.

This means the length of passover varies by community and location. So, the answer to how many days is passover depends on where you are.

When did Passover start and why the dates change each year

Passover started with the Exodus story and the spring festival on 15 Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar is lunar-solar, so the civil dates change each year.

This is why when is passover this year and passover 2025 dates are different. Even though the festival always starts on the same Hebrew date, the civil dates shift.

Tip: To find the right passover 2025 dates, check your city, time zone, and local nightfall. This helps solve most “when is passover over this year” and “when is passover over” questions.

Conclusion

Passover 2025 brings the Exodus story to life in homes. It starts at sundown on Saturday, April 12, with the first Seder. The second Seder follows on April 13. In the United States and other Diaspora communities, it lasts eight days, ending on Sunday, April 20.

In Israel, it runs for seven days, until 21 Nisan. These details answer two key questions: when does passover end and how long is passover?

During the week, families read the Haggadah and avoid chametz. They share matzah with foods like maror and charoset. The schedule follows the Hebrew calendar, 15–22 Nisan, starting at sunset and ending at nightfall.

This keeps the festival in spring, aligning with renewal. It also honors ancient timekeeping.

For planning, the basics are clear: passover 2025 starts at sundown on April 12 and ends at nightfall on April 20 in the Diaspora. In Israel, it lasts seven days. Knowing these dates helps plan Seder times, travel, and kitchen prep.

With story, song, and shared tables, the holiday turns memory into action. It makes tradition a lived practice.