When is Passover 2025?
Complete Pesach dates, times, and observance guide
Passover Begins
Saturday, April 12, 2025
at sundown (15 Nisan 5785)
Passover Ends
Sunday, April 20, 2025
after nightfall (outside Israel)
Key Passover 2025 Dates
First Seder Night
Saturday night, April 12, 2025
Second Seder Night (Diaspora)
Sunday night, April 13, 2025
Stop Eating Chametz
Saturday morning, April 12 (check local times)
Passover Ends
Sunday night, April 20 after nightfall
About Passover (Pesach)
Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt over 3,300 years ago. The holiday celebrates freedom and the birth of the Jewish nation. During Passover, Jews avoid eating chametz (leavened bread) and instead eat matzah (unleavened bread).
The Passover Seder
The centerpiece of Passover is the Seder, a ritual feast held on the first night (and second night in the Diaspora). The Seder follows a specific order of prayers, songs, and symbolic foods while retelling the story of the Exodus.
The Seder Plate
- Maror - Bitter herbs symbolizing the bitterness of slavery
- Charoset - Sweet mixture representing the mortar used by slaves
- Karpas - Vegetable dipped in salt water
- Z'roa - Shank bone representing the Passover sacrifice
- Beitzah - Roasted egg symbolizing mourning and renewal
- Chazeret - Additional bitter herbs
Passover Food Laws
During all 8 days of Passover (7 in Israel), Jews abstain from eating chametz - any food containing wheat, barley, oats, spelt, or rye that has risen. Many also avoid kitniyot (legumes and rice), though this varies by tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Passover is 8 days outside Israel (April 12-20, 2025) and 7 days in Israel (April 12-19, 2025).
Jews outside Israel hold two Seders due to historical uncertainty about the exact date. In Israel, only one Seder is held.
The search for chametz (Bedikat Chametz) is done the night before Passover - Friday night, April 11, 2025.