Easter Events in Jerusalem 2025

Jerusalem begins to fill up with Christian tourists as Easter approaches. Easter Sunday in 2025 falls on April 20, but special services will take place the whole week before starting on Palm Sunday, April 13. Be prepared for crowds and a wonderful, meaningful experience in the city where you’ll be walking in Jesus’ final footsteps surrounded by fellow believers. Here is a rundown of the annual religious events in the Old City:

Ceremonies and events

Easter in Jerusalem features an entire week of services, ceremonies, and other events.

Palm Sunday - April 13

Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives

Join the popular reenactment of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Participants gather at the Church of Bethpage and begin at 2:30 pm to descend the Mount of Olives, singing hymns and bearing palm fronds.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre The Armenians, Copts, and Syrians make three rounds around the rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Palm Procession starts at 7:00 am, and the daily procession begins at 5:00 pm.

Holy Thursday - April 17

The washing of the feet is a tradition in imitation of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Church of the Holy Sepulchre 8:00 am -- Pontifical Mass (Supper of the Lord & Mass of the Chrism), Procession of the Blessed Sacrament In and around the Old City 3:10 pm -- Pilgrimage from St. Savior's Church (from the entrance from St. Francis Street) to the Cenacle, St. James and St. Mark followed by service with the Washing of the Feet 9:00 pm -- Holy Hour in different languages at the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives followed by private prayer in silence

Good Friday - April 18

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

7:15 am -- Celebration of the Passion of Christ on Calvary in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre 12:15 pm -- Procession of the Way of the Cross at the Via Dolorosa with the Franciscan Fathers 8:10 pm -- “Funeral Procession" in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre The Garden Tomb For Protestants, there is a Good Friday meditative service (English) at the Garden Tomb.

Holy Saturday - April 19

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

6:30 am -- Easter Vigil
3:30 pm: Entry and solemn procession
6:00 pm -- Solemn Vespers the Holy Tomb 11:30 am (Sunday) -- Pontifical celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours at the Altar of Mary Magdalene, presided by the Custos of the Holy Land Late Saturday night is the Holy Fire ceremony. Thousands await the miraculous lighting of the Patriarch’s candle from within the tomb. Caution is advised since the crowds tend to be tight and there has been violence in recent years.

The Garden Tomb

Resurrection Service (Arabic with simultaneous translation to English) In and around the Old City A parade of Armenian marching bands including bagpipes and drums proceed with the Patriarch and priests to the Holy Sepulchre. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land typically holds an Easter sunrise service in English at 5:30 am in the outdoor chapel at the Augusta Victorial Hospital on the Lutheran World Federation Mount of Olives campus. The service will be followed by breakfast, and a 15 NIS donation is suggested.

Easter Sunday - April 20

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre 10:00 am -- Entry of the Latin Patriarch, H.B. Fuad Twal 10:30 am -- Pontifical mass and procession 5:00 pm -- Daily Procession The Garden Tomb Sunrise services in English Resurrection service in English

Easter Monday - April 21

8:00 am -- Jerusalem Holy Sepulcher: Daily Solemn Mass
10:00 am -- Emmaus Qubeibeh: Pontifical Mass & Blessing of bread presided by the Custos
2:30 pm -- Emmaus Qubeibeh: Vespers & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
5:00 pm -- Jerusalem Holy Sepulcher: Daily Procession

More services and events

Get the complete schedule for Easter services at both Catholic and Protestant institutions throughout the city by visiting the Christian Information Centre website.

More to do in Jerusalem and Israel

When you visit Israel for Easter, you are sure to want to get an in-depth understanding of Jerusalem and to visit other holy and interesting sites around Israel. Here are some highly recommended tours in Jerusalem and Israel:

Also see an overview of the major places of worship in Jerusalem and details on how to get to Bethlehem.

Accommodations in Jerusalem

Visiting Jerusalem for Easter? Here are the best accommodation and lodging options that the city has to offer:

Restaurants in Jerusalem

Looking for something to eat? Check out our listings of Jerusalem restaurants.

Easter in Jerusalem 2025