When Does Passover Start — and How Long Does It Last?

Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar — filled with history, tradition, storytelling, and symbolic foods.

But if you’re not sure when Passover starts, how long it lasts, or what people do during the holiday, you’re not alone. Whether you’re attending your first Seder or just want to better understand the observance, this guide is for you.

When Does Passover Start?

Passover typically falls in March or April, depending on the Hebrew lunar calendar.

• In 2025, Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20.

📌 Jewish holidays always begin at sundown the night before the date listed on secular calendars.

How Long Does Passover Last?

• In Israel and among Reform and many non-Orthodox Jews, Passover lasts 7 days.
• In traditional and Orthodox communities outside of Israel, it lasts 8 days.

Here’s a quick overview:

🕯️ The first two and last two days are considered sacred and are observed with special meals, services, and rest from work (similar to Shabbat).

What Are the Most Common Passover Traditions?

Passover is filled with meaningful rituals — both spiritual and practical. Here are a few key ones:

1. The Seder Meal

The Seder is a ritual dinner held on the first (and sometimes second) night of Passover. Families gather to:

• Read the Haggadah (a guidebook retelling the Exodus story)
• Ask the Four Questions
• Eat symbolic foods
• Share prayers, songs, and conversation

2. The Seder Plate

Each item on the plate has deep meaning:

• Matzah: Unleavened bread, symbolizing haste and humility
• Maror: Bitter herbs, symbolizing slavery
• Charoset: Sweet mixture of apples, nuts, and wine (symbolizes mortar)
• Karpas: A green vegetable dipped in salt water (symbolizing spring and tears)
• Zeroa: A roasted bone, symbolizing the Passover sacrifice
• Beitzah: A roasted egg, symbol of life and mourning

3. Avoiding Chametz (Leavened Foods)

For the full week, observant Jews refrain from eating anything made with:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Rye
• Oats
• Spelt
  …that has been leavened (risen with yeast or fermentation)

Common forbidden foods include bread, pasta, cereal, beer, and more.

🍞 Instead, people eat matzah — flat, unleavened bread that reminds us of the Israelites’ quick departure from Egypt.

4. Spring Cleaning & Chametz Removal

In preparation for Passover, many families do a deep spring clean to remove all traces of chametz (leavened items) from the home.

This often includes:

• Cleaning kitchen cabinets and drawers
• Selling or donating pantry goods
• Using up ingredients beforehand
• Switching to Passover-specific cookware and dishes

5. Reflection, Renewal, and Family Connection

Beyond the rituals, Passover is a time to:

• Reflect on personal freedom
• Teach younger generations
• Enjoy family meals and storytelling
• Connect tradition to modern values like justice, liberation, and sustainability

Quick Recap: Passover Basics

Bonus Tip: Celebrate Sustainably

Many modern families are finding ways to make Passover more eco-conscious:

• Use cloth napkins and reusable dishes
• Choose local, organic ingredients
• Opt for natural wine or grape juice
• Compost food scraps from the Seder
• Clean with non-toxic, biodegradable products

🌍 Passover is about freedom — and that can include freedom from overconsumption and environmental harm, too.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re Jewish, interfaith, or just learning, Passover is a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and tradition. From ancient rituals to modern table settings, it offers space to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine — in a way that feels meaningful for you.

This year, as Passover approaches, consider not just when it starts — but how you want to bring it to life.