Is Good Friday a public holiday? What you need to know about the day’s meaning, Lent’s end, and Easter’s approach

With Easter just a few days away, Good Friday takes center stage for many Christians around the world. However, not everyone understands what the day means or whether it is even a holiday. Here's a quick overview of what Good Friday is, how it's observed, and where it's recognized, as per a report by Geneseo Republic.

What exactly is Good Friday about?

Christianity commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ every year on Good Friday, the Friday before Easter. Good Friday has been observed as a day of mourning, penance, and fasting since the beginning of Christianity, according to Britannica.

Some argue that the day's holiness is the reason for its name, while others point to the fact that it is a religious holiday.

When is Good Friday in 2025?

Good Friday falls on April 18, 2025.

How to commemorate Good Friday?

Good Friday observers usually participate in prayer vigils or quiet church services, or they fast in some way. Prayers and scripture readings are typically included in services, along with extinguished candles and drapes of black, purple, or gray over statues, paintings, and crosses.

Is there a public holiday on Good Friday?

While some states, like Illinois, have declared Good Friday a holiday, it is not a federal holiday. This implies that some businesses and schools, as well as government offices, will be closed.

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What is Easter Sunday, and when is it in 2025?

Two days after his crucifixion on Good Friday, Easter Sunday is considered by Christians to be the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Easter is a time of joy, hope, and celebration because of his resurrection, which gives hope and promises eternal life. It is regarded by many as the most significant occasion in the history of Christianity.

Despite Easter's strong religious roots, people celebrate it in a variety of ways all over the world. To make the holiday uniquely theirs, they frequently combine local traditions with church customs.

In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on April 20.

When does Lent officially end?

Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, marks the end of Lent.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that concludes at dusk on Holy Thursday. It is a time of preparation for Easter, when Christians celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.

Christians pray to the Lord by reading from the Bible, they serve by giving alms, and they exercise self-control by fasting during Lent, as per the USCCB.

FAQs

Is Good Friday considered a public holiday?
Not federally, but it is observed in some states, including Illinois.

When does Lent end?
Lent concludes on Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.