If your hippie cousin seems a little off at Easter brunch, don’t be alarmed.

Easter Sunday, one of the most important holidays in Christianity, and 4/20, the unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts, fall on the same day this year: April 20.

But why is Easter and 4/20 on the same day? Has it ever happened before?

Here’s everything to know.

When is Easter 2025?

Easter will be on Sunday, April 20.

Why is Easter so late this year?

The date is different every year and falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox.

The U.S. and most of the world use the Gregorian calendar, which can place the date of Easter anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

The Gregorian calendar, instituted by Pope Gregory XIII, went into effect in 1582.

In the 1,417 years from 1583 through 3000, it’s most common for Easter to fall on April 16, with 61 instances. The least common dates are March 22 and 24, with nine instances apiece.

Eastern Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar, which can place the date of Easter anywhere between April 4 and May 8 when it’s converted back to the Gregorian calendar. This year, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes Easter on Sunday, April 20.

What is 4/20?

The pseudo-holiday, commonly known as 4/20, is celebrated by many marijuana smokers both in the United States and around the globe. In states where marijuana is legalized, smokers celebrate their love of the plant through public and private events, including festivals, special film screenings, pipe-making classes and more.

In the U.S., where marijuana is not federally legal, April 20 also serves as a rallying date for advocates of legalization. 

Some businesses, including head shops and dispensaries, also offer discounts on the day.

When is 4/20?

The quasi-holiday occurs annually on April 20, a Sunday this year.

Has Easter ever fallen on 4/20?

Yes, Easter Sunday and 4/20 have coincided several times before. The last time Easter fell on 4/20 was in 2014.

This year will be the 13th time Easter has taken place on April 20 since 1630, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the date didn’t pick up a reputation as a holiday for marijuana enthusiasts until the 1990s.

Here’s a list of years when Easter fell on 4/20:

• 1631
• 1642
• 1710
• 1783
• 1794
• 1851
• 1862
• 1919
• 1924
• 1930
• 2003
• 2014
• 2025

When is the next time Easter will fall on 4/20?

Easter won’t fall on 4/20 again for another 62 years. The next time the two holidays will coincide will be in 2087, per the U.S. Census Bureau.

Is recreational marijuana legal in Ohio?

Recreational marijuana became legal in Ohio just over a year ago, in December 2023, with sales launching at local dispensaries in August 2024.

There are over 130 stores across the state selling recreational marijuana to consumers age 21 and older, meaning Cincinnatians can now walk into approved locations to purchase a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams.

What does 4/20 mean? Why is it associated with marijuana?

According to popular lore, 420 started in the early 1970s by a group of students at Northern California’s San Rafael High School. The group, which dubbed itself the Waldos, used to gather after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke because it was the only time everyone was free to meet.

The timestamp, which became the code for smoking marijuana, eventually spread throughout the country. But psychedelic rock band The Grateful Dead popularized the term.

Dave Reddix, a member of the Waldos, told Time magazine in 2017 that he worked as a roadie for the band’s bassist Phil Lesh. Time reports that during a December show in 1990, some Deadheads in Oakland distributed flyers inviting people to smoke 420 at 4:20 p.m. on April 20.

One of the recipients of the flyer was Steven Bloom, a reporter at The High Times. The popular cannabis publication printed that flyer, and a new observance was born.

However, the truth surrounding the holiday’s origin remains a bit hazy.

Other theories exist about the origins of 420, including references to a California police code and a Bob Dylan song, but the Waldos have remained adamant they are the true architects of the holiday.

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, and Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post, contributed to this report.