When is Passover 2029?
Passover 2029 begins at sunset on Saturday, March 31, 2029, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 8, 2029.
The eight-day festival (15-22 Nissan 5789 in the Hebrew calendar) commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus.
Passover 2029 Calendar: Day-by-Day Breakdown
| Day | Hebrew Date | Gregorian Date | Day of Week | Observance Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Day | 15 Nissan 5789 | March 31, 2029 | Saturday | Yom Tov (Holy Day) – First Seder |
| Second Day | 16 Nissan 5789 | April 1, 2029 | Sunday | Yom Tov (Holy Day) – Second Seder |
| Chol Hamoed | 17 Nissan 5789 | April 2, 2029 | Monday | Intermediate Day |
| Chol Hamoed | 18 Nissan 5789 | April 3, 2029 | Tuesday | Intermediate Day |
| Chol Hamoed | 19 Nissan 5789 | April 4, 2029 | Wednesday | Intermediate Day |
| Chol Hamoed | 20 Nissan 5789 | April 5, 2029 | Thursday | Intermediate Day |
| Seventh Day | 21 Nissan 5789 | April 6, 2029 | Friday | Yom Tov (Holy Day) – Yizkor |
| Eighth Day | 22 Nissan 5789 | April 8, 2029 | Sunday | Yom Tov (Holy Day) – Last Day |
Note: In Israel, Passover is observed for 7 days (ending April 7, 2029), with only one Seder night.
What Makes Passover 2029 Unique?
1. Shabbat Start
Passover 2029 begins on Saturday evening (March 31), meaning the first Seder coincides with the end of Shabbat. This creates a beautiful spiritual transition known as “Motza’ei Shabbat” when the day of rest flows into the festival of freedom.
Practical Implications:
- Seder preparations must be completed before Shabbat begins (Friday evening, March 30)
- Candle lighting combines both Shabbat and Yom Tov blessings
- No cooking or preparations can be done on Saturday until after Havdalah
2. Early Spring Timing
Beginning March 31, Passover 2029 occurs relatively early in the spring season, which means:
- Milder weather for outdoor Seders and celebrations
- Ideal travel conditions for family gatherings
- Aligns with spring renewal themes central to Passover symbolism
3. Weekend Seder Nights
Both Seders fall on weekend nights (Saturday and Sunday), making it easier for:
- Working families to attend without scheduling conflicts
- Children to participate fully without school the next day
- Extended family gatherings and longer celebrations
Passover 2029 Observance Guide
Holy Days (Yom Tov) in Passover 2029
Work Restrictions Apply:
- First Day: Saturday, March 31, 2029
- Second Day: Sunday, April 1, 2029
- Seventh Day: Friday, April 6, 2029
- Eighth Day: Sunday, April 8, 2029
On these days, work is prohibited except for food preparation and certain other exceptions. Observant Jews attend synagogue services and refrain from creative labor.
Intermediate Days (Chol Hamoed)
April 2-5, 2029 are the intermediate festival days when:
- Work is permitted (though some maintain stricter practices)
- Festive meals continue
- Chametz (leavened products) remains prohibited
- Special prayers and Torah readings are recited
- Many families take trips or outings during this period
Key Times for Passover 2029
Candle Lighting Times
Times vary by location. Below are approximate times for major cities.
First Night (March 31, 2029):
- New York: 7:15 PM
- Los Angeles: 7:25 PM
- Chicago: 7:10 PM
- Miami: 7:35 PM
- Jerusalem: 6:25 PM
- London: 7:45 PM
- Toronto: 7:20 PM
Note: Check your local Jewish calendar for precise candle lighting times in your area, as they vary by latitude and longitude.
Search for Chametz
The night before Passover (Friday, March 30, 2029), Jewish families conduct Bedikat Chametz, a ceremonial search for leavened bread using a candle, feather, and wooden spoon.
Burning of Chametz
Saturday morning, March 31, 2029 (before 10:00 AM in most locations) – the final removal of chametz before Passover begins.
Fast of the Firstborn
Friday, March 30, 2029 – Traditionally, firstborn males fast on the day before Passover. Many attend a siyum (completion of Torah study) to break the fast.
Passover Seder Night 2029: What to Expect
The First Seder – Saturday, March 31, 2029
The Seder is the centerpiece of Passover, featuring:
15 Steps of the Seder:
- Kadesh (Kiddush – sanctification)
- Urchatz (washing hands)
- Karpas (eating vegetable dipped in salt water)
- Yachatz (breaking the middle matzah)
- Maggid (telling the Exodus story)
- Rachtzah (washing hands before meal)
- Motzi (blessing over matzah)
- Matzah (eating matzah)
- Maror (eating bitter herbs)
- Korech (Hillel sandwich)
- Shulchan Orech (festive meal)
- Tzafun (eating the afikoman)
- Barech (grace after meals)
- Hallel (songs of praise)
- Nirtzah (conclusion)
Traditional Seder Elements:
- Seder plate with symbolic foods
- Four cups of wine
- Matzah (unleavened bread)
- Reading from the Haggadah
- Four Questions asked by the youngest child
- Opening the door for Elijah the Prophet
The Second Seder – Sunday, April 1, 2029
In the Diaspora (outside Israel), a second Seder is held on the second night, repeating the same service with equal importance and joy.
Passover 2029 Food Restrictions
Prohibited: Chametz (Leavened Products)
For all eight days, the following are forbidden:
- Bread, pasta, cereal made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt
- Leavened baked goods
- Beer and grain-based alcohol
- Any food containing these grains
Permitted: Passover-Approved Foods
- Matzah (unleavened bread)
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, fish (with kosher certification)
- Eggs and dairy products
- Potatoes, rice (for those who eat kitniyot)
- Wine with Kosher for Passover certification
Kitniyot Debate
Ashkenazi Jews traditionally avoid kitniyot (legumes, rice, corn) during Passover, while Sephardic Jews permit them. In recent years, some Ashkenazi communities have begun allowing kitniyot.
Passover 2029 Vacation Planning
School Breaks
Many Jewish day schools and communities have spring break aligned with Passover:
- Typical Break: March 31 – April 8, 2029
- Check with local schools for specific schedules
Travel Considerations
Popular Passover Destinations:
- Israel (especially for American Jews)
- Florida resorts with Passover programs
- Passover hotel programs worldwide
- European cities with active Jewish communities
Travel Tips:
- Book early – Passover hotel programs fill up months in advance
- Verify kosher-for-Passover food availability at your destination
- Consider flight prices, which peak around Jewish holidays
- Check synagogue schedules if traveling during the holiday
Passover Programs 2029
Many hotels worldwide offer comprehensive Passover programs including:
- All meals kosher for Passover
- Communal Seders led by experienced rabbis
- Daily services and Torah classes
- Children’s programs and entertainment
- All food prepared under rabbinic supervision
Synagogue Services During Passover 2029
Special Prayers and Readings
First Two Days (March 31 – April 1):
- Full Hallel (songs of praise)
- Torah reading about the Exodus
- Yizkor memorial service (second day in some communities)
Intermediate Days (April 2-5):
- Partial Hallel
- Special Torah readings
- Priestly blessing in some communities
Last Two Days (April 6-8):
- Full Hallel
- Torah reading about crossing the Red Sea
- Song of the Sea (Shirat HaYam) chanted
- Yizkor memorial service (eighth day)
Yizkor Memorial Service
Observed on April 6 and April 8, 2029, Yizkor is a memorial service for deceased relatives, recited four times yearly including on Passover’s last days.
Counting the Omer: Starting Passover 2029
Beginning on the second night of Passover (April 1, 2029), Jews begin counting the Omer – a 49-day count linking Passover to Shavuot.
What is the Omer?
- Daily blessing counting each day for 49 days
- Commemorates the journey from physical freedom (Passover) to spiritual revelation (Shavuot)
- Ends with Shavuot on May 20, 2029
Passover 2029 Shopping & Preparation Guide
When to Start Preparing
4 Weeks Before (Early March 2029):
- Begin menu planning
- Order specialty items
- Book any travel or hotel programs
2 Weeks Before (Mid-March 2029):
- Start using up chametz products
- Purchase non-perishable Passover foods
- Plan Seder logistics (guests, seating, Haggadahs)
1 Week Before (March 24, 2029):
- Deep clean kitchen and home
- Purchase perishable items
- Prepare dishes that can be frozen
Final Days (March 28-30, 2029):
- Complete all cooking (before Shabbat on March 30)
- Search for chametz (Friday night, March 30)
- Burn chametz (Saturday morning, March 31)
Historical Significance of Passover 2029
Passover 2029 marks 3,341 years since the Exodus from Egypt (traditionally dated to 1312 BCE in the Hebrew calendar year 2448).
The Exodus Story
Passover commemorates:
- 210 years of slavery in Egypt
- Ten plagues brought upon Egypt
- The parting of the Red Sea
- Journey to Mount Sinai and receiving the Torah
- Foundation of the Jewish nation
Modern Relevance
Beyond historical commemoration, Passover represents:
- Universal themes of freedom vs. oppression
- Social justice and liberation
- Memory and continuity across generations
- Hope for future redemption
Passover 2029 Compared to Other Years
| Year | Start Date | Day of Week | Hebrew Year | Days Until Passover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 12 | Saturday | 5785 | Past |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday | 5786 | Past |
| 2027 | April 21 | Wednesday | 5787 | Past |
| 2028 | April 10 | Monday | 5788 | 1 year before |
| 2029 | March 31 | Saturday | 5789 | Current |
| 2030 | April 17 | Wednesday | 5790 | 1 year after |
| 2031 | April 7 | Monday | 5791 | 2 years after |
Final Thoughts
Passover 2029 offers a unique convergence of sacred time – beginning with Shabbat and extending through a full week of spring renewal. Whether you’re hosting your first Seder or continuing decades of family tradition, this Passover invites us all to retell the ancient story of liberation and make it our own.
As we gather around Seder tables on the evening of March 31, 2029, we join generations past and future in proclaiming: “Next year in Jerusalem!”
Chag Pesach Sameach – Happy Passover 2029!
Sources & References
This Passover 2029 calendar is calculated according to traditional Jewish calendar calculations and verified against:
