Is Passover seven or eight days?

Why an extra day abroad

In ancient times the new month was declared by the court in Jerusalem based on witnesses who saw the new moon, and messengers carried the news. Communities far away could not know in time which day was the festival, so they kept two days out of doubt. When the calendar was fixed by calculation, the sages instructed communities abroad to keep the custom of their ancestors.

The structure of Passover

In Israel: one full festival day, five days of chol hamoed and a seventh full day. Outside Israel: two days, four of chol hamoed, and two at the end. Two seders are held outside Israel. Matzah is eaten and leaven avoided throughout.

Travellers

The common practice is that a visitor to Israel who intends to return home keeps two days, privately, and an Israeli abroad keeps one day while avoiding public weekday activity on the second. Customs vary; ask a rabbi before travelling.

Dates

Passover begins at sunset on the eve of 15 Nisan. In 2026 the first seder was on the evening of Wednesday 1 April; in 2027 it is on the evening of Wednesday 21 April. In Israel the festival ends after seven days, outside Israel after eight; the last day abroad is when Yizkor is said in Ashkenazi synagogues.

What chol hamoed means

On the intermediate days work is limited to what is needed for the festival or to prevent a loss; festive clothes are worn and meals are celebratory. Matzah is required only at the seder; for the rest of the week, eating leaven is forbidden but eating matzah is optional.