Interesting Easter Traditions Around the World

Easter, which falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following March 21, is celebrated by Christians worldwide to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday spans from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday also marks a day of reflection and celebration. It’s a time filled with fun traditions like egg hunts, decorating eggs, and enjoying festive meals with family. Many also celebrate with candy and chocolate bunnies and by attending church services. But Easter celebrations differ around the world and various countries have their own unique customs and exciting traditions.

Kite Flying in Bermuda

In Bermuda, Easter is taken to new heights, pun intended. On Good Friday, locals craft colorful kites using wooden sticks and paper, and adorn them with buzzing “hummers.” Families gather to fly their kites, or they head to Horseshoe Bay Beach for the annual Kite Festival, filling the sky with these homemade creations.

A Giant Omelet in France

On Easter Monday, the French town of Haux celebrates by preparing a massive omelet made from more than 15,000 eggs, which are cracked into a giant pan to create a dish that serves more than 1,000 people. This tradition dates back to Napoléon Bonaparte, who, while traveling through southern France, stopped in a small town and enjoyed the omelets so much, that he asked the locals to make a huge one for his whole army.

Butter Lambs and Easter Breakfast in Poland

In Poland, Easter breakfast features butter molded into the shape of lambs, symbolizing Jesus Christ. This “Baranek wielkanocny” is a staple on Polish tables and accompanies dishes like white sausage and ‘mazurek,’ a traditional Easter cake.

Egg Rolling in Scotland and Northern England

In countries like Scotland and Northern England, Easter Monday is celebrated with egg rolling. Hard-boiled eggs are decorated and rolled down grassy hills or slopes, and this symbolizes the rolling away of the stone from Jesus’ tomb after He was resurrected.

Water Sprinkling in Hungary and Poland

In Hungary and Poland, Easter Monday is marked by a playful tradition called water sprinkling, or “Śmigus-Dyngus.” On this day, men splash water on women, a custom thought to symbolize cleansing and renewal. In Poland, it’s also a way to celebrate spring and fertility, while in Hungary, it’s known as “Sprinkling Monday,” where the tradition often includes songs and poems.

The Easter Bilby in Australia

In Australia, the Easter Bunny is replaced by the Easter Bilby to help raise awareness about the small rabbit-size marsupial’s endangered status. So instead of chocolate bunnies, you’ll find chocolate bilbies, and the proceeds go toward supporting wildlife conservation efforts. It’s a sweet way to celebrate and protect this unique Aussie native.

The Easter Witch Tradition in Sweden

In Sweden and parts of Scandinavia, kids celebrate a Halloween-like tradition just before Easter. On the Thursday before Easter, they dress up as witches, complete with broomsticks and copper kettles, and go door-to-door for candy. In exchange, they often give adults decorated willow branches or drawings. This tradition is linked to the legend of witches flying to Blåkulla before Easter to party with the devil, and to ward them off, Swedes light huge bonfires on Easter Sunday.

Easter Crime Mysteries in Norway

It’s crime time! In Norway, Easter is celebrated with the tradition of ‘Påskekrimmen,’ where people dive into crime stories and thrillers. From books to TV shows and more, murder mysteries take center stage during the holiday and keep the entire country on the edge of their seats.

These diverse Easter traditions showcase the creative and fun ways people celebrate the holiday around the world.