Hop Around the World While We Unwrap Easter Traditions Across the Globe

Author: Maheshwari Vickyraj, Content Writer

While many of us in the UK enjoy the long, four-day weekend with egg hunts and plenty of sweet treats, different countries have their own unique Easter traditions to celebrate. From the vibrant streets of Spain's Semana Santa to the tropical beauty of Bermuda, we’re cracking the egg on global Easter traditions.

Let’s get into the Easter holiday spirit and immerse in colourful customs and mouthwatering treats that’ll leave you bunny-hopping!

1. Taste An Omelette - France

Be part of the “Giant Omelette Festival” in a small town called Bessières in southwest France. The locals are known to crack open around 15,000 eggs and cook them in a large pan, which would feed around 2000 people! Legend has it that Napolean Bonaparte visited this small village and requested an egg be prepared for him. He enjoyed it so much that he ordered a large one to be made for his troops, thus starting the tradition of cooking a large egg on Easter in this small town. 

What to expect? Imagine enormous wooden spoons that look more like oars being used to stir the eggs in a massive pan over an open fire in the town square. The multi-day festival includes dancing, music, and parades, but the omelette-making is the main event. So, make sure you reach early and dig in!

2. Make A Splash - Greece and Hungary  

Don’t be surprised when old pots are hurled out of windows and onto the streets below during Easter Saturday mornings as a tradition on the Greek island of Corfu. The Venetians of Italy inspired this custom by similarly casting out their belongings as part of their own tradition. In Hungary, Easter Monday brings a quirky tradition known as "sprinkling," where men playfully sprinkle perfume or water on women's hair in exchange for painted eggs or treats. It's a way to enjoy and spread joy during the holiday season!

What to expect? Embrace the fun spirit, carry a bottle of water, and sprinkle others while wishing them good health and prosperity. Don't be afraid to take part in the pot-throwing tradition; it's a fun and cool way to embrace local culture and superstition.

3. Egg-Citing Traditions - Germany

Easter bouquets are a common sight in German homes during the spring season. Typically, the branches consist of blossoms or fresh sprouts and are usually cut on Holy Thursday, then placed in a vase until Easter Sunday. Parents often help children paint and decorate the eggshell branches, symbolising the re-awakening of nature in spring.

On Maundy Thursday, it's customary to enjoy something green, also known as "Gründonnerstag" or "green Thursday." During Easter, many indulge in spiced sweet bread containing eggs, dairy, and topped with almonds, candied peel, and raisins. It's a favourite for breakfast or a midday snack. Keep an eye out for other seasonal treats like "Osterlamm" (Easter lamb-shaped cakes) and "Osterfladen" (Easter tarts), which are popular during the holiday season.

What to expect? Get into the fun Easter Monday vibe by joining in the tradition of "Ostermontag" and egg tapping, also known as "Eierpecken." Challenge your friends and family to a competition to see whose egg can stay uncracked the longest.

4. Fly A Kite - Bermuda

Flying kites to relishing hot cross buns, this island comes alive with all things colourful and vibrant, from blending spring-inspired events and festivals to culinary delights, while seeing religious customaries. In the coming weeks of Easter, locals start crafting kites with wooden sticks and brightly coloured tissue paper. During Good Friday, families come together at beaches or parks to enjoy traditional games and some kite-flying fun. For Easter celebrations, Bermudians enjoy a special mix of hot cross buns and codfish cakes. Hot cross buns stand for the end of Lent, with the cross on top symbolising the crucifixion.

What to expect? Immerse yourself in Bermuda's vibrant cultural scene and discover the island's unique artistic and musical traditions. Join in on the excitement by buying or creating your own kite and visiting one of the island's approved kite-flying spots, like Horseshoe Bay Beach or Elbow Beach.

5. Parade Perfection - Spain

An Easter celebration wouldn't be the same without a parade, and Spain's Semana Santa processions are truly majestic. Malaga and Seville host some of the most stunning events, with flamboyant parades and intricate religious displays showcasing biblical scenes.

These parades showcase statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary being carried through the streets on elaborate floats, or "pasos," accompanied by hooded penitents, or "nazarenos," dressed in traditional robes. Aside from the religious elements, Semana Santa also includes a variety of cultural traditions and customs specific to each area of Spain. Keep an eye out for unique Easter treats like "torrijas" (like French toast) or "monas de Pascua" (Easter cakes) to indulge in.

What to expect? Take in the sights, sounds, and vibe of Semana Santa by wandering through the streets of Spanish cities and towns during Holy Week. Take part in a procession as a spectator or attend special events like "Lunes Santo" in Seville, where locals gather to watch the pasos make their way through the city streets.

6. Buona Pasqua! - Italy

Italians love to celebrate Easter, also known as "Pasqua," with a mix of religious practices, lively traditions, and delicious food! During Holy Week, towns and cities in Italy hold lively parades and processions showcasing religious icons, statues, and colourful floats decorated with flowers and decorations.

Experience an unforgettable Easter Sunday in Florence with the Scoppio del Carro, a spectacular fireworks display! A large, ornately decorated antique waggon filled with fireworks is pulled into a piazza by oxen as the crowd cheer on. Get ready for an exhilarating moment and snap away when a dove-shaped rocket swoops in and sets the waggon on fire, creating a dazzling show of light and colour that ignites the celebration!

What to expect? Experience traditional music, dance, and performances that showcase the diversity of Italian culture. Join locals lining the streets to watch the processions pass by, soaking in the solemn atmosphere and seeing centuries-old traditions come to life, or make sure you indulge in some traditional flair such as roast lamb, savoury pies, and specialty breads like "colomba di Pasqua" (Easter dove cake), which are enjoyed alongside seasonal vegetables and desserts.

7. Day Out For Witches - Sweden and Finland

In a charming tradition reminiscent of Halloween, children in both Finland and Sweden transform into Easter witches (known as "påskkärring") and roam their neighbourhoods in search of chocolate delights. In exchange for sweet treats, kids don decorated headscarves, paint their faces, and wield bundles of adorned willow twigs, along with paintings and drawings. It's a delightful sight as they spread joy and collect goodies in their festive clothes!

What to expect? The cultural richness and festive spirit of Easter in the Nordic: Join Swedes by indulging in delicious Easter feasts by trying traditional dishes such as "pickled herring," "Jansson's temptation" (a potato and anchovy casserole), and "påskbord" (Easter buffet) filled with savoury and sweet treats. While in Finland, take advantage of the longer days and enjoy some spring exploration by visiting national parks, or you could just delight in handing out treats to the little witches who visit your door.

From charming egg hunts to vibrant parades and mouthwatering feasts, experience the magic of Easter in diverse cultures and destinations. Book your Easter adventure today and make memories that will last a lifetime!