10 Fascinatingly Interesting Easter Celebrations Worldwide
When you travel a lot, ending up in an unknown land for certain holidays like Easter makes you begin to wonder, what do the locals do? Maybe, you are not traveling at all but need some inspiration for how to mix things up this year. Easter has some wild spins throughout the world, but all of them are worth experiencing. Let’s have a look at some of the most interesting Easter celebrations around the world:
1 Mexico
Some of the most fascinating holiday traditions come from Mexico – think Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, Day or the Dead, and Carnival. One thing that ties Mexican Easter celebrations together with all the rest would be their use of cascarones, or confetti-filled eggs. On Easter, people first attend church, watch some fireworks, and then throw cascarones at one another. This act is thought to shower loved ones with good luck.
2 Finland
On Easter morning, Finnish children do their egg hunting a little differently. They are dressed up as little witches with soot-covered faces, carrying broomsticks, teapots, and willow twigs then go begging in the streets. Children will also plant grass seeds in shallow dishes or place twigs in water to see if they can make them grow. In Western Finland, colossal bonfires are set alight at night, stemming from the ancient belief that smoke will ward off evil spirits.
3 France
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While all of France does some awesome stuff for Easter, the most interesting tradition comes from Haux, a southern town. On Easter Monday, the town comes together to make a gigantic omelette in the main square. Just how big is this omelette? It uses over 4500 eggs and feeds over 1000 people. Supposedly, the giant omelette trend began when Napoleon and his army stopped by the town and demanded to be fed. He liked the omelette so much, he asked for another and all his men the next day.
4 Spain
In Seville, Spain you will see one of the most haunting processions ever. Thousands of people line the streets to see marching bands and floats festooned in candles and Baroque statues. Following the floats depicting the story of Easter, a solemn march of the cloaked nazarenos dressed in habits with pointed hats came along.
In another location in Spain, Verges, the town does the “death dance” on Holy Thursday. Dressed up as skeletons carrying scythes or boxes of ashes, the townspeople begin dancing at midnight and do not stop until early morning.
Read also – 10 Fascinating Destinations for Adventurous Couples
5 Indonesia
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The practice of Christianity has gone on for quite some time in Indonesia. Nowadays, there are over 7 million Catholics on the island nation. On Easter, many young Indonesian men consider it an honor to be crucified on a cross (not literally) and are hung up around various parts of country, primarily in Flores and Bali. Portuguese missionaries will also pick up statues devoted to the Crucifixion and walk the streets.
6 Bulgaria
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Instead of hiding eggs in Bulgaria, you throw them at people. If you are lucky enough to come out of the battle with an unbroken egg, you are considered the most fortunate family member for the entire year.
Another tradition is for the eldest woman in the family to rubbed a dyed red egg on the cheeks of children as a symbolic wish for health and strength – often associated with rosy cheeks.
7 Greece
Easter in Greece features the spectacular “Rocket War” on Chios island, where rival church parishes fire thousands of homemade rockets at each other’s bell towers. The midnight Easter service culminates with people lighting candles from the priest’s Holy Flame and greeting each other with “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen).
Red-dyed eggs symbolize the blood of Christ, with families participating in egg-cracking contests where the last person with an unbroken egg is believed to have good luck.
8 Hungary
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The usual traditions of egg painting and eating are played out between Easter Sunday and Monday. Some of the painted eggs are so stylized that they receive attention from a special craftsman. However, Hungarians get a little wild with their festivities too.
Have you heard of “sprinkling?” This is where men mix water with some cologne and either splash or sprinkle girls with it then ask for a kiss. Usually, the men get a red egg in return, which is a symbol of fertility.
Read also – 12 Fun Easter Egg Hunts for the Whole Family
9 Philippines
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Easter in the Philippines is marked by extreme devotion, with some devotees voluntarily being nailed to crosses in re-enactments of Christ’s crucifixion, particularly in San Pedro Cutud. The Moriones Festival on Marinduque Island features locals dressed as Roman soldiers with elaborate masks, reenacting the story of Longinus.
The Salubong is a pre-dawn Easter Sunday procession dramatizing the meeting between the resurrected Jesus and his mother, Mary, often featuring a young girl dressed as an angel who removes the black veil of mourning from Mary’s statue. After the solemn Holy Week observances, Filipinos celebrate with family gatherings and feasts.
10 Sweden
Swedish Easter combines Christian traditions with folklore, featuring children dressed as Easter witches (påskkärringar) who go door-to-door exchanging drawings for treats. Homes are decorated with påskris – birch twigs adorned with colorful feathers and small decorations that symbolize spring’s arrival.
The celebration culminates with a traditional Easter buffet (påskbord) featuring pickled herring, salmon, eggs, and lamb dishes, often accompanied by snaps (aquavit) and festive songs.
Easter is so much more than plopping a scared child on the mall Bunny’s lap and having egg hunts. The holiday has blended with both ancient and modern customs to become a nearly worldwide celebration. Though Easter is no longer just a holiday of fertility but one associated with Christianity, some cultures have made it a ritual while others just have fun!
