Easter is a happy time that marks new beginnings and hope. People all around the world celebrate it in their own special way. Easter celebrations are not just chocolate bunnies and egg hunts but a basketful of amazing easter traditions around the world! Today, we'll explore how 11 different cultures celebrate Easter in their own special way. Get ready for some egg-citing and egg-straordinary traditions!

1. United Kingdom

In the UK, people celebrate Easter by attending church, spending time with family, and exchanging Easter eggs. Many families also enjoy Easter egg hunts, where they hide decorated eggs for children to find. Another popular tradition during Easter is making hot cross buns - sweet buns with spices and dried fruit marked with a cross. These buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday and are a delicious treat to share with friends and family during Easter celebrations.

2. Malta

In Malta, people celebrate Easter with lots of excitement and devotion. They have processions where they carry statues of Jesus and Mary through the streets while praying and listening to music. They also eat and exchange sweet almond-filled pastries called figolli that are shaped like fish, rabbits, and crosses. Locals attend church services and processions with great devotion and respect.

3. Ireland 

Like in many Christian countries, Easter celebrations in Ireland are very important. On Easter Sunday, people go to church and have a special breakfast with their families. They also eat a tasty cake called Simnel Cake, which is filled with fruit and covered in marzipan (a sweet paste made of almonds) and finished with a figure of Jesus on top. Kids participate in a fun egg rolling down a hill contest, and everyone enjoys decorating eggs with pretty designs. It's a mix of religious and fun traditions that make it different from other Easter traditions around the world.

4. Germany

In Germany, people celebrate Easter by decorating boiled eggs in different colours and patterns and hanging them on trees. This tradition is called Bunte Eier or Osterei. Eggs are a symbol of new beginnings and springtime. As a part of Easter celebrations, some parts of Germany light big fires, called Osterfeuer, to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. This tradition has been around for a long time. Families gather around the fire, sing songs, and roast marshmallows under the starry sky. It's a great way to welcome the spring season!

5. Spain

People in Spain celebrate Easter with a week-long event called Semana Santa. It's a lively celebration that attracts millions of visitors each year. During this time, people wear colourful outfits, play traditional music, and carry religious statues along the streets for the public to see. Many cities in Spain, like Seville and Malaga, host big processions throughout Holy Week. People also enjoy traditional food such as torrijas, which is the Spanish way of making French toast.

6. Italy

Easter is a very important holiday in Italy. It marks the start of warm weather, and people love to spend time outside. On Easter Sunday, people start their day with a breakfast of Colomba, which is a sweet bread shaped like a dove to symbolise peace and the Holy Spirit. Then, families get together for a traditional pasta lunch and attend special church services. In Italy, the Pope gives his Easter blessing live from the Vatican, and millions of people around the world watch it.

7. Canada

In Canada, Easter is a special time of year when people celebrate religious and non-religious traditions together. Families attend church services and then enjoy fun activities like Easter egg hunts and delicious meals. Some people like to make special Easter treats using Canadian maple syrup. People also enjoy decorating Easter eggs and making crafts. They love to try out holiday recipes like mustard-crusted lamb and Easter basket cake. In Montreal, thousands of partygoers attend the Bal en Blanc every Easter Sunday, making it the main event of the day.

8. United States of America

In the United States, Easter is celebrated with egg hunts, where children look for colourfully decorated eggs hidden in gardens or homes. Families exchange Easter baskets filled with treats like chocolate eggs and jelly beans. The Easter Bunny is also a central figure in the celebrations. The White House hosts an annual Easter Egg Roll, where kids roll eggs with spoons across the lawn. Many Americans even attend special church services on Easter Sunday. Easter celebrations in the United States are a sugary celebration of spring sweetness!

9. United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, Easter is a time for giving. Families donate dates as a symbol of hospitality to those who are in need. They also enjoy special Easter meals with traditional dishes. People from different countries come together to celebrate Easter with traditional foods and music. Churches hold special services, and Easter eggs can be found in many stores.

10. Saudi Arabia

While Easter is not a public holiday in Saudi Arabia, expatriate communities often gather to celebrate. Churches hold special services, and Easter meals include a mix of international dishes. It's a time for diverse communities to come together in the spirit of joy and unity. In Saudi Arabia, Easter isn't a national holiday, but Muslims often celebrate the time of Jesus' birth and sacrifice with special prayers and family gatherings. Families enjoy delicious feasts featuring traditional dishes like dates, lamb, and rice and exchange greetings of peace and goodwill.

11. Australia

In Australia, people celebrate Easter by taking a break from work on Good Friday and Easter Monday, which are national holidays. While other countries have the Easter Bunny as the main symbol of Easter, Australians use the Easter Bilby to spread awareness about endangered species. Chocolate bilbies are sold, and the sales proceeds are used for wildlife conservation. Kids enjoy Easter egg hunts, but instead of looking for bunnies, they look for chocolate bilbies to learn more about the endangered bilby species.

Today, we learned about 11 different Easter traditions around the world. People celebrate Easter in many different ways. Some decorate eggs and walk in parades, while others take part in ancient religious ceremonies. But no matter what, Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings, family, and hope. As English learners, exploring these customs can help you learn more about other cultures and improve your language skills. So, let's enjoy this Easter season and keep learning!