Easter Traditions in Europe blog post was first published on 2 April 2021, and updated on 3 April 2026
Easter traditions in Europe are as diverse as the countries on the Old Continent themselves. From the classic egg hunts in England and the ornate Easter trees (Osterbaum) of Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, to the intricately coloured eggs of Central and Eastern Europe and the solemn religious processions of Spain and Italy, these customs represent a magnificent treasury of European culture.
Easter Traditions in Europe
There are so many unique Easter traditions across Europe that it is impossible to document them all. Often, it isn’t just a country, but every specific region, town, or village that celebrates with its own distinct customs.
⤷ Read more: The History Behind Fabergé Eggs
The History of Easter Celebrations in Europe
Easter is the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the 4th century, it was decided that Easter would be celebrated annually on the first Sunday following the full moon after the Spring Equinox. Consequently, the date varies each year, falling anywhere between March 25th and April 25th.
Like many Christian holidays, Easter has deep roots in antiquity. Long before the Christian era, people celebrated the arrival of spring by worshipping Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. The very name “Easter” reflects this pre-Christian connection.
Most modern symbols of the holiday, like chicken, bunnies, and eggs, are ancient emblems of new life and fertility that were later adopted to symbolise the Resurrection. While decorating eggs dates back to prehistoric times (when ostrich eggs were often used), the tradition of painting chicken and goose eggs became prominent in the Middle Ages. The oldest known decorated Easter eggs, dating back to the 15th century, were discovered in Croatia and Ukraine.
⤷ TIP: Ukraine is home to the Easter Eggs Museum – it’s located in the town of Kolomyia.
How Easter is Celebrated Across Europe
The majority of today’s Easter traditions in Europe are from a newer date. The chocolate eggs and bunnies, or egg hunts, are mainly originating from the 19th century.
It’s impossible to include all the curious Easter traditions in Europe in a single article. So, here is my selection of the most interesting ones.
Easter Traditions in Germany: Fires and Festivities
In Germany, Easter begins with festive church services adorned with spring flowers. The heart of the celebration is the Easter breakfast, where families gather to exchange gifts and enjoy seasonal delicacies. This often includes sweet bread decorated with frosting, cookies shaped like lambs or chicken, and butter moulded into the form of a lamb.
In Northern Germany, a popular tradition is lighting massive Easter bonfires on Saturday evening (before Easter) to drive away the last spirits of winter.
⤷ Read more: What to see in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Easter Traditions in France: The Legend of the Flying Bells
One of France’s most enchanting traditions involves the Cloches de Pâques (Easter Bells). On Maundy Thursday, all church bells fall silent for three days. Legend tells that they fly to Rome to be blessed by the Pope.
On their return journey for Easter Sunday, they drop chocolate eggs into gardens for children to find. This charming myth is why egg hunts remain such an important part of French Easter celebrations.
⤷ Read more: Beautiful small towns you should visit in France
Easter traditions in Austria: Markets and Sacred Fire
Famous for its Christmas markets, it comes with no surprise one of the most popular Easter traditions in Austria are Easter markets. They open a couple of weeks before that holiday. Here, you can find hand-painted eggs for the Osterbaum (Easter Tree).
The Easter tree has a similar origin as the Christmas tree. At the beginning of that tradition celebrated not only in Austria, but also in Germany and the Netherlands, the whole tree was filled with eggs, ribbons and other decoration. Nowadays, a bunch of willow branches serve as a tree, and it’s mainly ornamented with eggs.
A unique and ancient custom in Austria is the “Carrying of the Sacred Fire.” On Holy Saturday, a large fire is blessed in front of local churches; parishioners then carry a piece of the smouldering wood home in tin containers to illuminate their homes with a sacred glow for the coming year.
⤷ Read more: In Search of Art Within the Mountain Paradise of Vorarlberg
Easter Traditions in Croatia: Easter Breakfast
Many Easter customs in Croatia are similar to those in Central and Eastern Europe. Special ceremonies are organised in churches from Thursday to Easter Sunday. On Easter morning, people bring their food to be blessed in churches.
After that, the main event is taking place in private homes: Easter breakfast. The meal consists of coloured eggs, spring onions, horseradish, special homemade bread, and ham.
Coloured eggs are a symbol of this holiday in Croatia. Each region has its own tradition of egg colouring. But the traditional way to do it is by using some natural ingredients as colours: onion shell or dark red wine.
⤷ Read more: What To Do and Visit in Croatia – Your Ultimate Croatia Travel Guide
Easter Traditions in England: Easter Games
The egg hunt is probably one of the most popular Easter traditions in England. According to the legend, the Easter bunny hides chocolate eggs around the people’s gardens.
Other games are organised in England during Easter time, as well. One of them is the egg and spoon race, in which the aim is to run a race while holding a hard-boiled egg on a spoon.
A special pastry that’s being prepared for this holiday is hot cross buns. Filled with raisins and currants, they are usually eaten with butter.
⤷ Read more: The Best Museums in London
Easter Traditions in Spain: Pageantry and Penitents
Some of the most unusual Easter traditions in Europe come from Spain. In Spain, particularly in Seville, Easter (Semana Santa) is marked by unrivalled religious pageantry. Brotherhoods (cofradías) carry massive, ornate floats (pasos) featuring statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus through the streets.
These processions are famous for the Nazarenos, penitents who wear tall, conical hoods. While these hoods are sometimes misunderstood by outsiders, they historically represent the anonymity of the penitent before God.
Special festive Easter treats are also prepared in Spain during that time. The most famous are torrijas and monas de pascua.
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Easter Traditions in Czech Republic: Egg Colouring
The main Easter tradition in the Czech Republic is egg colouring and it has a long tradition in that country.
First, Easter eggs were coloured in red and golden, but other colours were later introduced, too. One of the oldest ways of decorating them was by applying the wax, the technique is called batika.
Easter Traditions in Italy: Explosions and Extravagant Eggs
Similar as in Spain, Easter in Italy is marked by masses and numerous religious processions. Churches often have special statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary that are paraded around the city. People participating in those processions are carrying palm and olive branches and are dressed in traditional costumes.
It comes with no surprise food is an essential part of Easter celebrations in Italy. During the festive Easter dinner, a lamb or goat, artichokes and various kinds of bread are served. The most popular ones are pannetone and colomba, a dove-shaped bread.
A popular modern custom is gifting massive, hollow chocolate eggs that often contain a surprise gift (sometimes even jewellery) hidden inside! The biggest ever chocolate egg was made in Italy in 2011. It was 10,39 metres high, and it weighed 7200 kilos.
⤷ Read more: Spring in Art
Easter Traditions in The Netherlands: Paastakken and Passion
The Netherlands is home to numerous fascinating Easter traditions. From lighting the bonfires, egg hunt on Easter morning, to performing J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in many locations across the country.
However, a tradition that’s very popular both in Dutch homes and in public places, like stores, museums or public institutions, is decorating the Easter tree (Passtakken).
Easter tree is usually composed of willow or hazel branches. It’s great if they already have tiny buds or leafage on them. A perfect place for it is some prominent spot in a home, like the dining table or a nice cabinet.
Branches are decorated with different kinds of ornaments, like small Easter eggs painted in pastel colours, chocolate eggs, chicken, bunnies or butterflies figurines, colourful feather, glittering pearls, dolls representing little girls and boys dressed in colourful clothes, small mirrors, bells or tinny cookies. All of that could be even more decorated with multicolour stripes and bows.
The way passtakken is ornamented depends entirely on personal taste. But the thing that connects all of these decorations is that they symbolise new life and change.
⤷ Read more: Where To See Rembrandt’s Paintings in Amsterdam
There are countless other traditions to explore, from the egg rolling games of Lithuania to the figolla cakes of Malta. What are some of your favourite European Easter traditions? Share them with me in the comments!