Easter is a time for family and celebration, observed around the world with different traditions and customs. You probably have ones of your own that you have picked up or started with your families over the years. The ways in which Easter is marked are as diverse as the cultures themselves, and there is something truly special about that. Some families celebrate with low-key religious ceremonies, while others throw themselves into vibrant community festivities; diversity is certainly something to be embraced. In this blog, we will explore the origins of Easter and some unique global traditions.
Easter sets the foundations for the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (as described in the New Testament), which is believed to have occurred three days after his crucifixion by the Romans around 30 AD. The resurrection signifies hope, renewal, and the victory of life over death. The date of Easter varies each year, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox; this means Easter can occur anywhere between 22nd March and 25th April. The varying date is a result of the combination of solar and lunar calendars used to determine its timing…apparently! It can be pretty complicated, so we won’t dig too deep; we would only get confused ourselves!
Global Easter Traditions
While the religious significance of Easter remains key for many, the customs and traditions associated with it vary widely across different cultures, and even those who aren’t religious often celebrate in ways that bring joy and happiness. Some traditions are incredibly unique, and we are definitely considering adopting one or two new ones for ourselves. But which one of these grabs your attention:
United States: The White House hosts an annual Easter Egg Roll on its lawn, a tradition dating back to 1878. Children roll decorated hard-boiled eggs across the grass in a race, symbolising the rolling away of the stone from Jesus' tomb. There may not be chocolate involved, but it is a lot of fun, nonetheless.
Australia: Instead of the Easter Bunny, Australians celebrate with the Easter Bilby. Nope, that is not a typo; it’s an actual thing. This native marsupial is used to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and, in particular, the protection of this endangered species. Those with a sweet tooth don’t miss out though; chocolate bilbies are popular treats instead of the more well-known tradition of chocolate bunnies.
Norway: Known as ‘Påskekrim’, Norwegians indulge in reading crime novels and watching crime series during Easter. Publishers even release special ‘Easter Thrillers’ to cater to this unique way of celebrating. This seems to be a somewhat ‘darker’ tradition than the others, but if we were all the same, life would be very dull!
Bermuda: Locals fly homemade kites, symbolising Christ's ascent to heaven. The skies are filled with colourful, geometric kites made from sticks, tissue paper, and string. What we love about this one is the opportunity to spend time with the family, get outdoors and forget gadgets for a few hours. In fact, this might be the tradition that we steal for ourselves…
Easter Closer to Home…
Now that we have looked at Easter traditions from around the globe, it is time to look closer to home. Cambridge, with its vibrant community, offers tons of activities and events during the Easter holidays, and there is something for every taste, every budget, and every chocolate addiction. As you know, we are based in Cambridge, so we are extremely biased; however, we don’t believe there is anywhere better to enjoy Easter than here. Where do we even start with the calendar of events? Here are our top three picks:
Easter Egg Trail at Anglesey Abbey:
From 5th April – 21st April 2025, children can embark on an Easter Egg trail set in the beautiful gardens of Anglesey Abbey. For a small fee, participants receive a trail map, bunny ears, and a chocolate egg at the end. It's a delightful way for families to explore the grounds and enjoy the springtime blooms.
If you decide to make a day of it, you can also check out the 'Shaun the Sheep at Anglesey Abbey' exhibition, which will take place right through to the end of April. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find all 12 super-sized Shaun the Sheep sculptures standing tall around the gardens. National and international artists have painted each one in bright and funky patterns. This event is definitely not one to be missed, especially for those with younger children.
Easter Basket Workshop at Wandlebury Country Park:
For anyone interested in crafts, the Cambridge Past, Present, and Future organisation is hosting a 3-hour 'Introduction to Basketry' experience at Wandlebury Country Park. If you are looking for something that adults and older children can enjoy together, this is perfect.
Participants can create a small round basket using a variety of willow and traditional techniques. As described on their website: ‘this hands-on workshop is perfect for anyone looking to learn a new skill and create something functional and beautiful’. Don’t worry if you have never done something like this before because it doesn’t matter - everyone is welcome! Our team did wreath-making at Christmas, so maybe basket weaving will be next on the list.
Easter Garden Crafts at the Botanic Garden:
On 4th April 2025, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is hosting a drop-in activity where attendees can try their hand at decoupaging and making colourful springtime Easter decorations to take home. This event is suitable for all ages and is a wonderful way to connect with nature and unleash your creativity. Alternatively, the kids can get messy while the adults enjoy a coffee and a catchup. And do you want to know the best part? It is totally FREE and available for everyone to enjoy.
For another FREE drop-in craft activity in Cambridge, visit the Museum of Cambridge to make your own quirky Easter hat. Learn why Easter bonnets became popular in Victorian England and how strange some of them were. Fun and learning all rolled into one…win-win.
Easter, beyond its religious significance, serves as a reminder of the beauty of all shared traditions, however weird and wonderful. So, whether you are painting eggs over the Easter weekend or finding yourself a sunny beer garden to enjoy a Pimms, make sure you step away from work and spend time with loved ones, even just for an afternoon. Oh, and most importantly, ensure you indulge in ridiculous amounts of chocolate. It’s the law.
Easter sets the foundations for the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (as described in the New Testament), which is believed to have occurred three days after his crucifixion by the Romans around 30 AD. The resurrection signifies hope, renewal, and the victory of life over death. The date of Easter varies each year, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox; this means Easter can occur anywhere between 22nd March and 25th April. The varying date is a result of the combination of solar and lunar calendars used to determine its timing…apparently! It can be pretty complicated, so we won’t dig too deep; we would only get confused ourselves!
Global Easter Traditions
While the religious significance of Easter remains key for many, the customs and traditions associated with it vary widely across different cultures, and even those who aren’t religious often celebrate in ways that bring joy and happiness. Some traditions are incredibly unique, and we are definitely considering adopting one or two new ones for ourselves. But which one of these grabs your attention:
United States: The White House hosts an annual Easter Egg Roll on its lawn, a tradition dating back to 1878. Children roll decorated hard-boiled eggs across the grass in a race, symbolising the rolling away of the stone from Jesus' tomb. There may not be chocolate involved, but it is a lot of fun, nonetheless.
Australia: Instead of the Easter Bunny, Australians celebrate with the Easter Bilby. Nope, that is not a typo; it’s an actual thing. This native marsupial is used to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and, in particular, the protection of this endangered species. Those with a sweet tooth don’t miss out though; chocolate bilbies are popular treats instead of the more well-known tradition of chocolate bunnies.
Norway: Known as ‘Påskekrim’, Norwegians indulge in reading crime novels and watching crime series during Easter. Publishers even release special ‘Easter Thrillers’ to cater to this unique way of celebrating. This seems to be a somewhat ‘darker’ tradition than the others, but if we were all the same, life would be very dull!
Bermuda: Locals fly homemade kites, symbolising Christ's ascent to heaven. The skies are filled with colourful, geometric kites made from sticks, tissue paper, and string. What we love about this one is the opportunity to spend time with the family, get outdoors and forget gadgets for a few hours. In fact, this might be the tradition that we steal for ourselves…
Easter Closer to Home…
Now that we have looked at Easter traditions from around the globe, it is time to look closer to home. Cambridge, with its vibrant community, offers tons of activities and events during the Easter holidays, and there is something for every taste, every budget, and every chocolate addiction. As you know, we are based in Cambridge, so we are extremely biased; however, we don’t believe there is anywhere better to enjoy Easter than here. Where do we even start with the calendar of events? Here are our top three picks:
Easter Egg Trail at Anglesey Abbey:
From 5th April – 21st April 2025, children can embark on an Easter Egg trail set in the beautiful gardens of Anglesey Abbey. For a small fee, participants receive a trail map, bunny ears, and a chocolate egg at the end. It's a delightful way for families to explore the grounds and enjoy the springtime blooms.
If you decide to make a day of it, you can also check out the 'Shaun the Sheep at Anglesey Abbey' exhibition, which will take place right through to the end of April. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find all 12 super-sized Shaun the Sheep sculptures standing tall around the gardens. National and international artists have painted each one in bright and funky patterns. This event is definitely not one to be missed, especially for those with younger children.
Easter Basket Workshop at Wandlebury Country Park:
For anyone interested in crafts, the Cambridge Past, Present, and Future organisation is hosting a 3-hour 'Introduction to Basketry' experience at Wandlebury Country Park. If you are looking for something that adults and older children can enjoy together, this is perfect.
Participants can create a small round basket using a variety of willow and traditional techniques. As described on their website: ‘this hands-on workshop is perfect for anyone looking to learn a new skill and create something functional and beautiful’. Don’t worry if you have never done something like this before because it doesn’t matter - everyone is welcome! Our team did wreath-making at Christmas, so maybe basket weaving will be next on the list.
Easter Garden Crafts at the Botanic Garden:
On 4th April 2025, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is hosting a drop-in activity where attendees can try their hand at decoupaging and making colourful springtime Easter decorations to take home. This event is suitable for all ages and is a wonderful way to connect with nature and unleash your creativity. Alternatively, the kids can get messy while the adults enjoy a coffee and a catchup. And do you want to know the best part? It is totally FREE and available for everyone to enjoy.
For another FREE drop-in craft activity in Cambridge, visit the Museum of Cambridge to make your own quirky Easter hat. Learn why Easter bonnets became popular in Victorian England and how strange some of them were. Fun and learning all rolled into one…win-win.
Easter, beyond its religious significance, serves as a reminder of the beauty of all shared traditions, however weird and wonderful. So, whether you are painting eggs over the Easter weekend or finding yourself a sunny beer garden to enjoy a Pimms, make sure you step away from work and spend time with loved ones, even just for an afternoon. Oh, and most importantly, ensure you indulge in ridiculous amounts of chocolate. It’s the law.