137
7 minutes readContents
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Greece
- South Africa
- Spain
- United States of America
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Australia
Which Religions Celebrate Easter
Easter is the main holiday celebrated within the Christian Church, marking the resurrection of Jesus on the third day following his crucifixion. Celebrated since the 2nd century, Easter comes at the end of Lent, a 40-day period where Christians reflect and prepare for Holy Week.
Celebrated by all denominations of the Christian Church, Easter is typically celebrated later by Orthodox Christians than those in the Western world, such as Catholics. This Easter Sunday falls on 20th April 2025.
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Easter Traditions Around the World
Are you looking for ideas for a spring getaway? Easter is a time when many countries celebrate with a bank holiday and school closures, giving you the perfect time to plan a vacation. We’re sharing how easter is celebrated in 9 regions around the world with recommendations for top-rated hotels in each destination.
United Kingdom
- Splurge-worthy: Shangri-La The Shard, London
- Best for families: Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
- Budget-friendly: The Crown London
If you’ve ever visited the UK in the run-up to Easter, you’ll be familiar with the Easter eggs and Cadbury mini eggs that fill the supermarket shelves. Hot cross buns are another common tradition, a sweet bun infused with dried fruit and spices, giving you a taste of spring.
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Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays in the UK with most families planning weekend getaways or hosting an Easter dinner, usually serving lamb.
Ireland
- Splurge-worthy: The Merrion Hotel
- Best for families: The Grafton Hotel
- Budget-friendly: Hotel 7 Dublin
Ireland remains one of the most Christian countries in the world. Many traditions celebrated today are similar to the UK, but there’s a great emphasis on attending mass. Children will often receive Easter eggs, while adults who are practicing Christians will try to attend mass every day during Holy Week.
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Common Easter traditions still practiced in Ireland include the symbolic washing of feet during Holy Thursday mass, where a Priest mimics the actions of Jesus with his followers when he washed their feet during Passover.
Greece
- Splurge-worthy: Gatsby Athens
- Best for families: Moxy Athens City
- Budget-friendly: Trendy Hotel by Athens Prime Hotels
The Orthodox Church is the main Christian church in Greece. Decorating eggs is also a tradition in Greece, however, children exclusively paint them red. It is symbolic of Jesus’ rebirth through the resurrection and the color of blood.
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One of the most unique traditions is the custom of “pot throwing” on Holy Saturday, still common in Corfu. Believed to come from the Venetians, residents will throw pots and pans, usually filled with water, out of their windows and into the streets below to welcome spring.
South Africa
- Splurge-worthy: One&Only Cape Town
- Best for families: Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Mowbray
- Budget-friendly: 91 Loop – Hostel
Easter traditions and practices are always evolving. For example, South Africa followed the lead of the UK in making Easter Monday a recognized holiday in 1990.
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It’s also considered a bank holiday with most public and private workers getting an extra day off work to celebrate the occasion. Most communities will host an Easter egg hunt with fish usually served on Good Friday.
Spain
- Splurge-worthy: Palacio de los Duques Gran Melia
- Best for families: Eurostars Suites Mirasierra
- Budget-friendly: Hotel ILUNION Atrium
Easter is one of the most popular festivities in Spain, known locally as “Semana Santa”. Many of the country’s cities and major towns host festivals and processions during the days leading up to Easter Sunday, often carrying significant religious statues through the streets to churches and cathedrals.
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Torrijas are typically eaten on Good Friday with communities gathering on Easter Sunday to celebrate with music and traditional costumes.
United States of America
- Splurge-worthy: The Hotel Chelsea
- Best for families: Ace Hotel New York
- Budget-friendly: Wyndham Garden Brooklyn Sunset Park
In the United States, Easter is all about community. One of the most iconic events is the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, while egg hunts are often hosted by communities and local neighborhood groups for kids. “Easter baskets” have become a common tradition with kids receiving chocolates, bunny-themed candies, and gifts to market the religious event.
The Easter Bunny is largely seen as an American tradition, even if it’s now widely recognized throughout the Western world. Parades also play a major role in Easter celebrations in the USA with New York hosting an annual parade with street performers and a focus on elaborate costumes. Now seen as a largely non-denominational celebration, this paradise dates to the late 19th century and focuses just as much on your furry four-legged friends with dog shows and whimsical costumes.
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It’s common to buy a new outfit to celebrate Easter, wearing it to Sunday mass to symbolize renewal and a new season. Traditionally, some people still choose to wear a bonnet on Easter.
Saudi Arabia
- Splurge-worthy: The St. Regis Riyadh
- Best for families: Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana
- Budget-friendly: Intercity Hotel Riyadh Malaz
Easter is not treated as a public holiday in Saudi Arabia, a largely Muslim region. However, the growing diversity in the region is leading to many choosing to adopt traditions and customs from other communities.
Photo: Food Shop / Shutterstock.com
Many choose to mark the occasion with prayer or by hosting a meal for members of their community, typically serving lamb, rice, and dates
United Arab Emirates
- Splurge-worthy: Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa
- Best for families: Rove Dubai Marina Hotel
- Budget-friendly: Hyatt Regency Dubai
Although another region that is not commonly associated with Easter, the UAE is adopting traditions of its own.
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Many groups and communities choose to donate dates to those in need. Due to the growing diversity in the region, it’s not uncommon to find Easter eggs on the shelves in grocery stores and for foreign citizens to celebrate with their own traditional dishes and customs.
Australia
- Splurge-worthy: Wildlife Retreat at Taronga
- Best for families: 57 Hotel
- Budget-friendly: Quest Liverpool
In Australia, Good Friday and Easter Monday are both considered public holidays. While it shares many traditions with the UK – including hot cross buns and egg hunts – Australia is unique as Easter comes at the dawn of winter, rather than spring in the Southern hemisphere.
Photo: Milleflore Images / Shutterstock.com
Instead of selling chocolate bunnies, you’ll find chocolate bilbies in stores with most brands donating part of their sales to wildlife conservation.
Book Your Easter Getaway with ZenHotels
Most countries celebrate Easter with at least one public holiday, making it the perfect time to plan a last-minute getaway or group vacation.
At ZenHotels, our extensive selection of accommodation options makes it easy to plan a spring vacation to suit every budget and travel itinerary.
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Get access to the best rates on hotels and accommodation in over 220 countries on our website or download the ZenHotels mobile app to access exclusive rates.
