Hop around the globe with these quirky Easter traditions

Easter is a global holiday, but not everyone contains their celebrations to fun egg hunts or colouring traditions.

At Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. According to the Christian faith, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday. While this is celebrated in many countries, other more fascinating, funny, and even downright strange Easter traditions that reflect local cultures have developed.

Easter 2025: One date around the world

Normally, Western and Eastern Christian churches celebrate Easter on different days due to the Gregorian and Julian calendars. But in 2025, Easter Sunday will fall on the same date for both traditions, which is a very rare and special occasion. Let's explore how different countries celebrate this:

Easter witches (Påskkärringar) in Sweden and Finland

In Sweden, Easter looks a lot like Halloween, as the children dress up as witches with painted faces, old clothes, and colourful shawls.

During the 17th century, the fear of witches caused a brutal persecution of many innocent women. The last woman was wrongfully sentenced in 1704.

In the modern era, dressed-up children go from door to door, giving greetings and often receiving treats in return. The spooky twist adds a playful and magical feel to the holiday, and the houses are often decorated with bright feathers and twigs.

Śmigus-Dyngus water fights in Poland

In Poland, Easter Monday is called Śmigus-Dyngus, a playful tradition with deep roots in Polish culture. This unique holiday, also known as “Wet Monday,” gets its name from the water fights that take place in the streets and playful splashing.

As Christianity spread through Poland, many pagan traditions were changed to fit the new religious framework. Śmigus-Dyngus became intertwined with Easter celebrations, symbolising the joy of Christ’s resurrection.

What’s really interesting is that the origins and historical significance of this celebration go far beyond just fun. It also involves various customs that highlight social interaction and community bonding. As time went on, the tradition of Śmigus-Dyngus evolved, adapting to modern sensibilities while still retaining its essence.

Today, the holiday is celebrated not only in Poland but also among Polish communities around the world. Read on for more unique cultural practice facts you probably weren't familiar with:

Australian Easter Bilby

Bilbies are native Australian marsupials that are endangered. They’re adorable creatures with long, pointy ears and noses that snuffle the dirt. They’re also known as rabbit bandicoots and are found predominantly in the desert.

The Easter Bilby concept has existed for many years. In March 1968, the 9-year-old Rose-Marie Dusting wrote a story called "Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby." It was later published in 1997.

The story drew attention to this endangered animal, and soon, businesses and conservation groups were formed to try and save its numbers before it died out for good. Now, the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia and the Save the Bilby Fund promote public awareness of the Easter Bilby as the alternative to the Easter Bunny.

Italian Scoppio del Carro

Italy takes Easter to explosive heights with the 17th-century cart, also known as Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). On the morning of Easter Sunday, the cart is filled with fireworks lit in front of the cathedral by a mechanical dove symbolising the Holy Spirit.

If the cart explodes properly, it is believed that it will bring a good harvest, and the whole city gathers for this fiery, fascinating display of faith.
Scoppio del Carro has its origins in the First Crusade, when the Europeans laid siege to the city of Jerusalem in a conflict to claim Palestine for Christianity. It became standard practice for a “holy fire” to be struck from the flints at Eastertide, which was then carried throughout the city by young men.

Giant omelette in Haux, France

Easter Monday in the town of Haux, France, means one thing: a giant omelette! This is an omelette like no other, with over 5,000 eggs in a massive pan, ready to be served to everyone in the town square.

The festival marked its 50th anniversary in 2023, and this half-century celebration inspired six other giant omelette festivals around the world... because nothing says Easter like eggs!

It is not only the giant omelette that sets France apart during Easter. They also use chocolate church bells instead of the Easter Bunny to announce the arrival of the religious holiday. This relates to the tradition of church bells remaining silent until Easter Sunday.

Something for everyone in Germany

Germany's traditions are similar to those found in other predominantly Christian countries. Germans celebrate Easter with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, especially in families with small children.

Easter fountains, pagan fires, burning wheels and egg hunts are among the most popular ways to celebrate, and the week leading up to Easter is known as Holy Week or Karwoche in German.

Being in Germany during Easter is the perfect combination of religious observance and festive gatherings.

Mexican Semana Santa

The Holy Week in Mexico begins on Palm Sunday and lasts until Easter Sunday.

On Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday), the focus is on the Last Supper and the arrest of Jesus. Some Catholics visit and pray at seven different churches, symbolising the seven places Jesus visited from the time of the arrest to the crucifixion.

On Good Friday, many towns hold another procession, with statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary as the focus point. This day also features reenactments of Jesus’s final days.

Sábado de Gloria, or Holy Saturday, is when people mourn Christ's death, and the statues of the Virgin Mary are dressed in black. In other places, Sábado de Gloria is a quiet and reflective day with fewer public events.

Don’t forget the fun of Easter slots

Easter isn’t just about age-old customs—there’s also plenty of modern fun, too! Online casino players can enjoy Easter-themed slots featuring bright, springtime graphics, hopping bunnies, and egg-cellent bonus features.

Here at CasinoWow, we have thousands of online slots you can play for free, including a range of Easter games. Browse through our collection with titles from the best software providers to get in the holiday spirit.