10 Crazy Easter Traditions From Around the World You May Not Know

10 Crazy Easter Traditions From Around The World

1. A Wet Easter – Hungary

Easter celebrations in Hungary include a traditional custom known as watering. On Easter Monday, young men traditionally visit women and sprinkle or pour water over them.

The custom has historical roots and is connected with ideas of renewal, fertility, and spring. In some places, people use perfume instead of water today.

Women may dress in traditional clothing and offer the visitors painted eggs, sweets, or other treats in return.

2. A Smoky Easter – Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has an unusual Easter tradition connected with tobacco. In some communities, tobacco and hand-rolled cigarettes have historically been brought to churches around Easter.

The tobacco may be displayed or hung outside the church and later distributed among adults following Easter services.

It is a very different tradition from the chocolate eggs and sweets commonly associated with Easter in many other countries.

3. Easter Passion Traditions – Philippines

Easter and Holy Week are deeply important religious occasions in the Philippines. Some devotees take part in intense acts of religious devotion as a way of expressing their faith and reflecting on the suffering of Jesus Christ.

In some communities, individuals have historically participated in self-flagellation and other forms of penance. These practices are controversial and are not encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church, which promotes safer forms of religious observance.

For many Filipinos, Easter remains a time for prayer, reflection, family gatherings, and religious ceremonies.

4. A Red Easter – Greece

Forget colourful chocolate eggs—Greek Easter is famous for bright red eggs.

In Greece, eggs are traditionally dyed red during Easter. The colour is associated with life and is often connected to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Families may prepare the eggs together and use them in a traditional Easter game called tsougrisma, where people gently tap their eggs against one another. The person whose egg remains unbroken is considered lucky.

The bright red eggs are one of the most recognisable symbols of Greek Easter celebrations.

5. A Thrilling Easter – Norway

Norway has a rather unusual Easter tradition: crime stories and mysteries.

During the Easter holiday, many Norwegians enjoy reading crime novels and watching detective programmes. This tradition is known as påskekrim, or Easter crime.

Many people spend the holiday in mountain cabins, where they relax with books, television shows, and classic murder mysteries. Even milk cartons in Norway have sometimes featured short crime stories during Easter.

For crime lovers, Easter in Norway can feel like the perfect mystery holiday.

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6. The Great Easter Bunny Hunt – New Zealand

New Zealand has put a very different spin on the idea of an Easter bunny hunt.

Instead of searching for chocolate rabbits, the Great Easter Bunny Hunt has been associated with efforts to control introduced rabbits that can cause problems for farmland and the environment.

The event has attracted hunters competing for prizes while highlighting the challenges caused by rabbit populations.

So, unlike many Easter celebrations, the rabbit is not always the one being welcomed in New Zealand!

7. The Easter Lamb – Russia

Russian Easter traditions include a special lamb-shaped food decoration that is very different from a typical roasted Easter lamb.

A traditional butter lamb, known as baranek in some Eastern European traditions, may be shaped from butter and placed on the Easter table.

The lamb has strong Christian symbolism and represents Jesus Christ. It can become a beautiful centrepiece for the family's Easter meal.

8. The Easter Bilby – Australia

Australia has created its own alternative to the traditional Easter bunny.

The bilby, a small Australian marsupial, has become an Easter symbol because of conservation efforts to raise awareness about the species and its declining population.

During Easter, some Australian businesses and confectioners produce chocolate bilbies instead of—or alongside—traditional chocolate rabbits. Part of the proceeds may support wildlife conservation.

This tradition gives Easter celebrations an important environmental message while helping people learn more about Australia's unique wildlife.

9. The Giant Easter Omelette – France

One of France's most unusual Easter traditions involves a huge omelette.

In the town of Bessières, a large community omelette is traditionally prepared around Easter. Local residents gather together, crack large quantities of eggs, and cook them in an enormous pan.

The event brings the local community together for food, conversation, and celebration. It is a great example of how Easter traditions can turn a simple family meal into a large community event.

10. Easter Witches – Finland

Easter in Finland can look a little like Halloween.

Children, especially young girls, may dress up as witches and go from house to house carrying decorated branches. They may offer blessings and receive chocolate, sweets, or other treats in return.

The tradition is connected to old European beliefs about witches and springtime. Today, it is mostly a fun activity for children and families.

The colourful costumes, decorated branches, and treats make this one of Finland's most distinctive Easter traditions.

Discover Easter Around the World

Easter may have a shared religious meaning for millions of people, but the way it is celebrated varies greatly across cultures.

From red eggs in Greece and crime mysteries in Norway to giant omelettes in France and Easter bilbies in Australia, these traditions show how local history and culture can shape celebrations.

If you're travelling during the Easter season, take some time to discover the local customs. You may find that the most memorable part of your trip is experiencing a celebration that is completely different from what you're used to at home.