Easter Like You’ve Never Seen It: 10 Unusual Easter Traditions Around the World
- Natalija Ugrina
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
When you think of Easter, you probably imagine pastel eggs, chocolate bunnies, maybe a cozy brunch with family, or a church service followed by an egg hunt. But travel a little, and you’ll realize Easter around the world can look very, very different.
During my adventures and cultural deep dives, I’ve discovered some of the most unexpected, colorful, and downright quirky ways Easter is celebrated across the globe. From mystery novels in Norway to giant omelets in France, every tradition tells its own unique story.
So if you’re ready to shake off the Easter clichés and discover something new, here are 10 of the most unusual Easter traditions around the world—and yes, they’re all completely real.
1. Crime Novels on the Beach – Norway’s “Påskekrim”
In Norway, Easter is prime time for murder mysteries. Known as påskekrim, or "Easter crime," this tradition sees bookstores filled with detective novels and thrillers released just for the holiday. Even milk cartons get in on the action with mini-mysteries printed on the sides.
The tradition started in 1923 with a clever publicity stunt that tricked people into thinking a fictional crime was real—and it stuck! Today, it’s common to see Norwegians tucked away in cabins, sipping cocoa and reading the latest whodunit.
2. Water Fights and Willow Whips – Central & Eastern Europe
If you’re in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, or Hungary on Easter Monday, prepare to get a little wet. Boys splash girls with water or gently tap them with willow branches in a tradition meant to bring health, fertility, and good luck.
It’s called Śmigus-Dyngus in Poland and pomlázka in the Czech Republic. While it may sound intense, it’s usually all in good fun—with modern versions involving squirt guns, silly poems, and lots of laughter.
In Hungary, the boys even recite poems before sprinkling water—and are often rewarded with chocolates, painted eggs, or a cheeky shot of homemade pálinka (fruit brandy).
3. Easter Witches – Sweden and Finland
In a charming mix of old folklore and spring celebration, children in Sweden and Finland dress as witches for Easter. With scarves tied under their chins, painted cheeks, and broomsticks in hand, they go door to door exchanging homemade drawings for candy.
The tradition comes from beliefs that witches flew to meet the devil during Holy Week. Today, it’s a sweet and festive family tradition—kind of like a springtime Halloween!
4. Extreme Devotion – The Philippines
Holy Week in the Philippines is deeply spiritual—and sometimes physically intense. In cities like San Fernando, you’ll find volunteers reenacting the Passion of Christ through live performances that include self-flagellation and even real crucifixions.
These acts of penance, though not endorsed by the Church, are seen by participants as deeply personal sacrifices. For many, it’s the ultimate expression of devotion.
Even if you’re not witnessing the reenactments firsthand, the entire country takes on a sacred and solemn tone during Easter, with candlelit processions, street plays, and family gatherings focused on faith.
5. The Dance of Death – Verges, Spain
In the Catalonian town of Verges, Maundy Thursday comes alive with a medieval ritual known as La Dansa de la Mort—The Dance of Death. At midnight, townspeople dressed as skeletons parade through the streets carrying scythes and hourglasses, reminding onlookers of life’s fragility.
It’s eerie, emotional, and unforgettable. This symbolic procession has been happening for centuries and is one of the last traditional “death dances” still performed in Europe.
6. Flying Kites for Christ – Bermuda
Every Good Friday, the skies over Bermuda fill with vibrant handmade kites. Locals craft intricate hexagonal kites using wooden frames and tissue paper, and then gather on the beach for a joyous, colorful celebration.
The tradition is said to have begun when a teacher used a kite to explain Christ’s ascension to heaven. Today, it’s a highlight of Bermuda’s Easter season, complete with music, fried fish cakes, and hot cross buns.
Even if you’ve only seen it through photos, it’s hard not to be enchanted by the beauty of it all.
7. Egg Pocking Battles – Louisiana, USA
In Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, Easter Sunday kicks off with a local favorite: egg pocking. Each person selects a hard-boiled egg, then knocks it against someone else’s. The goal is to crack the other person’s egg without breaking your own.
The winner? Whoever’s egg stays intact the longest. It might sound simple, but this Cajun tradition is taken very seriously—some families even have “training eggs.”
8. The Giant Omelet – Haux, France
In the small town of Haux, Easter Monday means one thing: a 15,000-egg omelet cooked in the main square. Legend has it that Napoleon once stopped here and loved the local omelet so much he ordered one large enough for his whole army. True or not, the tradition lives on.
Volunteers crack thousands of eggs, stir them up in a giant pan, and serve them to over 1,000 people. If you’ve ever believed brunch should be a full-blown event—this is your moment.
9. Burning Judas – Latin America & Spain
In parts of Mexico, Venezuela, and Spain, Easter Sunday ends with a bang—literally. Effigies of Judas Iscariot (often with modern political or celebrity faces added for flair) are burned and blown up with fireworks in a symbolic rejection of evil.
It’s a cathartic and theatrical tradition rooted in colonial Catholicism, and today it’s often part religious ritual, part community spectacle.
10. The White House Egg Roll – USA
Back in the U.S., one of the longest-running Easter traditions happens on the White House lawn. Every Easter Monday since 1878, children have gathered to roll brightly colored eggs across the grass using wooden spoons.
Originally started by President Rutherford B. Hayes, the event has grown to include storytelling, music, and visits from the First Family. It’s a wholesome piece of American history still going strong today.
Final Thoughts on Unusual Easter Traditions Around the World
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from exploring holiday traditions around the world, it’s that culture never ceases to surprise. While Easter may be rooted in a shared story of resurrection and renewal, how we celebrate it is beautifully diverse—and sometimes totally unexpected.
From egg duels in Louisiana to dancing skeletons in Spain, these customs show us that tradition isn’t about doing things the “right” way—it’s about meaning, memory, and connection.
If you loved discovering these unusual Easter traditions around the world, you’ll definitely want to check out my post on the world’s weirdest New Year’s Eve celebrations—from flaming barrels to underwater prayers.
Or dive into how Valentine’s Day actually started—including ancient rituals, medieval matchmaking, and the world’s most romantic destinations.
✨ Wishing you a Happy Easter—wherever and however you celebrate it!May it be full of joy, color, and maybe even a new tradition or two.
