The Weirdest and Most Wonderful Easter Traditions You’ve Never Heard Of
Easter: that magical time of year when chocolate reigns supreme, rabbits are inexplicably egg enthusiasts, and we all pretend calories don’t count for a day. But while some of us are stuffing our faces with Cadbury’s finest, the rest of the world is engaging in Easter traditions so quirky and fascinating they deserve their own Netflix special. Let’s explore the most bizarre and brilliant ways people celebrate Easter across the globe.
1. Hungary and Slovakia
In Hungary and Slovakia, Easter Monday is known as "Sprinkling" or "Watering Monday." Men sprinkle women with water or perfume, a practice believed to ensure beauty and fertility for the year ahead. While women might initially protest the soaking, the tradition is all in good fun, and in return, the men are treated to painted eggs or a sip of pálinka, a local fruit brandy.
2. Norway
In Norway, Easter isn’t just about eggs and bunnies, it’s also about solving mysteries. Known as "Påskekrim" (Easter Crime), Norwegians dive into crime novels and detective series over the holiday. Even milk cartons join the fun, featuring mini mystery stories. It’s the perfect way to blend suspense with springtime festivities.
3. Greece
On Holy Saturday in Corfu, Greece, locals participate in a tradition called Botides, or Pot Throwing. As the name suggests, residents hurl clay pots out of their windows, smashing them on the streets below. This ritual, thought to symbolize the renewal of life and the welcoming of spring, ensures you’ll experience both joy and chaos.
You can watch a video of it here: https://youtu.be/t48dYgPIEHE?si=w8-5ZoOtw3xnoR5J
4. Finland
Finnish children dress as Easter witches, wearing colourful old clothes and painting freckles on their cheeks. Armed with decorated willow branches, they visit neighbours, exchanging blessings for sweet treats. Think of it as a spring version of Halloween, with a touch of Nordic charm.
5. Poland
In Poland, "Śmigus-Dyngus" (Wet Monday) is a day of water fights. Armed with buckets, water guns, or just their hands, people soak each other in a tradition that dates back centuries. Legend has it that being drenched on this day brings good fortune, and possibly marriage within the year.
6. Australia
Rabbits are a major pest in Australia, so the Easter Bunny has been replaced by the Easter Bilby. This endangered marsupial has become a symbol of Easter Down Under, with chocolate bilbies taking the spotlight to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. It’s an adorable—and eco-conscious—twist on tradition.
The word “Easter” likely comes from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Her festival, held around the same time, may have inspired the name of the holiday.
Image credit: Britannica
7. Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Easter festivities include a spirited egg-cracking competition. Participants select a hard-boiled, painted egg and take turns tapping their eggs against each other. The owner of the last unbroken egg is declared the winner and is believed to have good fortune for the rest of the year. It’s like rock-paper-scissors, but with eggs.
In Bulgaria’s Easter egg duels, some competitors take the game very seriously, even secretly choosing the hardest eggs (often from older hens) to increase their chances of victory. It’s basically the Easter version of picking the strongest Pokémon.
8. France
In France, church bells fall silent from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, with children told they’ve “flown to Rome.” When the bells return, they bring chocolates and eggs. This whimsical story adds a touch of magic to Easter morning, as children eagerly search for the treats left behind.
9. Czech Republic
Easter Monday in the Czech Republic features a curious custom: men lightly “whipping” women with a decorated willow rod called a "pomlázka." Far from being cruel, this playful ritual is meant to bring health and vitality. In return, women offer eggs or ribbons for the pomlázka. It’s an unusual way to start the week, but it’s all in good fun.
10. United Kingdom
In parts of the UK, rolling hard-boiled eggs down a hill is an Easter tradition. The goal? To see whose egg can roll the farthest without breaking. This simple yet competitive game has been played for centuries and continues to be a favourite, especially among children. One of the biggest egg-rolling festival in the UK is held at Avenham Park in Preston, this has been running since 1867 and more than 10,000 eggs are rolled!
In the UK, a survey once revealed that 76% of people bite the ears off their chocolate bunny first. If you start with the feet or tail, you’re in the unique 24%, or just really enjoy prolonging the bunny’s suffering.
These weird and wonderful Easter traditions remind us how diverse and colourful the holiday can be. Whether you’re throwing pots in Greece, solving crimes in Norway, or cracking eggs in Bulgaria, Easter is a celebration of renewal, creativity, and community. Maybe it’s time to add a new tradition to your own festivities!
