Easter is one of the most widely celebrated Christian holidays, and while the core of the celebration - honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ - remains the same, the way people mark the occasion varies wildly from country to country. From solemn religious rituals to joyful parades, egg battles and giant omelets, here’s a tour around the world to see how Easter comes to life across continents.
Europe: Deep Roots and Rich Rituals
Europe has a long history of Easter traditions. In Orthodox Christian countries like Romania, Serbia and Greece, people celebrate the holiday one to two weeks later than in other parts of the world because Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar. In Germany, families decorate Easter trees with painted eggs, much like Christmas trees in December.
In Poland, families gather for Easter Sunday breakfast, which often includes a sweet bread called babka. On Easter Monday in France, something unique happens: Volunteers in the French town of Bessières gather to cook a giant omelet. Thousands of eggs are cracked and cooked to create this huge dish. So why do they do this?
Tradition says that Napoleon and his army were traveling through the south of France one day and stopped in a small town. They ate omelets there, and Napoleon liked them so much that he ordered the townspeople to gather their eggs and make a giant omelet for his army the next day. Bessières has been doing this holiday tradition since 1973.
From egg-decorated trees in Germany to the grand feasts of Eastern Europe, the resurrection of Jesus remains at the center of many celebrations. And God is working in hearts and lives across Europe to bring His Word to people still waiting - like the Eastern Slovak Romani people who finally received their complete Bible in 2023!
We rejoice that God is moving in Bible translation through partnerships between like-minded organizations and local churches so everyone can encounter Him through translated Scripture in their language
Americas: Bringing God’s Word to Every Community
Easter traditions across North, Central and South America reflect the region’s deep cultural diversity. In Bermuda, families fly colorful kites on Good Friday. The tradition started one year when a teacher wanted to help students learn about Jesus ascending to heaven. So he took a kite decorated with Jesus’ face on it and let it soar into the sky to illustrate His ascension.
In Colombia, Easter Sunday isn’t celebrated with a lot of fanfare, but Holy Week draws thousands into the streets for solemn processions and church services. Many people go on vacation during Holy Week, while some travel from bigger cities to smaller Colombian towns for traditional Holy Week processions and to observe decorations in churches.
In the United States, Easter often brings communities together for church services, egg hunts and an abundance of sweets. Families gather to worship, celebrate and reflect on Jesus’ resurrection.
In contrast, Mexico maintains a more religious tone. Holy Week is filled with passion plays (reenactments of the crucifixion), most famously in Iztapalapa, where thousands gather to witness a dramatic and deeply moving performance.
Many people in the Americas still lack access to God’s Word in their own language. Deep in the Amazon, communities like the Piapocos are eager to begin translation work so that they can have Scripture in a way that touches their hearts.
Africa: Blending Christianity with Local Culture
Easter is widely celebrated in churches throughout Africa: From Maundy Thursday to Resurrection Sunday, churches are adorned with butterflies, flowers and bright colors.
In Ethiopia, Christian churches celebrate Fasika, the 55 days leading up to Easter. Fasika is actually a bigger deal to people than Christmas! During this holiday celebration, people spend 55 days fasting from meat and animal products.
In South Africa, the day After Easter is known as Family Day, designed to provide a chance for loved ones to gather and reflect on the holiday’s meaning.
From vibrant vigils to weeks of fasting and prayer, Christians across Africa rejoice in Christ’s victory over death. But for many, the story of Easter is not yet available in their own language. As Bible translation continues through church-led partnerships in countries like Nigeria and Madagascar, more people are discovering the power of the resurrection in the words of Scripture, bringing lasting hope to their communities. Every new Scripture translation allows more people to encounter the risen Christ in a deeply personal way.
Asia: The Resurrection in Every Language
Asia, the world’s largest continent, is home to countless cultures and Easter traditions. In the Philippines, Easter morning begins with two separate processions - the men are in one procession and follow an image of Jesus’ mother, Mary, who’s wearing a black veil. The two groups meet at the church as a symbol of Jesus comforting Mary after He was raised from the dead. Then girls who are dressed up as angels for Easter take off Mary’s veil (called a lambong) and people celebrate!
In India, where Christians make up a small percentage of the population, people celebrate Easter as a “spring festival”. While egg dyeing and decorating is not common, many purchase elaborately decorated eggs and give them as presents to their children.
Asia’s vast diversity means the holiday is celebrated in many different ways. On a continent with thousands of languages, millions of people are still waiting to encounter Scripture in their own language and format.
But God is at work, bringing His Word to both spoken and signed languages in Asia - including Thai Sign Language, the primary sign language of the Deaf community in Thailand. As a result, more people in Asia are encountering the risen Christ through His Word.
Oceania: Laid-Back Easter Down Under
Oceania is home to multiple islands, each with its own landscapes, cultures and traditions. In New Zealand and Australia, Easter falls during autumn, and many people enjoy eating hot cross buns - a spiced sweet bread marked with a cross.
While we typically associate Easter with images of rabbits, some Australians don’t use rabbits as their Easter festivities because they’re considered pests. Instead, they use the holiday to celebrate an endangered Australian animal called a bilby. It has long ears and looks similar to a rabbit, so they dub the animal the “Easter Bilby”.
In Vanuatu, an island in the South Pacific, Easter week centers around church activities, including a sunrise service on Easter morning. Worshippers gather to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and proclaim His resurrection with joy.
Celebrations in Oceania are shaped by rich traditions, but many communities still long to experience the story of Jesus’ resurrection in their own language. Through Bible translation - like the innovative workshops in the Solomon Islands that bridge the gap between oral communities and access to God’s Word - more people are encountering Jesus in Scripture. These efforts are deepening and transforming their faith, helping them better grasp the hope found in Him.
Easter is a global celebration that takes shape in countless ways. It is shaped by local traditions, history and culture. From candlelit processions, to red eggs or joyful gatherings in Nigeria, each celebration reflects a shared message of renewal and hope.
Despite the differences, Easter brings people together - through faith, community and the promise of new beginnings. Whether solemn or festive, these traditions highlight the beauty of a global celebration rooted in the shared human spirit.
