Quirky Easter Rituals from Around the World

Looking ahead to Easter

Beyond the sweets and church services, the world is full of wonderfully quirky Easter traditions—from flying kites to water fights. Here are some of the most unusual Easter rituals celebrated across the globe.

Water Fights in Poland – Śmigus-Dyngus

In Poland, Easter Monday is anything but peaceful. Known as Śmigus-Dyngus, this tradition involves people dousing each other with water. While it may sound like a springtime prank, it’s symbolic of cleansing one from sins and marking the end of Lent with a day of feasting and merrymaking.

Whipping Up Love in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Easter Monday in the Czech Republic and Slovakia brings the peculiar tradition of 'pomlázka'—a ritual where men lightly whip women with braided willow branches. It’s said to bring youth and vitality to the women. As bizarre as it sounds, it’s often done with good humour, ribbons, and chocolate involved.

Kite Flying in Bermuda

While many associate Easter with eggs, Bermudians take to the skies. On Good Friday, locals celebrate by flying homemade, brightly decorated kites. This tradition began as a way to symbolise Christ’s ascension, and today, the skies over Bermuda are filled with colourful geometric patterns and buzzing tails.

Crime TV Marathons in Norway – Påskekrim

In Norway, Easter is the time to… binge murder mysteries. Yes, 'Påskekrim' (Easter crime) involves the entire nation diving into detective novels, true crime shows, and who-done-it dramas. Even milk cartons feature mini mystery stories. Why? No one knows how it started, but it’s now as essential as chocolate eggs.

Giant Omelette in France

In Haux, France, Easter Monday is all about cooking—and not just any meal. Locals whip up a giant omelette using over 15,000 eggs, which feeds more than 1,000 people. Legend says Napoleon once stopped by and loved the omelette so much, he ordered the townspeople to make one big enough to feed his army.

Dress Like a Witch in Sweden and Finland

In a charming mix of Halloween and Easter, children in Sweden and parts of Finland dress up as witches and go door-to-door exchanging drawings and blessings for sweets. They carry broomsticks, wear colourful scarves, and paint freckles on their faces. It's rooted in old beliefs about evil spirits being especially active during Holy Week.

Exploding Carts in Florence, Italy

Florence offers an Easter spectacle with its tradition of Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). Inside the cathedral, a centuries-old cart filled with fireworks is ignited by a mechanical dove, symbolising the Holy Spirit. The resulting fireworks show is meant to ensure a good harvest and general prosperity.

The Egg Rolling Race at the White House

One of the most iconic and quirky Easter traditions in the United States is the White House Easter Egg Roll. Children gather on the South Lawn to roll eggs with long-handled spoons. According to tradition, Dolley Madison, the wife of President James Madison, began the event in 1814.

So this year, as you’re biting the ears off a chocolate bunny, perhaps you should be grateful that you’re not being chased with a water pistol, or whipped with willow.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!