🐣🌷 12 Wild, Beautiful & Unexpected Easter Traditions in Europe 🐰🥚
Easter in Europe is more than chocolate bunnies and egg hunts—think fireworks in Florence, witches in Sweden, and water fights in Hungary. Here are 12 traditions that make Easter in Europe unforgettable:
🇮🇹 Florence, Italy – Scoppio del Carro
Exploding cart in the heart of the city.
A centuries-old cart packed with fireworks is rolled into Piazza del Duomo and set off after Easter Mass—literally blessing the city with a bang.
🇪🇸 Seville, Spain – Semana Santa Processions
Where Easter meets full-on theater.
Dramatic processions with floats, incense, and hooded penitents take over the streets during Holy Week. It’s haunting, sacred, and unforgettable.
🇩🇪 Germany – Osterbrunnen (Easter Fountains)
Thousands of painted eggs, one big splash of spring.
Villages go all out decorating fountains with eggs and greenery, turning town centers into colorful celebrations.
Hollókő, Hungary – Water Dousing Day
Prepare to get soaked.
On Easter Monday, boys splash girls with water or perfume. It’s playful, traditional, and rooted in good health wishes.
🇵🇱 Poland – Święconka (Blessing of the Baskets)
Baskets full of meaning.
Families bring decorated baskets filled with eggs, bread, sausage, and more to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday.
🇬🇷 Greece – Midnight Resurrection & Fireworks
From candlelight to skyfire.
Churchgoers light candles from a single flame at midnight on Holy Saturday—then the fireworks begin. after Easter Mass—literally blessing the city with a bang.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic & Slovakia – Pomlázka Whipping
Health, youth, and a willow branch.
Boys lightly whip girls with braided willow branches in a tradition said to bring vitality—and earn chocolate or decorated eggs in return.
🇸🇪 Sweden – Easter Witches (Påskkärringar)
Mini Halloween, but make it Easter.
Kids dress up as witches and go door-to-door with drawings in exchange for sweets. It’s weirdly adorable.
🇫🇷 Bessières, France – Giant Omelet & Flying Bells
A 15,000-egg breakfast? Oui.
Church bells “fly to Rome” on Good Friday and return Easter Sunday. In Bessières, locals cook a massive omelet to celebrate.
🇳🇴 Norway – Påskekrim (Easter Crime Novels)
Murder mysteries + Easter? Only in Norway
Norwegians spend the Easter holiday curled up with crime novels—even milk cartons feature short mysteries.
🇫🇮 Finland – Easter Grass Growing
Spring starts small.
Finnish children plant ryegrass in little pots and decorate them with chicks and eggs to welcome Easter.
🇵🇹 Portugal – The Compasso Procession
Door-to-door blessings.
A priest visits homes with a crucifix to bless families, who greet him with open doors and hearts.
🧺 Planning an Easter trip? Don’t miss our other posts on where to go and what to eat for Easter in Europe!
