With less than a week to Easter weekend, though we don'tcreslly celebrate it much in this country, for other countries Easter is one the most celebrated events of the year. From decorating easter trees and putting other decorations around to special cakes and meals, they certainly do it better imo. Have a little look at what each of the 12 countries below do and state which one you would rather be spending Easter in and perhaps why too. 😀
🇬🇷 Greece
Easter (Orthodox Easter) is the biggest celebration of the year. Midnight Saturday brings candlelit services and fireworks, followed by egg-cracking with red-dyed eggs. Sunday is all about family feasting and roasted lamb.
Traditional foods:
• Magiritsa (a really delicious lamb offal soup eaten after returning from midnight service)
• Tsoureki (sweet braided Easter bread), usually witj a painted egg in the middle
• Roasted lamb on a spit
• Koulourakia (buttery Easter cookies)
• Red-dyed eggs
🇸🇪 Sweden
Children dress as Easter witches and collect sweets. Homes are decorated with feathers and spring branches, and celebrations are light and family-oriented.
Traditional foods:
• Pickled herring
• Gravlax (cured salmon)
• Boiled eggs with toppings
• Janssons frestelse (creamy potato anchovy casserole)
• Easter candies and chocolates
🇲🇽 Mexico
During Semana Santa, communities host reenactments and processions. It’s both deeply religious and festive, with lots of regional food traditions.
Traditional foods:
• Capirotada (bread pudding with syrup, cheese, and raisins)
• Empanadas (sweet or savory pastries)
• Fish and seafood dishes (common during Lent)
• Torrejas (sweet fried bread similar to French toast)
🇵🇱 Poland
Holy Saturday food blessings and Easter Sunday breakfast are central. Easter Monday brings playful water fights.
Traditional foods:
• Zurek (sour rye soup, often with sausage and egg)
• Babka (sweet yeast cake)
• Mazurek (decorated flat pastry cake)
• Sausages and cold cuts
• Hard-boiled eggs
🇪🇸 Spain
Famous for dramatic Holy Week processions with elaborate floats and music.
Traditional foods:
• Torrijas (sweet soaked bread, like French toast)
• Mona de Pascua (Easter cake often topped with eggs or chocolate figures)
• Potaje de vigilia (chickpea and spinach stew)
• Fried pastries and sweets
🇫🇮 Finland
Children dress as witches and exchange decorated branches for treats. Bonfires are lit in some areas.
Traditional foods:
• Mämmi (traditional rye dessert pudding)
• Roast lamb
• Easter eggs and chocolates
• Pasha (rich dessert made with dairy and spices)
🇮🇹 Italy
Easter includes grand religious events and regional traditions like Florence’s fireworks cart.
Traditional foods:
• Colomba di Pasqua (dove-shaped Easter cake)
• Lamb dishes (roast or stewed)
• Pastiera Napoletana (ricotta and wheat pie)
• Torta Pasqualina (savory pie with spinach and eggs)
🇦🇺 Australia
A relaxed celebration with outdoor activities, and the Easter Bilby replaces the bunny.
Traditional foods:
• Chocolate bilbies
• Hot cross buns
• Roast lamb
• Pavlova or light desserts
🇫🇷 France
Church bells “bring” chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday, and communities gather for shared meals.
Traditional foods:
• Chocolate eggs and bells
• Roast lamb (gigot d’agneau)
• Easter brioche
• Giant omelette (in some regions like Haux)
🇩🇪 Germany
The origin of the Easter Bunny, with egg-decorating, fires, and festive markets.
Traditional foods:
• Osterbrot (sweet Easter bread)
• Roast lamb or ham
• Decorated eggs
• Easter pastries and cakes
🇵🇭 Philippines
Holy Week is intense and spiritual, ending with the joyful “Salubong” celebration.
Traditional foods:
• Bibingka (rice cake)
• Puto bumbong (purple rice dessert)
• Fresh fruits and local sweets
• Dishes prepared for post-fast feasts
🇧🇷 Brazil
Colorful processions and street carpets mark Easter celebrations.
Traditional foods:
• Chocolate Easter eggs
• Cod dishes (bacalhau)
• Sweet breads and pastries
• Coconut desserts
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All sound great but Greece and Germany for me.
Greece for the cakes and food and different traditions like the processions, midnight mass and carrying light lanterns.
Germany for all the decorations and Easter markets. |
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"France or New Zealand. I know it isn't on your list, but not a huge fan of Australia."
 Famous for the Auckland Royal Easter Show and the Central Otago "Great Easter Bunny Hunt". Mind though this is not chocolate. |
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"Mexico, por supuesto. 
I’d love some capirotada!
Would you describe it as sweet and savoury bread and butter pudding?  "
My mum always made it sweet- so yes, it is close to bread and butter pudding, but more treacly and less custardy. It’s made with baguette kind of bread, so very crunchy and satisfying. 😋
In some states though, the put tomato sauce in it and CHEESE like you mentioned 🫣 🫣 that is horrendous hahaha… never tried it like that! |
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"Mexico, por supuesto.
I’d love some capirotada!
Would you describe it as sweet and savoury bread and butter pudding?
My mum always made it sweet- so yes, it is close to bread and butter pudding, but more treacly and less custardy. It’s made with baguette kind of bread, so very crunchy and satisfying. 😋
In some states though, the put tomato sauce in it and CHEESE like you mentioned 🫣 🫣 that is horrendous hahaha… never tried it like that! "
I am with you on that. Your mum's version sounds good, not the other one |
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