Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Easter symbols and traditions
- What is an Easter Egg Hunt?
- When is Easter 2024, and when are the school holidays in the UK?
- Traditional Easter food ideas to celebrate with family
- A Joyous Occasion for All
In the UK, Easter involves attending church, family time, and exchanging Easter eggs as traditional customs.
Many people also celebrate the holiday by participating in Easter egg hunts, where decorated eggs are hidden, and children try to find them. Some families also have traditions of making hot cross buns, which are sweet buns made with spices and dried fruit.
Overall, Easter in the UK is a time for people to come together and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter symbols and traditions
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As such, many of the symbols and traditions associated with the holiday have religious significance. Easter celebrated in the UK by the vast majority of christian community
Some common Easter symbols include the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, and the Easter cross. The Easter bunny is a popular figure that is said to bring Easter eggs to children and is often portrayed as a large rabbit.
Easter eggs, are a symbol of new life and are often decorated and given as gifts. The Easter cross is a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus and the victory of life over death.
In addition to these symbols, many people also observe Easter by participating in religious services and celebrations, such as attending church and spending time with family.
It is common to invite your family and friends over for Easter Sunday lunch, after going to church for the Easter service, the family gathers to enjoy a lovely lamb roast. Common decorations are dyed or painted eggs, little yellow chicks, bunnies, and spring flowers, such as daffodils, white lilies, and tulips. The colours yellow or gold are usually associated with Easter, as these are the colours the Church of England uses for the Easter Sunday celebrations.
– Morris dancing
This event takes place around Easter time, it is a form of English folk dancing that typically. Morris dancers practice their dancing all year round but usually step out in public around Easter in the United Kingdom.
– Maypole dancing
This is another Easter time tradition in Britain – and in other parts of the world too. Dancers hold on to colourful ribbons which are attached to the top of a large pole and dance in patterns, often to live music played by the village band.
– Parades
This is quite common during the Easter breaks when people dress in traditional Easter costumes while they make their way through town.
What is an Easter egg hunt?
As you may have guessed, eggs are a huge part of Easter in the UK. Eggs which people abstain from during the holy week are seen as symbols of new life during Easter.
An Easter egg hunt is a popular activity that is often associated with the Easter holiday. In an Easter egg hunt, decorated eggs are hidden in designated areas for children (or adults) to find.
People can make eggs from plastic, chocolate, or other materials, often coloring and decorating them with patterns or designs. Typically, the one who finds the most eggs is declared the Easter egg hunt winner.
Easter egg hunts, organized by families, schools, or communities, offer a fun way for people to celebrate the holiday.
Other games involving Easter eggs are as follows:
- Egg tapping: this is a contest for the hardest egg: the contestants tap each other’s eggs with the tips of their eggs to find out who has the hardest one.
- Egg rolling: this is a game where contestants roll their egg down a steep hill to see whose egg reaches the furthest.
- Egg dance: requires dancing among eggs while keeping them undamaged. In some traditions, the egg dancer may be blindfolded.
When is Easter 2024, and when are the school holidays in the UK?
A huge part of what makes Easter special for so many is that with the Easter breaks come bank holidays and school holidays. Most institutions will be closed on Good Friday till Monday after Easter. As a result, families usually use this time to travel abroad for a short break from home.
Easter Sunday 2024, falls on the 31st of March, 2023. Unlike in 2023, where, Easter arrived near the end of the school holidays. In 2024, celebrations are set to come midway through the break.
Most schools are expected to close for Easter Holidays on Monday, 3 April 2023, and end on Friday, 14 April 2023. That is 6 weeks of holidays for you to do the things you love and celebrate Easter.
Public transportation may have altered schedules during Easter week, with many leaving town to be with their families.
Traditional Easter food ideas to celebrate with family
In the UK, traditional Easter foods often include roasted lamb, ham, and spring vegetables. These dishes are often served as part of a larger meal with sides such as mashed potatoes and gravy.
UK Easter dishes include hot cross buns, sweet buns with spices and dried fruit, and decorated Easter eggs, often hard-boiled and dyed.
Some families also have traditions of making lamb-shaped cakes or cookies to celebrate the holiday. Besides these dishes, the UK indulges in traditional Easter desserts like simnel cake and chocolate eggs.
Overall, many delicious and festive dishes are enjoyed easter celebrated in the UK, and families can choose which ones to include in their celebrations and follow the easter traditions.
A Joyous Occasion for All
Easter is a holiday that is celebrated in a variety of ways, depending on where you live, and your religious beliefs. The Easter break brings a time of joy for all citizens as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and get some time off from work and school during the Spring months.
Easter in the UK offers a welcome break, a time to gather with loved ones, before returning to busy routines.
