Easter may be synonymous with chocolate eggs, roast dinners and pastel coloured décor in much of the world but travel a little further and you’ll discover celebrations that are surprising, spectacular, and sometimes downright strange. From witch costumes to giant omelettes, here are ten of the most unusual Easter traditions from around the world.

1. Finland: Children dress as witches

In Finland, Easter Sunday looks a bit like Halloween. Children roam neighbourhoods dressed as trulli—a friendly witch—carrying bunches of willow twigs decorated with feathers and ribbons. They go door-to-door offering blessings for the coming year in exchange for sweets. It’s a charming blend of pagan spring rituals and modern family fun.

2. Bermuda: Giant kites fill the sky

Good Friday in Bermuda is a kaleidoscope of colour as locals gather on beaches and hilltops to fly beautiful, handcrafted kites made from bamboo and tissue paper. Many are geometric works of art that take weeks to build. The custom is said to symbolise Christ's resurrection—soaring upward into the sky.

3. Norway: Easter crime novels take over

Norwegians celebrate Easter with… crime? Believe it or not! The country goes all in on Påskekrim, or “Easter crime.” Bookstores release special crime-thriller editions, TV channels play wall to wall mysteries, and magazines publish short detective stories. Even milk cartons sometimes feature mini whodunits.

4. Spain: Drumming rituals that last all night

In the small Spanish town of Calanda, Holy Week is marked by an intense ritual called La Rompida de la Hora – ‘the breaking of the hour’. Thousands of drummers dressed in purple gather and beat their drums in unison for up to 24 hours. The thunderous sound reverberates through the streets and is said to commemorate the moment of Christ’s death.

5. Greece: Pot throwing in Corfu

Corfu welcomes Easter Saturday with a loud and dramatic custom called pot throwing. At exactly 11am, residents hurl large clay pots—some filled with water—off their balconies to smash on the streets below. The tradition is believed to bring good luck and symbolise renewal by clearing out the old to welcome the new.

6. Australia: The Easter Bilby, not the bunny

To raise awareness of endangered wildlife, Australians have swapped the Easter Bunny (often associated with crop destruction) for the Easter Bilby, a small, long eared marsupial. Chocolate bilbies are sold nationwide, with proceeds supporting conservation efforts. Cute and meaningful? Absolutely.

7. Poland: Nationwide water fights

Poland’s Śmigus-Dyngus occurs on Easter Monday and involves people dousing each other with water—sometimes with buckets, sometimes with water guns, sometimes with anything they can grab. Historically, the custom symbolised cleansing and fertility, but today it’s mostly an excuse for joyful chaos.

8. France: A giant omelette that feeds 1,000 people

In the French town of Bessières, residents cook a giant omelette using more than 15,000 eggs in the town square. The colossal dish is prepared by the Brotherhood of the Giant Omelette and served to the public. The tradition is rooted in Napoleonic legend, where the emperor allegedly ordered a huge omelette for his troops after passing through the region.

9. Guatemala: Colourful carpet art made of sawdust

Guatemala’s Semana Santa (Holy Week) is famous for its vibrant alfombras, intricate carpets made from brightly coloured sawdust, flowers, fruits and vegetables laid along procession routes. Many of the designs are stunning works of art, but they’re temporary: processions later walk over them, symbolising impermanence and devotion.

10. Czech Republic & Slovakia: Decorative whipping (yes, really)

In parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Easter Monday includes a tradition where men lightly tap women with braided willow switches called pomlázka—believed to bring health and youth for the coming year. In modern times, the custom is usually playful and symbolic, though it remains one of Europe’s most unusual Easter practices.

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These traditions show how Easter takes on extraordinary forms around the globe, shaped by centuries of culture, folklore and local flavour. 

If this has inspired you to explore the world for your next Easter getaway, remember to look for the ABTA logo when planning your next trip. Booking with an ABTA member gives you the peace of mind, support and reassurance you need, so you can focus on enjoying your Easter break.