15 Classic Easter Traditions That Make Sunday Feel Meaningful Every Year
Enjoy activities like egg hunts, brunch, and opening baskets.
There’s something comforting about classic Easter traditions. Long before the baskets are filled and the brunch table is set, the heart of Easter Sunday is found in the symbolism passed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s dressing up in your Sunday best and gathering for worship or dyeing eggs for a festive egg hunt, these timeless customs are what make the holiday feel truly special. The Drummonds, for example, go all out with their Easter activities! Every year they open fun Easter baskets, have a huge egg hunt with all the kids, and attend a special church service.
These classic Easter traditions strike the perfect balance between meaningful and fun. They’re the kinds of rituals that instantly set the tone for the day, from quiet moments in the morning to the smiles that come with gifts in the afternoon. Maybe your family’s must-dos include baking something seasonal, decorating the house with seasonal touches, or sitting down to a meal that feels a little more significant than usual. Maybe you never miss flying a kite or heading to a parade.
What makes these traditions endure isn’t just nostalgia—it’s the memories they create for the younger generation. They mark the arrival of spring, bring families together, and offer a sense of continuity year after year. Whether you’re continuing beloved customs or starting new ones inspired by the past, the classic Easter traditions below help turn an ordinary Sunday into a special celebration everyone looks forward to.
Get ready for Easter Sunday:
Attend an Easter Parade
Going to a parade (and topping it off with a festive bonnet) is one of Easter’s most charming traditions. Whether you go full-on with ribbons, florals, and pastel tulle or keep it simple with a pretty spring hat, it’s a fun excuse to dress up in your Sunday best and celebrate the season in style. Find a local parade or start your own neighborhood stroll.
Play Easter Games
The White House Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition since 1878, and it's just as fun to recreate at home. All you need are some long-handled spoon and a few eggs. You can also try egg tapping! Two people tap their eggs together to see whose cracks first. It's commonly practiced in small Southern towns in the U.S., where you might even find a few official contests.
Enjoy an Easter Meal
Whether your family does brunch after church or sits down to a classic Easter dinner, it’s the kind of ritual that feels both special and comforting. Bring out the favorites, like baked ham, spring sides, and a sweet dessert, then linger a little longer, because the best part is simply being together.
Dye Easter Eggs
Turning a batch or two of hard boiled eggs into pastel beauties is probably the most popular Easter pastime. If you want to switch things up, start by trying these Easter egg decorating ideas!
Eat a Giant Omelette
Every year on Easter Monday in Haux, France, the whole town gathers to eat a giant omelet made from 15,000 eggs! Yours doesn't have to be that big, but you can still get in on the fun by making a family-sized omelet for everyone to enjoy.
Host an Easter Egg Hunt
In addition to eating colorful eggs, you can also hide a bunch of colorful eggs around your backyard. The best part about an egg hunt is that you can have one indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather.
Make Hot Cross Buns
Here's a delicious tradition with significant religious meaning: Bake a batch of your own hot cross buns this year, each one decorated with a glazed cross.
Get the Hot Cross Buns recipe.
Fill Easter Baskets
Ree still gets her kids Easter baskets even as they get older! Fill them with candy, stuffed animals, and other little gifts they'll enjoy.
Eat Chocolate Bunnies
You don't have to tell us twice! These hollow bunnies are an Easter favorite, especially when paired with a handful of chocolate eggs, too.
Decorate an Easter Tree
Here's a tradition that might be new to you! If you like to keep your Christmas tree up as long as possible, decorating an Easter tree might be a great idea. It's a popular practice in Germany where you'll find bare branches decorated with colorful eggs hung by ribbons.
Bake a Ham
Easter dinner menus change from family to family, but one common main course is a juicy baked ham. While lamb is the more traditional option, stemming from the Jewish holiday Passover, ham has become a popular pick because it's affordable and can feed a big family.
Fly a Kite
Flying a kite on Good Friday is a fun kid-friendly tradition from Bermuda. The legend is that the practice comes from a teacher who once gave students kites to fly, explaining the ascension of Jesus. It sounds like the perfect way to celebrate a sunny spring Easter day!
Gift Easter Lilies
These pretty white lilies are often gifted at Easter time. Because of their color, they symbolize innocence and purity. You'll also find tulips, irises, and daisies gifted at this time of year.
Huddle Around a Bonfire
Did you know? In northeastern Europe, people light huge bonfires on Easter Sunday called "Easter fires" to chase away winter and welcome spring. If you can't start a big fire outside, a fireplace inside will do just fine!
Give Back to the Community
Easter is a great time to spread kindness and help those in need. Volunteer at a local food pantry, plant flowers in a community space, or organize a park cleanup with family and friends. Even small acts of kindness can make a big impact!
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
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