Easter Sunday

Easter History

Easter is dedicated to celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It's considered the principal feast of the Christian year, celebrating the redemption of humanity from sin. An event that encompasses reflections on sacrifice, redemption, and renewal, it holds spiritual significance, yet is also marked by community gatherings and family celebrations.

The observance of Easter in the United Kingdom traces back to early Christian ages, with influences from both Christian and Pagan traditions. When Christianity arrived in the UK, it integrated with existing Pagan spring festivals, bringing symbolic elements such as the egg, a symbol of new life, into Easter customs. This integration resulted in unique traditions, like the game of egg rolling, where children roll painted eggs downhill to see whose breaks last. Another notable aspect of UK Easter is the Easter Bilby, a unique British spin on the concept of the Easter Bunny, which highlights the country's commitment to wildlife preservation.

Easter in the United Kingdom is recognised with a long weekend, starting from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, with both days being public holidays. Over the Easter weekend, church services, family gatherings, feasting, and exchange of Easter eggs and gifts are the norm. Church bells ring in celebration, and parades called 'processions of witness' are held in many cities. Easter egg hunts are quite popular, and children enjoy indulging in chocolate eggs, known as Easter eggs. Easter Sunday, the day on which Easter principally falls, is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, lending this holiday a movable date that can fall between March 22 and April 25 in the UK.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Easter Sunday in the UK

• Many employees across the United Kingdom are likely to take advantage of the 2026 bank holiday calendar by booking only three days of annual leave (7–9 April) to secure a continuous ten-day spring break.
• Confectionery enthusiasts are anticipating the release of several innovative chocolate products, most notably the Cadbury Biscoff Chocolate Egg and the KitKat Chunky Funky Incredible Egg, which features biscuit pieces and cornflakes embedded in the shell.
• Luxury retail trends for the season indicate a move toward "loaded" treats, exemplified by the Big Daddy Pistachio Loaded Half Egg from Marks & Spencer, which combines thick milk chocolate with salted caramel and roasted pistachio chunks.
• The London Easter Parade is scheduled to bring vibrant costumes and themed performances to the streets of Covent Garden on Easter Sunday.
• Significant attention is being paid to the impact of global cocoa price increases, which has resulted in visible shrinkflation for several staple products, such as the Maltesers Extra Large Egg being noticeably smaller than in previous years.
• Traditional bakery offerings are seeing a modern update with the introduction of Cherry Bakewell Hot-Cross Buns and Giant Hot Cross Brioche Buns appearing in major supermarkets.
• The National Trust Easter Egg Trails remain a primary outdoor activity for families, with major events planned at historic properties such as Emmetts Garden and Chatsworth House.
• National rail services across Great Britain are expected to undergo extensive engineering works over the four-day weekend, leading many travelers to check for amended timetables and replacement bus services well in advance.
• While roast lamb has historically been the centerpiece of the British Easter Sunday meal, recent consumer data suggests a growing trend toward beef roasting joints as a preferred alternative for the celebratory dinner.
• Many families in Scotland will experience a different holiday structure than those in England and Wales, as Easter Monday is not an official nationwide bank holiday in Scotland, though many local businesses still choose to observe it.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Easter Sunday

Top things to do in the UK for Easter

• Go to a children's Easter egg hunt or hold one of your own. Many churches have them the Saturday before Easter too.
• Cook an Easter dinner for family and friends. Traditional entrees include lamb or ham. During Lent (period leading up to Easter), many Roman Catholics exclude meat from their diet, so Easter is often indulgent on meat.
• Participate in Easter Egg Hunts: Many places in the UK, such as National Trust properties, host Easter egg hunts. These are fun activities for children, who are given clues to find hidden chocolate eggs around the property.
• Prepare dishes for the occasion of Easter, such as:
  1) Roast Lamb: It's a traditional English Easter main dish that is seasoned with garlic and rosemary or fresh mint, then roasted until tender.
  2) Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary: Another classic Easter main dish, this is often served with roasted vegetables and fresh mint sauce.
  3) Spring Vegetables: Roasted or steamed seasonal vegetables, including new potatoes, spring greens and peas are often served alongside the main dish.