Overview:
This article explores Easter traditions 2026, highlighting how practices like egg hunts, church services, and family meals continue to reflect themes of hope, renewal, and new beginnings.
“Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life,” journalist Janine di Giovanni wrote. Giovanni is an Italian-American correspondent, covering various wars and conflicts in the Middle East and also the persecution of Christians in Iraq. Yet, even in troubled times and uncertainty, Easter continues to remind us of new life and the promise of new beginnings. This year, many people are looking forward to celebrating unique Easter traditions 2026 that reflect hope and renewal.
Across the US and the world, certain traditions – both secular and sacred – continue as they have for hundreds, if not thousands of years. From Easter Sunday services to egg hunts on a green lawn, families gather to remember and make new memories.
But what is new in 2026? Presence News did a ‘deep dive’ into Easter traditions 2026 and why they matter in our current day.
Egg Coloring and Hunting: Easter Traditions 2026
According to TIME magazine, coloring Easter eggs remains a top tradition in the US and many parts of Europe. As Christianity spread north and westward in the Roman Empire, early believers encountered tribes, Celts, Gauls, Visigoths, etc., who practiced their own rituals for welcoming spring. Surviving another long and harsh winter sparked the desire for celebration throughout northern Europe.
“Many scholars believe that Easter had its origins as an early Anglo-Saxon festival that celebrated the goddess Eastre, and the coming of spring, in a sense a resurrection of nature after winter,” Carole Levin, Professor of History and Director of the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program at the University of Nebraska, wrote in 2023.
Levin also explained how some Christians incorporated certain feasts with holy days to encourage conversion among the local tribes. However, other scholars say that preserving eggs was simply a way to stretch resources from last year’s harvest. Sources cite that the earliest record of dyed eggs came from Medieval England in 1290. Historian Ronald Hutton writes that 450 gold-leaf eggs were given to “the royal entourage” under King Edward I.
Modern-Day Egg Decorating and Trends
Today, the tradition of coloring and hiding eggs continues to enthrall children and adults alike. Whether you dye hard-boiled eggs or purchase plastic ones, incorporating eggs into spring-themed décor is popular. Influencers are promoting this trend on social platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.
According to Jennifer Rogers of ChaseOaks Church, in Plano, Texas, the tradition of hiding eggs can be traced back to the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther. Rogers explained that the modern concept of an Easter egg hunt resembles Luther’s idea.
“The tradition is also associated with Martin Luther, who had men hide eggs for women and children — mirroring the joy the women at Jesus’ tomb felt when they discovered it was empty,” Rogers wrote.
Across the nation, families prepare to hide brightly colored eggs for children to find, often filled with candy and other small treats/gifts. Eggs represent the promise of new life and the joys of spring.
Attending Easter Services
Credit:
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Among Easter traditions 2026, attending church services continues to be a central practice for many families. Attendance remains popular both in the US and globally, but is there an actual increase in numbers?
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, explained that although many churches view high attendance as something that declined after the pandemic, seasonal attendance patterns have begun to return
Easter Attendance Trends in 2026
According to McConnell, the sharpest increase among worshipers is found in Protestant churches spanning the Midwest and Southern regions. Livingston County News also recently reported an increase in attendance in Roman Catholic services leading up to Easter Sunday.
The current US-Israeli and Iranian conflict cast a shadow over worshippers trying to attend Good Friday and Easter services at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. On April 3rd, Israeli forces allowed a “limited” number of clergy and pilgrims to hold a prayer service.
Several European nations, namely Italy, Spain, and France, have criticized the decision made by officials. Israeli police, however, cite safety concerns as a reason for the restrictions, amid heightened regional tensions and security concerns.
Traditionally, Easter Sunday is observed by Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox (on a different date), and many Protestant denominations. The service focuses on celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking three days after the crucifixion, according to the Bible. All four of the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) include the events of Christ’s passion and resurrection.
Special hymns, such as “Thine be the Glory” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” are sung by many congregations and symbolic flowers adorn the worship space, i.e., lilies.
Easter Parades
Since the turn of the 20th century, many marked the Easter holiday with new outfits and strolling down main street. As changes in fashion occurred and celebrations altered, some parades faded from public consciousness. However, the NYC Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival retains its popularity among those welcoming warmer days and sunshine in the city that never sleeps.
The New Yorker editor, Christina Izzo, cites in a recent article that “this parade is all about the hats—lavishly decorated, from the exquisite to the outlandish.” New York City’s parade harks back to 1870 and roughly follows the same route with attendees starting their route near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and ending on Fifth Avenue.
The The Larkin Tea Company of The Plains, Virginia, summed up the enduring tradition of Easter bonnets and parades. “Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Easter bonnets gained popularity in both the United Kingdom and the United States, mainly among women and children,” the company said. “These bonnets were embellished with flowers, ribbons, and other decorative elements, offering individuals an opportunity to express personal creativity and craftsmanship.”
Easter Candies
Coming in at number three, the forth trending tradition centers on Easter baskets and specialty candies. Since the Middle Ages in Europe, people celebrated with breads, cakes, and meat-pies ranging from the simple to ornate banquets depending upon their social status.
Candies made from marzipan – almonds and sugar paste – still remain a top favorite in modern Europe, especially in Germany and Italy. Today, chocolate reigns as monarch in many Easter baskets across the world.
The idea of an Easter bunny delivering sweet treats came to North America in the 1700s, according to Wokenfuss Candies, located in Baltimore, Maryland. “Brought to America by German immigrants, the rabbit symbolizes new life, tying in with this spring season when the natural world wakes up after winter,” staff members explain on the company’s website. “It also metaphorically echoes in the origins of the Christian holiday, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus.”
Today, the treats range from jelly beans, chocolate eggs, and marshmallows in the shape of chicks and rabbits. Online sources say that the first chocolate bunny was created sometime in the 1830s and ’40s.
Family Table
Rounding off the top five trending traditions is what takes place around the dinner table. Whether or not a family celebrates the religious aspects, Easter remains a time to gather with one another and share in the bounty of another spring.
Traditional dishes include ham, lamb, potatoes, and deviled eggs in the US. Europeans enjoy Hot Cross Buns in the UK, asparagus in Germany, and Lamb Pie in Sicily, amid the warmth of southern Italy. In small apartments or country houses, people met with loved ones to enjoy the day and cultural festivities.
Family recipes and new ideas for tablescapes occupy many thoughts and provide opportunities for conversation and shared activities. Inviting family and friends for an Easter brunch has gained in popularity over recent years, based on the traditional feast.
Easter Brunch Ideas
Looking for any last minute brunch ideas? Here are few sweet and savory dishes that can be made ahead and then warmed or baked in the oven in time for guests to arrive and give you a moment of peace.
- Make ahead Eggs Benedict – sure to please any crowd with a touch of simple elegance. You can find the recipe here: https://themodernproper.com/eggs-benedict
- Baked French Toast – warm, soft, and sweet without going overboard. You can set out a range of condiments from fresh fruit, jellies, and classic maple syrup. Find the recipe here: https://themodernproper.com/baked-french-toast
- Breakfast Casserole – a classic favorite combining savory delights and aromas. You can find the recipe here: https://themodernproper.com/sausage-breakfast-casserole
- Spinach Mushroom Strata – an earthy addition to your table, accommodating specific dietary needs. You can find the recipe here: https://themodernproper.com/spinach-mushroom-strata
According to Sarah Wassberg Johnson, author and food historian, the idea of plenty springs from a time of fasting.
40 days of Lent culminated with all of the “forbidden” foods as the centerpiece. “Easter, particularly coming out of Lent, was associated with some sort of feasting; food has always been an integral part of the celebration,” Johnson wrote for the Harry&David website.
These Easter traditions 2026 highlight the enduring need for hope and renewal in uncertain times.
Sources:
Lauren Nicholsen. Easter Decorating Ideas 2026. YouTube
Songs Of Praise. Thine Be the Glory | Songs of Praise. YouTube.
WolfGirl04. Easter Parade (Title Song) – Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. YouTube.
WUSA9. What’s Your Favorite Easter Candy? Here’s a Breakdown of the Most Popular by State. YouTube.
Rick Steves’ Europe. Rick Steves’ European Easter: Celebrations Across Europe. YouTube.
TODAY. 77 Thoughtful Easter Quotes to Uplift and Inspire You.
TIME. Here’s Why Easter Eggs Are a Thing.
Chase Oaks Church. Easter Eggs: What Is the History Behind This Tradition?
Lifeway Research. Easter Remains High Attendance Day for Most Churches.
Harry & David. The Surprising Story Behind Easter Food Traditions.
The Modern Proper. Breakfast Casserole.
The Modern Proper. Baked French Toast.
The Modern Proper. Eggs Benedict.
The Modern Proper. Spinach Mushroom Strata.
The Lincoln County News. Easter Sunday Mass Draws Crowds.
Middle East Eye. Limited Good Friday Ceremony Held at Holy Sepulchre as Israel Bans Worshippers.
Time Out New York. Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival. in NYC 2026
Larkin Tea Company. Easter Bonnets and Parades.
Institute of Culinary Education. Marzipan in My Veins: A History of the Almond Candy.
Wockenfuss Candies. A History of Easter Candy: Where Do These Traditions Come From
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and reflects a general overview of Easter traditions and cultural practices. Historical references and interpretations may vary among scholars and sources.
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