Easter in England: Traditions, Customs, and Essential English Vocabulary

matthewjohnlewis25
Apr 15
3 min read

Easter in England – More Than Just Chocolate!

Easter is one of the most important celebrations in England, bringing together religious traditions, family customs, and, of course, lots of chocolate eggs! 🐣🍫

Whether you’re learning English for travel, work, or personal interest, understanding Easter traditions and vocabulary will help you sound more natural in conversations. In this post, we’ll explore the history, customs, and essential English words related to Easter in England.

1. A Quick History of Easter in England

Easter is a Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, many Easter customs in England also come from older pagan traditions, celebrating the arrival of spring and new life.

🔹 The word "Easter" comes from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.

🔹 Easter is a moveable feast, meaning the date changes every year. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21st).

💡 Fun Fact: In England, Easter is a four-day holiday weekend—with Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays!

2. Traditional Easter Customs in England

Easter in England is celebrated with a mix of religious services, family gatherings, and fun traditions. Here are some of the most popular customs:

🐣 Easter Eggs & Chocolate Treats

Eggs are a symbol of new life, and in England, they’re a huge part of Easter celebrations!

✔ Chocolate Easter eggs – Shops sell them weeks before Easter!

🍫✔ Easter egg hunts – Children search for hidden chocolate eggs.

💡 Common phrase: "Let’s do an Easter egg hunt in the garden!"

✝️ Church Services

Many people in England attend church services during Easter, especially on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

✔ Good Friday – A solemn day remembering the crucifixion of Jesus.

✔ Easter Sunday – A joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

💡 Common phrase: "We’re going to an Easter Sunday service at the church."

🐑 Hot Cross Buns – A Tasty Tradition

Hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns with a cross on top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday.

✔ The cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus.

✔ The spices symbolise the spices used to embalm Jesus’ body.

💡 Common phrase: "Would you like a hot cross bun with butter?"

🐰 The Easter Bunny

Although the Easter Bunny isn’t originally English, it’s now a big part of Easter celebrations!

✔ The Easter Bunny hides chocolate eggs for children to find.

✔ This tradition comes from Germany but became popular in England.

💡 Common phrase: "The Easter Bunny left some eggs for you!"

3. Essential Easter Vocabulary

Here are some useful English words and phrases to talk about Easter:

🔤 Easter Words & Meanings

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Easter egg	A chocolate egg given as a gift at Easter.
Easter egg hunt	A game where children look for hidden eggs.
Hot cross bun	A spiced bun with a cross on top, eaten on Good Friday.
Good Friday	The Friday before Easter Sunday, remembering Jesus' crucifixion.
Easter Sunday	The day celebrating Jesus' resurrection.
Easter Monday	A public holiday in England, the day after Easter Sunday.
Lent	The 40 days leading up to Easter, often a time of fasting.
Egg rolling	A traditional Easter game where people roll eggs down a hill.
The Easter Bunny	A fictional rabbit that brings eggs to children.
Springtime	The season of new life, often associated with Easter.

💡 Challenge: Try using at least three of these words in a conversation this Easter!

4. How to Talk About Easter in English

Want to sound more like a native speaker when talking about Easter? Try using these common English expressions:

✔ “Happy Easter!” – The standard greeting for Easter.

✔ “Are you giving up anything for Lent?” – A question about fasting before Easter.

✔ “Let’s hide the Easter eggs in the garden!” – A fun phrase for an Easter egg hunt

.✔ “I love eating hot cross buns at Easter.” – A way to talk about traditions.

✔ “Are you doing anything special for Easter weekend?” – A polite way to ask about Easter plans.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're celebrating Easter with English speakers, use these phrases to join the conversation naturally!

Final Thoughts: Enjoy Easter Like a Local!

Easter in England is a mix of religious traditions, fun activities, and delicious food. Whether you’re enjoying a chocolate egg, going to a church service, or eating hot cross buns, this holiday is a great time to practise your English conversation skills!