How is Easter celebrated in the UK? Read this article to find out.

Easter

In the UK, schools close for two weeks at Easter time. Read on to find out more about how Easter is celebrated in Britain.

What does it mean?

Easter is a spring festival of new life. As a pagan tradition it is the beginning of growth and new life after the cold, winter months. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn and spring - Eostre. For Christians, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and practising Christians attend special church services at Easter time. Easter celebrates life and rebirth, which is why we see lots of symbols of new life and fertility at Easter, like eggs, chicks and rabbits.

When is it?

Unlike Christmas, Easter isn’t on the same date each year. It takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. Schoolchildren and students in the UK have a two-week holiday at Easter time which is almost as long as the Christmas holiday. It’s also the first public holiday after Christmas and everyone looks forward to their Easter break as a moment to relax, have a short holiday or visit family and friends.

Chocolate eggs

For most British children Easter means chocolate Easter eggs. The shops are full of bright Easter displays decorated with chicks, rabbits and flowers, all with the objective of selling chocolate eggs in huge numbers. And it works! Ninety million chocolate eggs are sold in the UK each year, and each child receives on average eight chocolate eggs. The eggs are sold in cardboard boxes and sometimes there’s more packaging than chocolate!  Some people believe that too much chocolate is eaten at Easter time and most doctors and dentists would advise people to eat Easter eggs in moderation.

Other “egg-straordinary” traditions

In the UK, chocolate is definitely the most popular way to enjoy eggs at Easter. But there are some less sugary traditions, too. Chickens’ eggs are painted and decorated to give as presents, and eggs are also hidden for children to find as part of an “egg hunt”. Some places even hold competitions to see who can roll an egg down a hill without it breaking! Hot cross buns are typical cakes that are made at Easter time. They are like spiced bread rolls with raisins and they always have a cross shape on top. They are delicious served hot with butter.

Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China

How do you celebrate the new year? In China, the new year celebrations are the biggest festival of the year. 
Watch this video about the recent Year of the Rabbit and learn all about it. 

Lunar New Year Celebrations Begin in China

Transcript: 

Presenter: The Chinese New Year has arrived, and in China over a billion people are now celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. Let’s take a look!

Reporter: The Chinese New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people. In Beijing celebrations began last night, with crowds gathering to watch a Chinese lion dance. The lion dance is believed to frighten away evil spirits and bring luck for the new year. Fireworks and firecrackers are also an important part of the celebration. For most Chinese, the new year is a time for family reunions, and a lot has to be prepared.

Zheng Luo, Beijing resident: We will make dumplings and buy all the decorations we need, and put them up in our home. Then on New Year’s Day, we will go round to visit our family and friends at their houses. Of course, we’re very excited! The Spring Festival is a traditional celebration for us Chinese people and we get very excited about it.

Reporter: This year will be the Year of the Rabbit. Shanghai’s Yue Garden has been decorated with lanterns to mark the occasion. The Year of the Rabbit is known for romance. Many young Shanghai residents are hopeful about what the year will bring.

Gu Xiantang, Shanghai resident: I hope my friends and I can find our direction in life this year, because we are at such an age that we should be looking for some improvement or growth in our work, as well as love life.

Reporter: And according to the Chinese horoscope, children born this year will be loyal, reliable and kind, but may have a tendency to cry.