A Festive Easter Celebration across Canada

Photo by Ed Lincoln / Flicker

WITH UTMOST pleasure, great joy, and fanfare—it is how the Christian world celebrates Easter, the holiest, and the oldest of all of this faith’s traditions.

Pertaining to the resurrection of Christ after his death on Good Friday, Easter marks the tail end of the long cold winter and the coming of spring.

Like in many parts of the world, Canada celebrates Easter by going to church, holding Easter games and other activities, and spending time with their family and loved ones.

Festive mood

As most government and private offices, stores, and banks are closed on Easter, people flood the streets as they shop through a wide variety of Easter goods.

With state landmarks illuminated in bright and colorful lights, the mood of the streets is undeniably festive.

Time to reflect

The holy occasion is also an ideal time to reflect following the week of Lent. People across Canada celebrate Easter by attending religious services in churches and family gatherings.

Bal en Blanc in Montreal

The most anticipated event of Easter: the Bal en Blanc. It is hosted every year in Montreal, a huge rave party, attracting thousands of partygoers.

Winter Carnival in Quebec

Another major attraction: the prominent pre-Lent Winter Carnival in Quebec. The theme of the carnival depends on good snowfalls and cold weather to keep snowy ski trails in good condition and the many ice sculptures intact.

Sports such as skating, skiing and tobogganing can be enjoyed during this event. Numerous Easter plays and songs are organized in theatres and community halls across Canadian cities.

Consequently, instead of relying on the lunar based Easter celebration, the carnival date is fixed upon the last days of January and first days of February of the solar calendar.

Family Getaways across Canada

Easter is also a time to take a break from the daily grind of work and school. Canadians take this chance to organize family gatherings at various getaways which include the scenic beaches of Vancouver Island, the grand Niagara Falls, Montmorency Falls Park, and the fascinating Vitoria City.

Favorite Delicacies

In any festivity, food cannot be left out. Canadians look forward to tasting special native delicacies that include mustard-crusted lamb, maple baked beans, potatoes nicoise, cape Breton scones, apple tart and the Easter basket cake.

Easter traditions

Easter activities are also rich with Easter eggs, pussy willows, Easter lilies and Easter bunnies.

In Canada, decorating Easter eggs is a famous activity among children done both at school and at home. Traditionally, Easter egg hunts are held by community organizations. It is interesting to note, as well, that the World’s Largest Easter Egg is a product of Canada.

Trivia: the Easter egg or Ukranian “Pysanka” was constructed in 1975, in the remembrance of early Ukrainian settlements in an area east of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta.