If you are looking for something new and exciting to do over the Easter break this year, you might like to consider one of these Easter celebrations in Europe which are fun for all the family.
No matter which one of our crossings you decide to sail on, you will find great things to do in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands over the Easter weekend.
Easter celebrations in France
Easter in France is full of fun due to the traditions that are carried out here each year. Kids will love joining Easter egg hunts which are held across the country, and one of the best ones is located just outside of Paris in the gardens of the Vaux-le-Vicomte castle. As well as finding small chocolate eggs, one lucky child will discover a metre tall chocolate squirrel!
The whole family will love wandering around France’s Easter markets, many of which are held in the Alsace region, and combine music, art, and local produce which you can buy and take home with you. The Alsace region is especially festive at Easter as its occupants are the only people in France who don’t have to work on Good Friday.
For something truly unique, go to the commune of Bessières in southwestern France where they make a 15,000 egg omelette every Easter Monday. Created by 40 cooks in a 4 metre round pan, the omelette is made to remember the day that Napoleon and his army stayed nearby and ordered that the townspeople made an omelette that would feed them all.
Easter celebrations in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is the perfect place to spend Easter if you love food, because you’ll be able to take part in an extended brunch on Easter Sunday, and sometimes into Easter Monday, just like the locals. Feast on a spread including eggs, rolls, cheese, ham, butter shaped like spring lambs, and Paasbrood, a bread filled with a marzipan paste and tied with a yellow bow, making it one of the most delicious Easter celebrations in Europe.
One of the top traditions in the Netherlands is painting eggs at Easter, and this is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Once they have been painted, the eggs are then placed in windows and on Easter tables, plus small eggs will be hung from willow branches along with bows and other ornaments.
Like France, the Netherlands also host Easter markets and events across the Easter weekend. One of the biggest festivals is Paaspop in Schijndel, a music festival that welcomes loads of great bands to play music to crowds of around 15,000 people.
Easter celebrations in Belgium
You’ll find it difficult to discover Easter chocolate that tastes better than the options that are available in Belgium, with chocolate eggs filled with everything from hazelnut to marzipan, you’ll want to try them all. There are Easter egg hunts held in parks and museums across the country, making it one of the most fun places to take part in Easter celebrations in Europe, so rest assured that the kids won’t need to share your chocolate!
When you’re not eating chocolate, you might like to visit one of Belgium’s most celebrated Easter parades, Cavelcade de Herve. This parade is led by horses, and around 50,000 people head to this part of Wallonia to see the procession each year. Combining old and new traditions, music, sports, and clowns, this parade ends with a wonderful display of fireworks that is sure to amaze you.
If you visit Belgium around Easter time you will also find that there are a number of spring festivals taking place which offer plenty to see and do. One of the most popular spring festivals, SpringTij, is held in Ostend and boasts treasure hunts, cooking activities, water sports, a book fair, and a number of art exhibitions too.
With so many great Easter celebrations in Europe to discover, book your ferry crossing with us today and start planning a trip full of fun.
