Easter Monday

Easter Monday is the second day of Eastertide and is celebrated as a public holiday in more than 50 countries where most people follow Christian traditions. In Western Christianity, it is part of the Octave of Easter, a special week of celebration following the main Easter day. In Eastern Christianity, Easter Monday marks the second day of Bright Week, another time of joy and festivity after Easter. This day is a time for many families and communities to continue the joyful celebrations that began on Easter Sunday.

Religious observances

Eastern Christianity

Main article: Bright Week

In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches, this day is called "Bright Monday" or "Renewal Monday". The special services are different from the rest of the year and are similar to those on Easter Sunday, including a special walk outside after the main church service. This is meant to happen every day of this special week, but often only a few days are celebrated, especially in places where these churches are not the main religion.

If an important feast day for a well-known person like Saint George or a person's own special day happens during the very holy days around Easter, that celebration is moved to Easter Monday instead.

Western Christianity

In Western Christianity, Easter Monday is the second day of the Easter season and also the second day in a special eight-day celebration called the Octave of Easter.

In the Lutheran Churches, the story told on Easter Monday is about a meeting that happened on the Road to Emmaus appearance.

National observances

Australia

In Australia, Easter Monday is a public holiday. People often enjoy outdoor sports like the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival in South Australia, the Stawell Gift in Victoria, and an Australian Football League match between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG. Since 2014, some rugby league teams have played a special Easter Monday match at Stadium Australia.

Austria

In Austria and Southern Germany, people celebrate the "Emmausgang," remembering the disciples' walk to Emmaus where Jesus appeared to them.

Belarus

In Belarus, Easter Monday is not a public holiday, and most schools and businesses stay open, but some people still celebrate it.

Canada

Easter Monday is a holiday for federal employees in Canada. It is not required by law, but many employers give employees the day off. This holiday follows Good Friday, giving workers an extra-long weekend. In Quebec, employers must give either Good Friday or Easter Monday off. Easter Weekend is the first holiday after New Year's Day in many provinces.

Central Europe

Śmigus-dyngus, or Wet Monday, is the name for Easter Monday in Poland and some other countries. Traditionally, boys and men splash water on girls and women or gently tap them with twigs to wish them health and beauty for the year ahead.

Egypt

In Egypt, people celebrate Sham Ennessim on Easter Monday. This ancient festival includes painting eggshells, eating special foods like pickled fish, and enjoying meals outdoors.

Germany

In Germany, people go out to the fields early in the morning for Easter egg races. For Roman Catholics, Easter Monday is a special day for church services.

Ghana

In Ghana, Easter Monday is a public holiday to celebrate Easter. Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are days off for many people.

Greece

In Greece, Easter Monday is an official public holiday. Schools, government offices, banks, stores, and many private businesses are closed. It is a time for families to spend together, especially for those returning from holiday travel.

Ireland

In Ireland, Easter Monday marks the anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916. Until 1966, there was a parade of veterans past the headquarters of the Irish Republican Army at the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, and a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

Italy

In Italy, Easter Monday is a public holiday called “Lunedì dell'Angelo” or “Pasquetta.” People often have family picnics in the countryside or barbecues with friends.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Easter Monday is a national public holiday. Schools often extend the weekend to Tuesday, giving students a five-day break.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, Easter Monday is a public holiday along with Good Friday. It is a time for celebration, and after these days, people return to work and children go back to school.

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, Easter Monday is an official public holiday called Vtor na Veligden. Many schools and businesses close for this religious observance.

Spain

In Spain, Easter Monday is a public holiday in several regions, including Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Navarre, the Basque Country, Cantabria, and La Rioja. In Catalonia and nearby areas, people enjoy eating a special pastry called Easter mona, often shared during family trips to the countryside.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Easter Monday is an official public holiday. Some church services are held, but there are few widespread traditions apart from visiting furniture stores for the "Second Easter Day."

United States

In the United States, Easter Monday is not a federal holiday, but some areas observe it with local traditions, such as the White House Easter egg roll. In some states and districts, schools and universities close for the day, often as part of spring break.

Dyngus Day

Traditionally Polish areas of the United States celebrate Easter Monday as Dyngus Day. Celebrations are popular in cities like Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Wyandotte and Hamtramck in Michigan, South Bend and La Porte in Indiana, and Hanover, New Hampshire.

United Kingdom

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Easter Monday is a bank holiday, and many large shops are closed. It is not an official public holiday in Scotland, but some places may observe it with reduced opening hours for shops.

South Africa

In South Africa, Easter Monday is known as Family Day and is a public holiday. After this day, people return to work and children go back to school, making it a day of rest.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, Easter Monday is a public holiday. After this day, people return to work and children go back to school, so it is a day of rest.