Easter Sunday

Easter History

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. In Australia, like elsewhere, this solemn and joyous occasion is marked with church services, family gatherings, and various traditional customs. Additionally, Easter has also developed a secular aspect that includes activities such as the Easter Bunny and egg hunts, enjoyed by many Australians irrespective of their religious affiliations.

While Christians in Australia observe Easter in accordance with the Western Christian calendar, the occasion has a unique history in the country. Initially brought by British settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the observance has evolved to reflect the diverse multicultural character of modern Australia. Today, Easter can mean different things to different communities across Australia, from the deeply religious to the celebratory social, and serves as a reflection of the nation’s cultural diversity.

In Australia, Easter is typically observed over a four-day long weekend, starting from Good Friday and concluding on Easter Monday - both are public holidays nationwide. Church services form an important part of the observance, with many attending sunrise services on Easter Sunday. Social events that are particularly popular include Easter egg hunts and the Sydney Royal Easter Show, a two-week-long annual event featuring agricultural competitions, animal shows, shopping, and entertainment. Easter typically falls between 22 March and 25 April each year.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Easter Sunday in Australia

• The Sydney Royal Easter Show is scheduled to run from 2 April to 13 April 2026 at the Sydney Olympic Park, featuring major new attractions such as the Human Cannonball performance by David "The Bullet" Smith and the equine spectacle Imagine a Horse.
• The year 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of the Easter Bilby initiative, which was first spearheaded in 1991 by the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia to promote the conservation of native marsupials over the invasive rabbit.
• Strict retail trading regulations across most Australian states mean that major supermarkets and department stores will be required by law to remain closed on Good Friday, which falls on 3 April in 2026.
• Travel experts anticipate a significant rise in slow travel for the 2026 holiday period, with Australians increasingly seeking "glow-up" regional destinations such as those in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales and the Sapphire Coast.
• Many workers in Australia are expected to utilize a strategic leave tactic by taking three days of annual leave between Easter Monday and the ANZAC Day weekend to secure a continuous 10-day break.
• Long-range climate outlooks from the Bureau of Meteorology indicate that much of Australia is likely to experience unusually warm maximum temperatures throughout April 2026, particularly in the eastern and western regions.
• Proceeds from the sale of chocolate bilbies by major confectioners like Haigh's Chocolates and Pink Lady will continue to support the Save the Bilby Fund, helping to protect the endangered species from feral predators.
• The 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show program includes a nightly Tribute to Banjo and high-energy motocross stunts at the ENGIE Stadium, culminating in a traditional fireworks finale each evening.
• While the Easter Bunny remains a global icon, Australian families often incorporate native-themed creative works into their celebrations, such as the children's book Burra Nimu, the Easter Bilby by Jeni Bright.
• In South Australia, 2026 will be one of the first years where all four days of the Easter period are officially recognized as public holidays following recent legislative changes.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Easter Sunday

Top things to do in Australia for Easter

• Go to a children's Easter egg hunt or hold one of your own. Many churches have them the Saturday before Easter too.
• Cook an Easter dinner for family and friends. Traditional entrees include lamb or ham. During Lent (period leading up to Easter), many Roman Catholics exclude meat from their diet, so Easter is often indulgent on meat.
• Attend the Sydney Easter Parade: It started in 1999 and every year it brings together people from different backgrounds to celebrate the joyful occasion.
• Prepare traditional meals for Easter, such as:
  1) Roast Lamb: Roasted lamb is a traditional Easter dish in Australia. This often includes ingredients like garlic, rosemary, and olive oil.
  2) Strathdon Blue Cheese and Spinach Tart: This tart, featuring a tangy blue cheese, spinach, and fresh herbs, is a popular Easter dish in Australia.
  3) Easter Bilby Cake: Instead of the Easter Bunny, Australia has the Easter Bilby—the endangered marsupial counterpart. Thus, the Easter Bilby often becomes a cake in the form of a bilby.