Easter

Easter History

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It represents new life and is a time for believers to reflect on the story of Christ's crucifixion, as documented in the New Testament. The Observance comes with several associated traditions including church services, the sharing of meals, and engaging in charitable work.

For Canadians, the celebration of Easter dates back to the arrival of the first settlers and missionaries in the country. As Canada is a multicultural and multi-faith society, Easter observance varies greatly among individuals and communities. For devotees, Easter Sunday is regarded as one of the holiest days of the year, and attending church services is a key aspect of the celebration. There are also secular activities, like egg hunts and Easter bunny parades that are popular, especially among children.

In Canada, Easter is observed with religious reverence as well as secular enthusiasm. It often involves special church services which include Easter vigils, sunrise services, and singing of traditional hymns. Additionally, families and friends often gather for a festive meal which may include foods like ham, lamb, and, of course, chocolate eggs. Easter typically falls on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox, which can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25, this timeframe aligns with international observances of the occasion.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Easter in Canada

• The Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade in Ontario is recognized as the world's longest-running Easter parade, typically featuring a vibrant procession of vintage cars, marching bands, and community floats.
• In the town of Vegreville, Alberta, visitors can find the Vegreville Pysanka, a massive, rotating Ukrainian-style Easter egg that serves as a monument to the region's cultural heritage.
• Retail operations across the country are subject to varying provincial laws, with most businesses in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador required to remain closed on Easter Sunday under the Shops Closing Act.
• Many families in the Prairie provinces observe the holiday by baking Paska, a traditional citrus-scented bread often adorned with intricate dough braids and religious symbols.
• In certain Mennonite communities in Central Canada, the holiday is marked by the preparation of Easter Cheese, a custardy dessert that is frequently served with a drizzle of fresh, first-run maple syrup.
• While Good Friday is a statutory holiday for the majority of the country, employers in Quebec have the unique legal option to grant their staff a day off on either Good Friday or Easter Monday.
• The Easter weekend ranks as the third largest period for food consumption in Canada, following only the Christmas and Thanksgiving seasons in total retail grocery spending.
• Federal government employees and workers in federally regulated sectors, such as telecommunications and banking, receive a paid holiday on Easter Monday regardless of their provincial residence.
• Many local wildlife rescues and shelters use the weeks leading up to the holiday to launch Make Mine Chocolate campaigns, which educate the public against the impulse purchase of live rabbits as holiday gifts.
• Cultural celebrations often include the preparation of scalloped potatoes and spiral-glazed ham, which remain the most common centerpiece dishes for family gatherings across the Atlantic and Western provinces.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Easter

Top things to do in Canada 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.
• Visit Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm: Located in Ontario, it provides a treat not to be missed. It celebrates Easter with Easter Egg Hunt, horse-drawn wagon ride, face painting, and a lot more fun activities.
• Prepare dishes for Easter, such as:
  1) Maple Glazed Ham: A traditional Easter dish in Canada where the ham is glazed with maple syrup, giving it a sweet and savory flavor.
  2) Poutine: Although originally from Quebec, this dish made from fries, cheese curds, and gravy is popular all over Canada.
  3) Tourtière: A traditional French Canadian dish often served around Easter, it’s a meat pie commonly filled with pork, veal, or beef.