Easter

Easter History

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as narrated in the New Testament of the Bible. It is a central event in Christian theology and is considered to be the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The observe of Easter includes various liturgical customs and traditions that serve to reinforce the central message of Christ's resurrection, such as the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the proclamation of the "Alleluia".

The observance of Easter in South Africa has roots in the arrival of Christianity on the continent, mainly brought by European colonisers from the 15th century onwards. The development of a distinct South African Easter observance involves combining traditional Christian Easter practices with local customs and traditions. The Christian community in South Africa is diverse, encompassing various denominations such as Roman Catholicism, Anglican, Methodist, among others, hence, the observance of Easter holds varying significance for different groups.

In South Africa, Easter is observed with a combination of religious devotion and festive celebration. Church services are a key part of the event, with many South Africans attending special Easter Sunday mass. Often these services involve the symbolic use of candles, to signify Jesus's role as the light of the world. Additionally, communal meals and family gatherings are quite common, as is the exchange of chocolate Easter eggs, symbolizing the resurrection. Easter is a movable feast in South Africa, falling between 22 March and 25 April each year.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Easter in South Africa

• In South Africa, one of the most distinctive culinary traditions involves the preparation of pickled fish, a Cape Malay-inspired dish of fried fish preserved in a curry-based vinegar sauce that is traditionally served with hot cross buns on Good Friday.
• Many households across the country prepare this ingelegde vis days in advance, a practice rooted in historical religious observances that discouraged cooking or fishing during the sacred long weekend.
• For the year 2026, the iconic Two Oceans Marathon, often called the "world’s most beautiful marathon," has been confirmed to take place a weekend after the Easter holidays rather than its traditional Easter Saturday slot.
• The Monday following Easter Sunday is officially observed as Family Day in South Africa, a public holiday designed to encourage citizens to spend quality time with relatives or embark on short domestic getaways.
• Because the 2026 Easter weekend falls within the official autumn school holiday period for all public schools, there is an expected surge in demand for family-friendly accommodation in coastal regions like the Garden Route and the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
• Religious communities frequently participate in early morning sunrise services held at scenic outdoor locations such as beaches or mountain foothills to commemorate the theme of the Resurrection.
• The period leading up to the holiday sees a significant increase in the sale of traditional spiced buns, with South African retailers often introducing local variations like chocolate-chip hot cross buns or versions flavored with traditional spices.
• Large-scale religious gatherings, such as the annual pilgrimage of the Zion Christian Church to Moria in Limpopo, remain some of the largest spiritual convocations in the Southern Hemisphere during this time.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Easter

Top things to do in South Africa 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 National Arts Festival: This festival occurs annually in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) during the Easter Weekend. It includes exhibitions, performances, and workshops in various forms of art.
• Prepare traditional dishes for Easter, such as:
  1) Pickled Fish: This is a traditional Cape Malay Easter dish which is usually prepared days before Easter Sunday. The dish includes fish pickled in vinegar with lots of onions and various spices.
  2) Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread): Influenced by the Greek community in South Africa, this sweet brioche-like bread is traditionally made during Easter.
  3) Rabbit Pie: Given the association of rabbits with Easter, rabbit pie became popular. The pie is made with rabbit meat, vegetables, and aromatic herbs enclosed in a flaky pastry.