Easter in Germany: Traditions, Facts and Customs
In this post I am exploring Easter in Germany, the traditions, facts and customs of this amazing holiday. Since the religious majority in Germany is Christian, this festival is duly celebrated here.
What is Easter?
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 40-day fasting period since Ash Wednesday ends with Easter. In the old Germanic word “eastron” means dawn and is probably the origin of the word “Ostern” (Easter).
When is Easter celebrated?
The festival takes place in March or April every year. Because the festival always takes place on the Sunday after the first full moon in spring, Easter falls on a different weekend each year.
For many, Easter begins on Maundy Thursday, the day of the last supper. A lot of green vegetables used to be eaten on this day, with which the healing effect for the whole year was absorbed.
This is followed by Good Friday (the day of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross). This is one of the most important holidays in Christianity. No meat is eaten in Christianity on this day.
Holy Saturday follows, and finally Easter Sunday (resurrection of Jesus Christ). Easter Sunday is the highest holiday in the church year.
Easter Customs in Germany
At Easter, the living rooms and gardens are decorated with many colorful things, preferably painted eggs, Easter bunnies and branches.
This is a custom that was considered a pre-Christian symbol of fertility. The eggs are often self-decorated. For this, chicken eggs are blown out or boiled. They are colored with food coloring, for example, or they are painted with viscous paints.
At Easter there is a lot of chocolate and sweets that were avoided during Lent. Since the Germans no longer take fasting so seriously, only a few go without anything. Most often it is chocolate, cigarettes or alcohol.
A traditional Easter pastry is the Easter braid. This is a large cake made from yeast dough that is enough for the whole family and friends.
Easter in Germany
Another tradition is the “Easter Egg Hide” which is especially fun for the children.
The Easter eggs or Easter nests are, of course, hidden by the Easter bunny throughout the apartment or in the garden and must be found by the little ones. Small surprises often await the children.
In many cultures, eggs are considered a symbol of life. The rabbit was already considered a symbol of fertility in the old Germanic.
Easter Markets in Germany
At Easter there are many beautiful markets in Germany where you can spend your time well. Here you will find an overview of the best Easter markets throughout Germany.
Easter in Baden-Württemberg
Easter market at Rimsingen Castle in Breisach-Oberrimsingen
Rimsingen Castle in Breisach-Oberrimsingen invites you to the 4th Gourmet Market in 2023. Connoisseurs get their money’s worth here, because visitors can look forward to an exquisite range of culinary specialties. The palette ranges from unusual types of sausage and cheese from home and abroad to high-quality oils, salts and herbs to brandies, distillates, liqueurs and whisky, gin from small distilleries. In addition, artisans with “beautiful things” complement the offer at this special market. “The Restaurant for Celebrations” by cook Uta Kanzler takes care of the physical well-being of the visitors.
Location: Rimsingen Castle in the district of Oberrimsingen 79206 Breisach am Rhein
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter market in Güglingen
The Easter market in Güglingen is the second of a total of four grocers’ markets over the course of the year. The hawkers set up their stands along Marktstrasse. As befits such a grocer’s market, the range is varied and ranges from everyday items to textiles and toys to all sorts of odds and ends. Food stands should not be missing. The Güglingen grocers’ markets can look back on centuries of tradition. The Easter market in Güglingen always takes place on the Tuesday before Palm Sunday.
Location: Marktstrasse 74363 Güglingen
Opening hours: Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter market The Yellow Egg in Pforzheim
The Easter market “Das Gelbe vom Ei” in Pforzheim is a professional art market. Around 55 professional exhibitors show their work in the Kulturhaus Osterfeld, with the range of offers going far beyond Easter. As part of a hands-on campaign, visitors can learn how to design Easter eggs professionally. A musical program and a competition for the benefit of people in need round off this Easter market. The art market always takes place on the weekend before Easter.
Location: Kulturhaus Osterfeld, 75172 Pforzheim
Opening hours: Saturday from 2pm to 6pm
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter in Bavaria
Easter Egg Contest in Lalling
The “Easter egg competition” is an old Bavarian custom that is maintained by the traditional costume association in the Lallinger Winkel. Every year on Easter Monday after the service, the Lallinger traditional costumers meet for a cozy musical Easter pint at which the “Eierbeckeln” is presented and performed. Also present is the German Mostkönigin with her princesses, who, together with the Trachtler board, start the “Easter egg competition”. Folk music and singing is performed until noon, at 1 p.m. is the traditional “EmOUT” – Easter walk, where the children can still find Easter bunnies and Easter eggs.
Place: Gasthaus Zacher 94551 Lalling
Spring festival in Ostheim in front of the Rhön
The idyllic health resort of Ostheim in front of the Rhön in Lower Franconia invites you to the spring festival in the center and in the commercial area “Auf der Bündt”. Music and stalls are offered to visitors. The Ostheim retailers are taking part in the Spring Festival with a Sunday shop. In many shops, a bouquet of flowers awaits visitors at the Spring Festival. Local companies present themselves in the commercial area and offer activities for the whole family. The opening of the Easter egg exhibition in the Museum Lebendige Kirchenburg also belongs to the Spring Festival. The Ostheim gastronomy takes care of the physical well-being of the guests.
Location: city center and commercial area 97645 Ostheim before the Rhön
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m
Kruegel market in Amberg
The Krügelmarkt in Amberg will take place for the 32nd time in 2020. Numerous artisans present their pottery in spring and invite you to take a leisurely stroll. Of course, visitors can also purchase these exhibits. The Krügelmarkt is rounded off with Sunday shopping in the city centre. The Krügelmarkt in Amberg always takes place on the last weekend in April.
Place: Malteserplatz 92224 Amberg
Opening times: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter in Berlin
Easter Knight Festival at the citadel in Berlin-Spandau
In the heart of Berlin, in the Spandau district, there will be a big festival at the medieval fortress in 2023: the 16th Easter Knights’ Festival at the citadel in Berlin-Spandau. In addition to the historic market with music, jugglers and fire-eaters, dance, fakirs and theatre, knight tournaments on horseback and on the ground will take place again. The knight’s camp also offers interesting points of view from that time. For the palate of the common people there are many delicacies such as flatbread and all kinds of sweets. Visitors let themselves be carried away into a medieval world and experience lasting impressions of a bygone era. A visit to the old tower and the exhibitions of the citadel (except for the bat cellar) are already included in the “road toll” for visitors.
Location: Zitadelle Spandau 13599 Berlin Spandau
Opening hours: Saturday to Easter Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
Easter Monday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
Entrance fee at the box office:
Adults 14 euros
Pupils, students and robes 11 euros
Children and young people from 6 to 16 years 7 euros
Children up to 5 years and knights in full armor free
Family (two adults and their own children up to 16 years) 33 euros
Handicraft Easter market at Karl-August-Platz in Berlin
Berlin-Charlottenburg finally has its own Easter market. On the Sunday before Easter, Karl-August-Platz is transformed into a handicraft Easter market. Artists and artisans show their exhibits here. The range of exhibitors is diverse and ranges from suppliers from the fields of painting and graphics to wood turning and glass art to fabric design and felting. Unusual things can also be purchased. A stroll through the arts and crafts Easter market on Karl-August-Platz in Berlin marks the start of spring.
Place: Karl-August-Platz 10627 Berlin Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
Opening hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Egg days at Späth in Berlin-Treptow
This year, the Späthsche tree nurseries in Berlin-Treptow are starting the new season with the “Egg Days”. From the weekend before Easter to Easter Saturday, “Easter eggs” overtake plants. An Easter egg painter from the Sabrodt Easter Egg Museum, dressed in original Wendish costume, introduces children and adults to the Sorbian tradition of painting eggs. If you want, you can try the popular wax bossing technique yourself (material costs apply). A sales exhibition with Easter egg collectibles and rarities rounds off the Egg Days at Späth. And that’s not all, because spring has long since arrived in the tree nursery. Spring flowers but also ornamental cherries, almond trees and magnolias are in full bloom. The first flowers of the large tulip variety show “300 tulip varieties from all over the world” are also showing. All this motivates you to take a look at the plant sales. And finally, the “Späthi’s” beer garden will open on Good Friday. In addition to barley juice, grilled dishes and a sophisticated garden kitchen are also served here. On the Easter weekend, of course, “Späth’s – das Gasthaus” also opens every day.
Location: Späthsche Nursery (Berlin Baumschulenweg)
12437 Berlin Treptow-Köpenick
Opening hours:
Paint Easter eggs in the Sorbian tradition from April 1st to 8th
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m
Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
“Späthi’s” beer garden from Good Friday
Good Friday to Easter Monday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m
“Späth’s – the inn”
Monday and Tuesday rest day
Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m
Easter Monday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m
Plant sale of the Späthsche tree nurseries
Good Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Holy Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday closed
Hofladen Späth
Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Good Friday only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday closed
Easter in Brandenburg
Easter at the Schwerzkoer Mühle in Neuzelle
Easter at the Schwerzkoer Mühle in Neuzelle will be very varied. At the start of the season, visitors can look forward to a show sawing at the historic saw gate. On Good Friday, the Dorchetal fish soup will be served again. On Easter Saturday there are activities in the mill shop and in the mill hermitage. A culinary highlight is the Easter lamb on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Fresh sheet cake and homemade eggnog are offered every day.
Location: Schwerzkoer Mühle in the district of Schwerzko 15898 Neuzelle
Opening hours: Good Friday to Easter Monday from 11 a.m
Easter Sunday with family in Burg (Spreewald)
In Burg (Spreewald) the festival “Easter Sunday in the family” is celebrated at Easter. There is an Easter program for the whole family with musical entertainment. The children can look forward to a visit from the Easter Bunny. Crafting Easter presents is also on the agenda. Gastronomy stands round off the offer for “Easter Sunday in the family” in Burg (Spreewald).
Location: Festplatz 03096 Burg (Spreewald)
Opening hours: Easter Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m
Easter market in the Stern Center Potsdam
Every year at Easter, the Easter market in the Stern Center in Potsdam welcomes its visitors and invites them to take a stroll through the shopping center. The bright and colorful Easter decorations with huge Easter bunnies and Easter eggs are impressive. From Easter presents to Easter greeting cards, Easter arrangements to sweet treats, you can buy everything here that belongs to a traditional Easter celebration. And if you don’t really know what to put in your Easter basket, a Stern Center voucher is the right choice. Of course, the Easter bunny is out and about in the Stern Center handing out sweets. If you want, you can also have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny
Location: Stern Center 1-10
14480 Potsdam
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m
Closed Sunday and Good Friday
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Easter in Bremen
Easter meadow in Bremen
Around Easter, the Bürgerweide is transformed into the Bremen Easter Meadow for a good two weeks. Almost 200 rides and amusement booths provide variety for young and old on the 50,000 square meter site. The children are particularly looking forward to the Easter bunny handing out sweets. On two evenings there will be fireworks and the sky will shine with many colorful lights. The physical well-being of the visitors is well taken care of with savory and sweet delicacies.
Place: Bürgerweide 28215 Bremen
Opening times: daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m
Closed on Good Friday
Spring and Easter market in Bremerhaven Fish Station
The Fischbahnhof Bremerhaven invites you to a spring and Easter market. The exhibitors mainly show lovingly handcrafted unique items. The palette ranges from hand-painted goose eggs and Easter wreaths made of boxwood to patchwork cushions and silk paintings to ceramics and woodwork. The Rieger nursery rounds off the range with spring and Easter decorations. You can also find one or the other Easter gift at the spring and Easter market in the Fischbahnhof Bremerhaven.
Location: in the Fischbahnhof (Am Schaufenster 6) 27572 Bremerhaven
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Easter market in Bremen
The Easter Market in Bremen, which takes place in the Lloydhof, in the center of Bremen, is a small but great Easter market. There are many colorful Easter items, such as rabbits made of fabric, Easter eggs and other beautiful decorations suitable for Easter and spring.
Place: Lloydhof, in the center 28001 Bremen
Easter in Hamburg
Craft market in the Eidelstedt Center in Hamburg
At the arts and crafts market in the Eidelstedt Center in Hamburg you can expect not only a wide and creative range of arts and crafts and hobby artists but also seasonal decorations on the themes of spring and Easter. The range of products offered by the dealers who have traveled here ranges from Tiffany to woodwork, doll clothes, candle making, porcelain painting, cross-stitch work, serviette technology, silk flowers to watercolor painting and ceramics. The restaurateurs located in the center take care of the physical well-being of the guests of the arts and crafts market in the Eidelstedt Center in Hamburg, which is worth a trip in any weather thanks to the roofing of the center.
Location: Eidelstedt Center 22523 Hamburg Eimsbüttel
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Spring and Easter market in Wandsbek
The spring and Easter market in Wandsbek invites you to take a stroll on the Wandsbek market square. The focus of the market is on handicrafts and various Easter items. Offers for fun and games for kids round off the Easter market. There is also a large residents’ flea market on Wandsbeker Marktstrasse. In addition, the Wandsbek retailers are taking part in the Spring Market with a Sunday shop.
Location: Wandsbeker Marktplatz 22041 Hamburg Wandsbek
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter fire in Hamburg-Hummelsbüttel
An Easter fire will also be blazing in Hamburg-Hummelsbüttel on Saturday. From 4 p.m. everyone meets at the Hummelsbüttel fairground on Hummelsbüttler Hauptstraße. The spectacle begins at around 5.30 p.m. with a “small” Easter bonfire for the children. From 8 p.m., things really get heated up, because that’s when the “big” Easter fire blazes and drives out the winter. If you want, you can hand in suitable fuel such as tree cuttings or similar for the Easter bonfire on the same day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Hummelsbüttel fairground on Hummelsbüttler Hauptstraße 22339 Hamburg Wandsbek
Opening hours: Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m
Easter in Hesse
Easter market in Hessenpark in Neu-Anspach
The Easter market in the Hessenpark open-air museum in Neu-Anspach also offers a special experience for all visitors this year. With around 80 exhibitors and craftsmen, there is a wide range of products to get you in the mood for spring and the upcoming Easter season. The colorful market offers, among other things, classic Easter eggs in different variants, unusual spring decorations, whitework, linen work, garden accessories and wooden art. The physical well-being is taken care of with delicious specialties from the Hessenpark gastronomy and from various snack stands. There is also a highlight for the children: Around 2,500 Easter eggs are hidden in Hessenpark and the children have to find them. A visit to the Easter market in the Hessenpark open-air museum is a great experience for the whole family.
Location: Market square of the open-air museum, 61267 Neu-Anspach
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Spring Festival in Wiesbaden
Shortly after Easter, it’s time for the Spring Festival at Elsässer Platz in Wiesbaden. The focus here is on the rides and amusement booths of the showmen. The offer ranges from classics such as bumper cars and swing boats to high-tech rides, canning and lottery booths. Of course, the snack stands should not be missing at the Wiesbaden Spring Festival. In addition to bratwurst and spit roast as well as tarte flambée and crepes, typical fair treats such as roasted almonds, popcorn or cotton candy should not be missing. Traditionally, Monday is family day with reduced prices. The spring festival in Wiesbaden always takes place from the first Friday after Easter to the following Monday.
Place: Elsässer Platz 65195 Wiesbaden
Opening times: Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 11pm
Sunday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m
Monday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m
Spring awakening in Wolfhagen
The Wolfhager service community invites you to spring awakening in Wolfhagen. To get in the mood for spring, the local retailers invite you to a shopping Sunday in the city center and thus show a colorful mixture of their current offers. So nothing stands in the way of a leisurely shopping spree in Wolfhagen. The food trucks on the market square, which also open on Saturdays, take care of the culinary well-being of the visitors.
Location: Wolfhagen city center 34466 Wolfhagen
Opening times: Sunday from 12pm to 6pm
Food trucks: Saturday from 12pm to 9pm
Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m
Easter in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Easter and flower market in Greifswald
The Easter and flower market on the market square of the university and Hanseatic city of Greifswald will take place for the 29th time in 2023. Around 70 exhibitors are an essential part of the spring market. Florists from Greifswald and the surrounding area will transform a 400 square meter exhibition area into a sea of flowers. Fresh flowers, early bloomers and planted bowls are the big hits here. Around 30 artisans will also display their exhibits. The palette ranges from ceramics and wicker to felt and wool products through to lovingly designed Easter eggs using the wax Bossier technique. Culinary specialties round off the offer at the Easter and flower market in Greifswald. The entertainment program for adults and children’s entertainment including a handicraft street for the younger visitors are also fixed components. Gastronomy stands with specialties from the charcoal grill, home cooking and other delicacies take care of the physical well-being of the guests. The Greifswald Easter and Flower Market takes place every year on Easter Saturday.
Location: Marktplatz 17489 Greifswald
Opening times: Holy Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Spring fair in Neubrandenburg
Always around the beginning of spring, the spring fair in Neubrandenburg is the first major open-air event of the year. Numerous market traders offer an assortment adapted to the season. Showmen with fairground rides and amusement stalls as well as food stands complete the offer at the spring fair in Neubrandenburg.
Location: Marktplatz 17033 Neubrandenburg
Easter market in Wismar
The Easter market in Wismar will also take place this year at and in the market hall at the old port. At the arts and crafts market, visitors can expect great offers and all sorts of interesting things as well as surprises related to Easter and spring. Among them you will definitely find one or the other small gift for the upcoming Easter. Children can develop their creativity here with Easter handicrafts. Of course, the physical well-being of visitors is also taken care of at the Easter market in Wismar.
Location: market hall at the old port 23966 Wismar
Opening times: Friday from 12pm to 6pm
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Easter in Lower Saxony
Hobby and art market in Weyhausen
The hobby and art market in the village community center in Weyhausen always opens three weeks before Easter. Around 25 artisans and hobby artists who have traveled to the exhibition show their exhibits here and also offer them for sale. The palette ranges from spring and Easter decorations for the home and garden to small gift ideas for the upcoming Easter festival. For the physical well-being of visitors to the hobby and art market in Weyhausen, a hearty snack bar and coffee shop are available.
Location: Village community center in Weyhausen (before the village 6) 38554 Weyhausen
Opening hours: Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Artisan market in Osnabrück
More than 150 exhibitors from both Germany and the Netherlands are expected at the arts and crafts market in Osnabrück in the Gartlage hall. Seasonal decorations such as Easter decorations and floristry are also the focus this year. In addition, craftsmen such as glassblowers, chair weavers, wood turners and even a walking stick carver will show their work. When selecting exhibitors, the organizer attaches great importance to unique items, but mass-produced goods are not permitted. Of course, the physical well-being of visitors to the arts and crafts market in Osnabrück is also taken care of. Visitors repeatedly praise the free visitor parking spaces and the wide aisles in the Gartlage hall at ground level. Childcare is even organized for parents with children.
Location: in the Gartlage hall, 49074 Osnabrück
Opening hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter exhibition of hobby artists in Osnabrück
At the Easter exhibition of hobby artists in Osnabrück, around 60 hobby artists from the region present their products and works of art in the Lerchenstraße community center. The palette ranges from hand-painted quail eggs and chickens made of fabric to patchwork work, lamps made from ostrich eggs, jewelery and woodwork to Easter decorations for tables and windows. For the physical well-being at the Easter exhibition of hobby artists in Osnabrück, lunch, coffee and cake, pastries and eggnog are well taken care of.
Location: Community Center Lerchenstraße 49088 Osnabrück
Opening hours: Saturday from 2pm to 6pm
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Easter in North Rhine-Westphalia
Craft market in Emsdetten
Shortly before Easter, the Opel Elmer car dealership in Emsdetten invites you to an arts and crafts market. Under the organization of the event office Grawe + Osterbrink GbR, around 60 exhibitors again accept this invitation. The offer ranges from decorative items for the house and garden to individual ceramics, handmade jewelery and unusual fashion design. Sufficient free parking spaces are available for visitors directly in front of the hall.
Location: Autohaus Opel Elmer, Elbersstraße 23, 48282 Emsdetten
Opening hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Spring festival in Olsberg
The Spring Festival in Olsberg heralds spring in Olsberg. You can browse to your heart’s content at street stalls and in the shops that are open (Sunday shopping). Here visitors can marvel at and buy the latest spring fashion and much more. Children’s amusement and creative stands round off the offer of this pre-Easter event.
Location: Innenstadt 59903 Olsberg
Spring market in Lage
The Ziegler town of Lage in the Lippe district (North Rhine-Westphalia) is once again organizing the annual spring market. As always, the center of Lagen around the spacious market square is the scene of the action. The three great days at the beginning of the calendar spring are a traditional event for the whole family. Of course, the rides and amusement booths of the showmen are part of the spring market. On Saturday and Sunday, a junk and flea market in the Obere Bergstraße area completes the event. The people of Lagen take part in the spring market with a Sunday shopping. The shops will be decorated for spring according to the occasion and the new collections will be waiting for the visitors. The whole city and many guests from outside are in the mood for spring and enjoy themselves at the fair and the spring market in Lage.
Location: Lagenser Innenstadt 32791 Lage
