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Easter

Easter is when Christians mark the time they believe Jesus rose from the dead. Today, it's also known for bunnies and decorated eggs. In 2025, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians celebrate on the same day.

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All Content on this topic

Picture of two children building a sandcastle on a beach

Picture of two children building a sandcastle on a beach

Germany's strangest laws: Why dancing can get you fined

From dance to movies to sandcastle building bans, Germany has some bizarre and often archaic regulations.

Orthodox Christians gather with lit candles around the Edicule, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, in a dim space, as seen from above

Orthodox Christians gather with lit candles around the Edicule, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, in a dim space, as seen from above

Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter's 'Holy Fire' rite

Orthodox Christians have gathered for an ancient tradition at the site where, according to tradition, Jesus was buried.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis speaks from a balcony, on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" message at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, on April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis sits out Easter Mass, but greets crowd

The 88-year-old pope is recovering from double pneumonia, which left him fighting for his life in the hospital.

hand lighting candles

hand lighting candles

How Orthodox Christians in Germany celebrate Easter

This weekend, Christians of all denominations are celebrating Easter.

Picture of a chocolate Easter bunny.

Picture of a chocolate Easter bunny.

Not just an Easter delight: Bunnies, hares and rabbits in art

Even when they're not depicted delivering treat-filled eggs, bunnies and hares are common motifs in art.

A man reenacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Hyderabad, India

A man reenacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Hyderabad, India

How the world marks Good Friday

Good Friday, an important holiday in the Christian calendar, is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world.

Rows of Lindt chocolate Easter bunnies on shelves

Rows of Lindt chocolate Easter bunnies on shelves

Fact check: Has the Easter bunny been renamed in Germany?

Some social media users in Germany are complaining that chocolate "Easter bunnies" have been renamed. But have they?

A shelf full of chocolate Easter bunnies

A shelf full of chocolate Easter bunnies

Easter chocolate prices surge amid cocoa supply crunch

Climate change, cocoa shortages and higher production costs are making chocolate more expensive this Easter.

A traditional Easter bread with a dyed red egg lies on a colorful cloth.

A traditional Easter bread with a dyed red egg lies on a colorful cloth.

What does Easter bread mean in Eastern Europe?

With chocolate and a twist, sweet bread is a must for Easter breakfast in Eastern Europe.

Euromaxx — Lifestyle Europe

Three Easter bread recipes, a bridal superstore and Augsburg adventures

Chocolate Easter bunnies being made in Hornow, Germany

Chocolate Easter bunnies being made in Hornow, Germany

Germany: High global cocoa prices hamper Easter bunny output

High global cocoa prices have put strain on the industry in the lead-up to Easter.

The brushed concrete wall outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters

The brushed concrete wall outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters

Los Angeles police investigate $30 million Easter heist

Nearly $30 million (€27.68 million) in cash was stolen out of a facility in the northern Los Angeles suburb of Sylmar.

Vatikan Petersdom 2024 | Ostern 2024 | Papst Franziskus Urbi et Orbi

Vatikan Petersdom 2024 | Ostern 2024 | Papst Franziskus Urbi et Orbi

AfricaLink on Air — 01 April 2024

Pope Francis, in Easter address, calls for Gaza ceasefire+++MONUSCO head warns of escalating violence in eastern DRC

Deutschland | Markus Söder | Ministerpräsident von Bayern

Deutschland | Markus Söder | Ministerpräsident von Bayern

Bavaria's Söder gives away Easter egg showing his face

So, what made Bavarian state premier Markus Söder's Easter giveaway egg "special," other than its "delicious" smell?

Pope Francis gestures as he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

Pope Francis gestures as he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

Vatican: Pope Francis urges peace on Easter Sunday

He called for peace in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, and for prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine.

Pope Francis waves after presiding over the Easter vigil celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Francis waves after presiding over the Easter vigil celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Francis leads Easter vigil after health concerns

Pope Francis used his homily to decry war and hatred in the world. It comes a day after he missed an Easter procession.

A colorful display made with sawdust, flowers and fruit, in Antigua, Guatemala.

A colorful display made with sawdust, flowers and fruit, in Antigua, Guatemala.

Global Easter traditions: From kite flying to chocolate bilbys

Bunnies and eggs are most often associated with Easter, but what about clay jar flinging and water dousing?

Germany's real Easter Bunnies are thriving

Brown hares are hopping across Germany's meadows in large numbers, due in part to climate change.

Pope Francis, seen here, has been battling health problems since last year

Pope Francis, seen here, has been battling health problems since last year

Pope Francis skips Good Friday procession for health reasons

It marks the second year in a row the 87-year-old has had to pull out of the Good Friday procession.

Bietigheim-Bissingen's Syrian Orthodox church seen from inside

Bietigheim-Bissingen's Syrian Orthodox church seen from inside

Germany's Aramaic Christians seek support in their church

Some 120,000 Christians in Germany speak Aramaic, thought to be the language spoken by Jesus Christ.

A mother laments over the grave of her son in Bucha, Ukraine

A mother laments over the grave of her son in Bucha, Ukraine

Soundtrack of our time: 300 years of Bach's St. John Passion

The masterpiece, an unparalleled appeal for more humanity, first premiered on Good Friday in 1724.

A fountain decorated with colored Easter eggs in Zeil am Main.

A fountain decorated with colored Easter eggs in Zeil am Main.

Germany's best-loved Easter traditions

Easter fountains, burning wheels and hidden eggs: Here are 10 of the most popular Easter traditions around Germany.

Cocoa beans

Cocoa beans

Germany: Ahead of Easter, cocoa prices hit 20-year high

Cocoa bean import prices saw a huge surge at the beginning of the year, which could affect chocolate prices.

A photo of a semla bun filled with whipped cream

A photo of a semla bun filled with whipped cream

Sweden's delicious semlor sweet buns are a Lent tradition

A Lent speciality, the semlor sweet pastry is filled with almond paste, cream and lots of calories.

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Millions clicking to watch Irish dance, tips for a day in Madrid and the Swedish pastry semla.

The pope blesses worshippers from his "Popemobile"

The pope blesses worshippers from his "Popemobile"

Pope Francis prays for Russians to see 'light of Easter'

The pope prayed for "the beloved Ukrainian people" and voiced concern about tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Sumatran tiger cub with the Easter egg

The Sumatran tiger cub with the Easter egg

Welcome to London's 'Zoo-normous Egg Hunt!'

This year, the Easter Bunny has hidden some eggs at London Zoo — much to the delight of its inhabitants.

Two people dressed as Easter Bunnies ride a green scooter

Two people dressed as Easter Bunnies ride a green scooter

Easter bunnies on tour

Dieter Melzer has been hopping around the German countryside on his vintage scooter since 1968.

People with banners, most prominently in the photo with letters 'Support peace, Stop Weapons,' march in Munich

People with banners, most prominently in the photo with letters 'Support peace, Stop Weapons,' march in Munich

Ukraine updates: Easter rallies in Germany call for peace

Meanwhile, Kyiv has said it will resume electricity exports to Europe after a six-month halt. DW rounds up the latest.

Four women stand in a row wearing the traditional sack head covering of a Holy Week float-bearer.

Four women stand in a row wearing the traditional sack head covering of a Holy Week float-bearer.

Spain's female float bearers shake up Holy Week gender roles

During Holy Week in Seville only men carry the epic procession floats. But elsewhere women have also taken on that role.

Pope Francis celebrates Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Pope Francis celebrates Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Pope Francis to skip Good Friday procession

The pontiff is recovering from bronchitis and was released from hospital late last week.

Deutschland Ostermarsch in Berlin

Deutschland Ostermarsch in Berlin

Ukraine war divides Germany's Easter peace demonstrations

Germany's anti-war movement is increasingly divided on how to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Osterbrunnen in Schechingen

Osterbrunnen in Schechingen

Religious holidays

Three important religious holidays are being observed: Easter, Passover and the holy month of Ramadan.

A person dressed as an Easter Bunny delivers children's letters to the Easter Post Office in Ostereistedt, Germany

A person dressed as an Easter Bunny delivers children's letters to the Easter Post Office in Ostereistedt, Germany

German Easter Bunny gets 70,000 letters from children

Youngsters wished for chocolate eggs, sent colorful handicraft gifts, and shared their worries with the Easter Bunny.

Südafrika Ngodwana | Coronavirus und Prostitution

Südafrika Ngodwana | Coronavirus und Prostitution

AfricaLink on Air — 06 April 2023

Benin Bronzes made of German brass+++ Sex work in Kenya+++Violence against women in South Africa+++Easter time in Africa

Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday's mass in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican

Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday's mass in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican

Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday service after hospital stay

Despite just finishing a treatment for bronchitis, the pope has led a key mass in the run-up to Easter.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to leave hospital in time for Easter mass

Pope Francis was hospitalized just weeks after his tenth anniversary as the head of the Catholic Church.

St. George's Church in Zavorychi, a village northeast of Kyiv, was destroyed by Russian shelling.

St. George's Church in Zavorychi, a village northeast of Kyiv, was destroyed by Russian shelling.

Ukraine marks Orthodox Easter in wartime

DW visited with people in a village northeast of Kyiv, who came together to build a makeshift chapel in time for Easter.

Orthodox Ukrainians celebrate Easter in Germany this weekend

Orthodox Ukrainians celebrate Easter in Germany this weekend

Ukrainian refugees in Germany mark Orthodox Easter

This weekend, Ukrainian refugees in Germany will celebrate Easter with other Orthodox Christians.

DW Sendung Euromaxx | Sorben Osterreiter

DW Sendung Euromaxx | Sorben Osterreiter

Endangered customs: Easter riding with the Sorbs

The Sorbs are trying to preserve their culture with festivities like this traditional Easter ride.

Deutschland | Coronavirus | Wegfall der Maskenpflicht

Deutschland | Coronavirus | Wegfall der Maskenpflicht

Germany and the easing of restrictions

Cautious or carefree? How are Germans responding to the easing of coronavirus restrictions?

Vatikanstadt | Ostermesse Papst Franziskus - "Urbi et Orbi"

Vatikanstadt | Ostermesse Papst Franziskus - "Urbi et Orbi"

AfricaLink on Air — 18 April 2022

Ghana's Easter picnic is back+++ Nigeria's churches regulation debate+++ Zimbabwe's COVID-19 vaccination of schoolkids

Actor Anthony Quinn on a cross in the 1961 film "Barabbas"

Actor Anthony Quinn on a cross in the 1961 film "Barabbas"

Ten biblical film classics

Bible-themed movies have ranged from cast-of-thousands epics to the arty and existential. Some are just plain silly.

Pope Francis waves from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis waves from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square

Pope condemns Ukraine War in Easter message

Pope Francis has criticized the war in Ukraine as a "cruel and senseless" conflict, and called for wider reconciliation.

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty

Beyond chocolate: The egg in art and design

The egg is much more than just a tasty Easter delight. It's played a role in art, from painting to furniture design.

Protesters in Hanover hold up banners calling for an end to the Ukraine war

Protesters in Hanover hold up banners calling for an end to the Ukraine war

German Easter marches held in shadow of Ukraine war

Thousands rallied against the war in Ukraine in German cities as part of an Easter tradition that spans decades.

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City Friday, April 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City Friday, April 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Scores injured in Israeli-Palestinian clash in Jerusalem

At least 152 people were wounded after Israeli police clashed with Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque complex.

A tree with eggs on it in the foreground and people going for a walk in Britzer Garden, Berlin.

A tree with eggs on it in the foreground and people going for a walk in Britzer Garden, Berlin.

Easter traditions in Germany

At Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Children typically hunt for Easter eggs.

View of Jerusalem

View of Jerusalem

Passover, Easter, Ramadan 2022 fall simultaneously

In a rare conjunction, three major holidays of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are occurring at the same time.

Israel's Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Israel's Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jerusalem on edge amid religious celebrations

Major holidays for Jerusalem's Jews, Christians and Muslims are being overshadowed by fresh tensions and clashes.