When you hear the word Easter, what comes to mind? Chocolate eggs? A long weekend? The Easter bunny? You're not wrong, but Easter in the United Kingdom is much more than chocolate. It's a religious story. It's centuries of tradition and it's a celebration of new life that mixes faith, history and folklore. So today we're going to explore the story behind Easter, the key dates of Easter week, and why eggs, chocolate and rabbits became part of it. Let's start at the beginning. Palm Sunday. Easter begins with Palm Sunday. This remembers the day Jesus entered Jerusalem. According to the Bible, people welcomed him by waving palm branches and placing them on the road, a sign of honour and celebration. Many believed he was the promised Messiah. In some churches across the United Kingdom, people still receive small crosses made from palm leaves. Some keep them at home. Others return them the following year to be burned. The ashes are then used for Ash Wednesday, which we'll come to a bit later. Palm Sunday sets the tone. Something important is about to happen. Maundy Thursday. Four days later comes Maundy Thursday. This day remembers the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. During that meal he shared bread and wine and asked them to remember him. That moment is why bread and wine are still central in Christian services today. The word maundi comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning command. It refers to Jesus' command to love one another as he had loved them. In Britain there is also a royal tradition called royal maundi. The monarch of the United Kingdom gives special coins to older people who have served their communities. The coins are not worth much money, but symbolically they matter. Good Friday. Then comes Good Friday. This is the day Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. According to Christian belief, he was executed by Roman authorities. The word good might sound strange here. Some historians think it once meant holy. Others believe it reflects the positive meaning Christians attach to the event. No one is completely certain. In many UK churches, Good Friday services are quiet and reflective. Easter Sunday. And then Easter Sunday. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead. This is called the resurrection. For believers, this is the centre of the entire story. It represents hope, renewal, forgiveness, and life after death. After the seriousness of Good Friday, Easter Sunday feels joyful. Churches are filled with flowers, there is music, there is celebration. Why does Easter move? Unlike Christmas, Easter does not have a fixed date. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. That means Easter Sunday can fall anywhere between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. Before Easter comes Lent, a 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday. During Lent, some Christians give up certain foods or treats as a way of practicing self-discipline and preparing spiritually for Easter. Historically, Lent involved real fasting, reducing food, avoiding rich ingredients, and simplifying daily life. The aim wasn't self-punishment but renewal. The day before Lent begins is called Shrove Tuesday, better known in the UK as Pancake Day. Traditionally, it was a time to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk and sugar before the fasting period began. Which brings us to something important. Why eggs? Eggs are powerful symbols of new life. Spring is a season of growth. Animals are born, plants grow again, days become longer and brighter. In medieval Europe, eggs were often avoided during Lent. When Lent ended, eggs were eaten or given as gifts. Today, of course, chocolate eggs are far more popular. The first mass-produced hollow chocolate Easter eggs were made by a British company in 1873. And the Easter bunny? Rabbits are associated with fertility and new life, so they became connected with the spring celebrations. Folk stories from parts of Europe told of a magical rabbit-like creature delivering eggs to children. Over time, these stories spread to the United States and the United Kingdom. Today, many children take part in Easter egg hunts searching for hidden chocolate eggs. Hot Cross Buns. Another British Easter tradition is hot cross buns, which are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. These are sweet, spiced rolls with dried fruit and a white cross on top, usually made from a simple flour and water paste baked into the bun so it stands out against the darker crust. The cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus. Holidays. Easter is also a major holiday period. Most schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have a two-week Easter break. Scotland's dates vary slightly. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in much of the UK, meaning many families spend quality time together. Where does the word Easter come from? One theory suggests it comes from Easter, a spring goddess mentioned by the 8th century monk Bede. However, historians are not completely certain, and the exact origin of the word is still debated. For some people in the United Kingdom, Easter is deeply religious. For others, it is mainly cultural. A time for family, spring, and yes, chocolate. But either way, Easter remains a story about renewal, about something new beginning. That idea has lasted for centuries, which may be why the celebration still matters today. I hope you found today's lesson useful. You can use the QR code to get your lesson notes or simply click on the link in the description. Until next time, take care and goodbye.