Spring bursts into bloom alongside Easter joy in Wales! This year, escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in Welsh Easter traditions that weave faith, folklore and the beauty of the Welsh countryside into a truly unique experience.
Pre-Easter: Flowers, Reflection and a Touch of Chocolate
Easter festivities in Wales begin with Palm Sunday, known as ‘Sul y Blodau’ (Flowering Sunday). Visit a church service and witness the vibrant displays of daffodils, a national symbol, honouring renewal. On this day, families traditionally tend to loved ones’ graves, adorning them with colourful spring blooms.
Good Friday: A Day of Reverence and Reflection
Good Friday, ‘Dydd Gwener y Groglith’ in Welsh, is observed with quiet reflection. Many churches hold special services, including the poignant Stations of the Cross reenactment. Traditional fish dishes still grace tables carrying on an ancient tradition of fish on Fridays to pay respect to Jesus’s sacrifice.
Unique Traditions: From Egg Clapping to Sunrise Hikes
A fascinating, bygone custom was ‘egg-clapping’. Children visited farms, collecting eggs in a display of community spirit. Today, youngsters carry on the spirit with wooden ‘egg clappers’, receiving chocolate treats instead!
Easter Monday, ‘Llun y Pasg,’ dawns in many places with a truly Welsh tradition – the sunrise hike. Ascend a local hill or mountain before dawn to witness the sun’s glorious rise, symbolising renewal and hope. In Llangollen, legend has it that villagers performed three celebratory somersaults on top of Dinas Bran!
Easter Services: Open Doors to All
Easter Sunday services across Wales welcome visitors. Immerse yourself in the uplifting atmosphere and witness the tradition of ‘clapping the resurrection’ at the Easter Day Dawn vigil at St. Peter’s Church, Carmarthen. This joyful practice celebrates Jesus’s return with a resounding applause. Or visit one of Wales’s beautiful Cathedrals to celebrate Easter. Keep reading for a list of Easter Sunday Cathedral services.
Beyond Traditions: Explore Wales’s Easter Charm
Complement your Easter experience with delightful day trips. Explore historic castles adorned with spring flowers, embark on scenic hikes amidst blooming landscapes, or indulge in a traditional Welsh Easter lunch at a cosy pub.
This Easter, embrace the rich tapestry of Welsh traditions and ignite your spirit with the beauty of springtime in Wales.
Cathedral Services for Easter in Wales
Cathedrals play a special role in Easter celebrations in Wales. Throughout Holy Week, Welsh cathedrals host special services and vigils which take worshippers through reflective Maundy Thursday to the sombre Good Friday before the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday. Worshippers gather as a community of faith to reflect on the story of Easter and the promise of new life.
Easter services at The Church in Wales Cathedrals:
- Bangor Cathedral 2024 Holy Week Observances and Easter Services
- Brecon Cathedral Easter Programme 2024
- Llandaff Cathedral Lent, Holy Week & Easter 2024
- Newport Cathedral Holy Week & Eastertide 2024
- St Asaph Cathedral Lent, Holy Week & Easter 2024
- St David’s Cathedral 2024 Easter Services
Easter services at Roman Catholic Cathedrals in Wales:
- Cardiff Cathedral Holy Week & Easter 2024
- Menevia Cathedral St Joseph’s, Swansea Holy Week & Easter 2024
- St Mary’s Cathedral, Wrexham Easter 2024
Easter in Wales
Easter is a time of great significance in Wales, and the traditions associated with this holiday reflect the country’s rich history and culture. From the solemnity of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday, Welsh people come together to celebrate the period and to reflect upon its meaning. Why not join them this year?
