Festivals

Easter Saturday 2023: Date, History, Activities, Ways the Australia Celebration

No one knows the exact date the world began celebrating Easter, but we can all agree that it is the oldest Christian holiday known to mankind.

Easter Saturday is observed in Australia on the Saturday preceding Easter and typically occurs between March and April. This year’s event occurs on April 8. The precise date varies from year to year and is determined by the Western Christian calendar. Easter Saturday is a public holiday in the majority of Australian states and territories, excluding Tasmania and Western Australia, and forms a triumvirate with Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The background of Easter Saturday

No one knows the exact date the world began celebrating Easter, but we can all agree that it is the oldest Christian holiday known to mankind. According to historians and scholars, the festival rose to prominence in the latter half of the second century, and we have never turned back.

Given that it occurs only one day after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, religious celebrations on this day have been subdued since the early periods. People would also participate in Easter Vigils, a reference to the vigil that Jesus Christ’s adherents held after Good Friday. On this day, the majority of church services were suspended due to the period of mourning. Only baptisms were permitted, as it was believed that this ritual brought people closer to God and offered salvation to the deceased. Therefore, the Saturday before Easter was a popular day for baptisms around the globe.

Over time, Easter adopted the various customs and traditions of the countries in which it was observed. Even in Australia, where the majority of religious aspects have remained unchanged, the festival has taken on seasonal and cultural overtones. In fact, while Easter Saturday is a celebration of spring (or life) in many parts of the globe, in Australia it marks the beginning of autumn. Consequently, Australians honour harvests rather than spring. And because so many diverse cultures and people call Australia home, this event becomes a unique celebration for each segment of the Australian diaspora.

Good Friday 2023: Date, History, Oddities, How to Observe

EASTER SATURDAY ACTIVITIES

Attend a church service.

Easter Saturday services will be hosted by a number of churches and community centres in your neighbourhood. If you are so inclined, look to see if you can attend one or two services.

Go Easter egg searching

Spend a day remembering your youth. Get someone to conceal Easter eggs in your backyard or garden, and then go egg hunting with your family. As a bonus, you may keep (and eat) all the delectable Easter eggs you discover.

Spend the holiday with family and friends

Take a break from the daily routine to spend some time with family and friends. Plan a weekend getaway, staycation, or Easter Saturday brunch.

5 WAYS THE AUSTRALIA CELEBRATION DIFFERS FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD

Did you know that the Christian Church considers the term ‘Easter Saturday’ for the day before Easter to be incorrect? They prefer the term ‘Holy Saturday,’ which is the universally accepted term. (except Australia).

Easter Saturday is referred to by the same name in New South Wales and the Northern Territory, but it is referred to as “the day after Good Friday” in Queensland and South Australia, and “the Saturday before Easter Sunday” in Victoria.

Australians consider rabbits to be crop-damaging pests and have supplanted this Easter symbol with the native Australian Bilby — a small, endangered marsupial that resembles a rat.

Australia and England share the tradition of consuming hot cross buns, but the Australian version replaces the dried fruit on top with chocolate chips and cocoa powder to complement its chocolate flavour.

The Australian Rules Football season begins around the same time as these festivities, so a number of sporting events take place on Easter Saturday, with a few on Easter Monday.