What is Easter Monday?

Easter Monday is the day immediately following Easter Sunday and extends the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It has been observed since the earliest centuries of Christianity and is recognised as a public holiday in most of Europe, the Commonwealth, and many countries in Latin America and Africa.

In many Catholic traditions Easter Monday is associated with the "Emmaus walk" — the gospel account of two disciples who met the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. In Poland the day is marked by Śmigus-dyngus (Wet Monday), a tradition of splashing water on friends and family. In the UK, fun fairs and outdoor gatherings are common.

Together with Good Friday, Easter Monday creates a four-day long weekend in most countries that observe it, making the Easter break one of the most significant holiday periods of the year for workers and families across Europe and the Commonwealth.