© iStock

Easter 2024 - Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, March 31 this year. While it is technically a celebration of Jesus's resurrection from the dead, the holiday has become incredibly commercialized and many traditions are now part of the festival.

© iStock

US traditions - The holiday is celebrated in both religious and secular ways, and includes traditions from religious services to Easter egg hunts and parades.

© iStock

Church services - Around 50% of Americans will attend an Easter service this year. In many communities, church-goers attend an outdoor sunrise service on Easter day.

© iStock

St. Patrick's Cathedral - The impressive cathedral in New York City holds one of America's most notorious Easter services. 

© Shutterstock

Easter dinner - Most families gather for an Easter dinner with the entire extended family and even friends. 

© iStock

Easter dinner - Traditional dishes include baked ham, potatoes, and vegetables.

© iStock

Poppy seed roll - The sweet, delicious Easter bread has origins in Eastern Europe, but is a popular treat on American dinner tables.

© Shutterstock

Easter egg hunt - A childhood favorite is the Easter egg hunt. Children compete to fill their baskets with as many colored eggs they can find. 

© Shutterstock

"Eggstravaganza" - Florida holds the Guinness World Record title for the biggest Easter egg hunt in the world. Thousands of participants compete to find the 500,000 eggs hidden around the town. The winner receives a full university scholarship.

© iStock

Easter candy - There are many popular Easter candies, including chocolate eggs and rabbits, jelly beans, and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs, among others.

© Shutterstock

Peeps - The famous marshmallow candy originated in Pennsylvania and can only be found in the US and Canada. They used to be made by hand and took 30 hours to create.

© Shutterstock

Easter egg dyeing - Parents decorate Easter eggs with their children as a popular holiday activity.

© iStock

Easter egg dyeing - Hard-boiled eggs are dipped in colorful dyes and decorated with other elements, including markers and stickers. 

© iStock

Easter egg dyeing - The tradition of dyeing and painting Easter eggs started in the 1700s in Pennsylvania.

© iStock

Easter Bunny - The Easter Bunny is an unmistakable symbol of the holiday, and is meant to celebrate the arrival of spring and the return of fertility.

© iStock

Easter Bunny - Children often visit malls and other locations to meet the Easter Bunny and take photos.

© Shutterstock

Easter Bunny - On the day before Easter, the Easter Bunny visits homes to hide baskets filled with treats and gifts.

© Shutterstock

Easter basket - In the morning, the excited children race to find their Easter basket and enjoy their treats. 

© Shutterstock

Easter bonnet - Another common tradition is for girls to wear a special Easter bonnet to church services.

© Shutterstock

NYC Easter Parade - An Easter parade, dating back to the 1800s, is held every year in NYC. 

© Shutterstock

NYC Easter Parade - After attending church services, people would parade down 5th Avenue in their fancy clothing. 

© Shutterstock

NYC Easter Parade - In modern days, participants wear elaborate Easter-themed costumes. 

© Shutterstock

NYC Easter Parade - It is common to see flamboyant headgear and costumes decorated with flowers. Some head pieces have even contained live birds.

© Shutterstock

NYC Easter Parade - The event also includes large, hand-crafted eggs on display in Rockefeller Center.

© Shutterstock

Union Street Easter Parade & Spring Celebration - Another popular Easter event takes place on the other side of the country, in San Francisco. 

© Shutterstock

Union Street Easter Parade & Spring Celebration - Decorated cars and costumed marchers adorn the hilly streets. 

© Shutterstock

Union Street Easter Parade & Spring Celebration - Local marching bands are also seen playing Easter music in holiday-themed costumes and decorations. 

© Shutterstock

White House Easter Egg Roll - In the early 19th century, First Lady Dolly Madison organized an annual egg roll in Washington, D.C. Children were invited to roll hard-boiled eggs down the Capitol lawn.

© Shutterstock

White House Easter Egg Roll - In 1996, President William Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton welcomed visitors to participate in the annual Egg Roll.

© Shutterstock

White House Easter Egg Roll -

In 2023, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed visitors to participate in the annual Egg Roll.

© Getty Images

Easter weddings -

A popular trend in the US is to tie the knot on Easter Sunday.

See also: 30 Midwestern recipes you need to try

© iStock