Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a Christian observance commemorated as the day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event that is central to Christian belief. It marks the end of the Holy Week, a period of ritual observation and reflection starting from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday. As a legal holiday in many countries, Easter Monday provides a closure to the Easter festivities. The day is unique in that, unlike Easter Sunday which has firmly established religious traditions, Easter Monday practices vary widely from country to country.

In Norway, as in many other Western countries, the modern observance of Easter Monday is rooted in religious history. However, it has also evolved into a day for relaxation and leisure. During the medieval times in Norway, Easter Monday was originally observed as a solemn remembrance of Christ's resurrection. However, over time, Norwegians began to incorporate their own cultural values into the occasion, moving gradually away from religious rituals to more secular practices. This resulted in Easter Monday developing a dual function: a day of spiritual reflection and a day for enjoyment.

In present-day Norway, Easter Monday remains a public holiday and is typically observed as a day of quiet rest after the busyness of the Easter celebrations. It is also marked by various traditional games and outdoor activities, as Norwegian families traditionally head to the mountains for "Easter skiing". Furthermore, it is the day when many in Norway consume the rest of their Easter eggs, originally a symbol of new life and resurrection. Easter Monday in Norway falls on the day after Easter Sunday which, according to the Gregorian calendar, is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox. Hence, the date of Easter Monday varies from year to year, occurring anytime between 23rd March and 26th April.