Think Easter celebrations are a bit dull? We hate to break it to you, but you might just be celebrating it in the wrong place… Grab your chocolate eggs and take off to these European spots – they sure know how to make a spectacle out of this springtime celebration with their quirky, long-standing traditions.

France

What do you get when you mix 15,000 eggs? A giant Easter omelette, of course! In the French town of Bessières, locals celebrate Easter Monday by cooking a massive omelette in a giant frying pan in the town square. The tradition comes from Napoleon’s army, which once stopped in the area. A local cooked them such a delicious omelette that Napoleon ordered an even bigger one to be made. Today, thousands of people gather to enjoy this egg-cellent feast together.

Meanwhile, around the country, the French indulge in chocolate Easter bells instead of eggs. This tradition comes from the belief that the church bells would fly to Rome to be blessed before ringing on Easter Sunday. Flying bells? Delivering chocolate to kids? Don’t ask us, maybe they got on a Jet2.com flight…

Spain

Spain is famous for its Samana Santa, AKA the Holy Week processions, which are some of the most visually striking Easter traditions in the world. Each Spanish region, and even city and village, has its own traditions but the celebrations are particularly important in the Andalusia region. In cities like Seville and Malaga, long parades of people dressed in hooded robes (which do look a little eerie, we admit) carry massive floats through the streets. You’d spot similar parades in other parts of the country too, but nobody recreates biblical scenes on a float like the Andalusians.

Hungary

Visiting Hungary during Easter? You might want to carry an umbrella, or better yet, a towel. On Easter Monday, Hungarians participate in an old tradition called locsolkodás (sprinkling). This involves men dousing women with water or perfume and reciting poems to them. Originally, this was meant to ensure good health for the coming year, although these days, it’s more about pure fun. Women have started to create their traditions too – in return for this ‘blessing’, they reward men with painted eggs, sweet treats or a shot of pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy).

Poland

Similarly to Hungary, Poland takes Easter Monday water fights to a whole new level! Known as Śmigus-dyngus (Wet Monday), this day is all about splashing your friends and family with water. Originally a playful ritual, where young men would sprinkle water on the women they liked, it has now turned into a full-blown water battle, with buckets, water guns and even hoses in action.

Corfu, Greece

If you happen to be in Corfu on Easter Saturday, you might think the entire town has lost its mind. Why? Because people throw clay pots out of their windows, smashing them onto the streets below. But hey, what’s a celebration in Greece without some smashing? Known as the botides, this tradition is meant to welcome spring and symbolise renewal. The loud crashing sounds are also believed to scare away evil spirits, making way for new beginnings. Some visitors of the island even collect the broken pieces to take home for good luck – how’s that for a souvenir?

Florence, Italy

Florence’s Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) is one of the most dramatic Easter traditions in Europe. Want to know more? You asked for it… A massive, antique cart filled with fireworks is pulled through the city by white bullock until it reaches the Duomo. Then, during the Easter Sunday mass, a mechanical dove is sent flying down a wire to ignite the fireworks. If all goes well and the fireworks explode perfectly, it’s believed that Florence will have a year of good fortune. Talk about celebrating Easter with a bang!