Easter Monday, the day after Easter Sunday, is observed as a public holiday in most European, Commonwealth, and Latin American countries. It extends the Easter celebration into a long weekend.
Easter Monday's status as a holiday traces to the medieval Catholic church, which observed Easter Week as a continuous celebration. The Reformation reduced this to two days in most Protestant countries — Sunday and Monday.
In Italy, Pasquetta ("Little Easter") is a day for picnics and outings with friends. In central and eastern Europe, Easter Monday water-throwing traditions persist (Poland's Śmigus-dyngus, Czech and Slovak pomlázka). In the UK, it's a quieter family day with continued Easter celebrations.
Leftover Easter ham, lamb, or roast. Pasquetta picnic foods in Italy: torta pasqualina, hard-boiled eggs, frittata.
Continued Easter greetings: "Buona Pasqua" · "Joyeuses Pâques".
Public holiday across most of Europe (Italy, Germany, France except Alsace, Spain except Catalonia, Poland, etc.), UK (England, Wales, NI only — Scotland doesn't observe), Australia, New Zealand, Canada (federal employees only). Combined with Good Friday this gives a 4-day weekend.
Future dates for moving holidays (Easter, Eid, Lunar New Year, Diwali, etc.) are computed and approximate; the actual public-holiday date in some countries is fixed by official decree closer to the date.
This holiday is also publicly observed in: