UAE expats reveal their favourite Easter traditions and rituals.
A homemade marzipan egg made from cashews, almonds, sugar, and a hint of rose water—warm, comforting, and a true taste of home.
This is the special touch that Dubai-based Priscilla Dorris Janarthanan, a homemaker, cook, and hair technician, brings to Easter. Her family follows a cherished routine: on Thursday, they attend the Maundy Thursday Mass at church. Good Friday is observed with a full-day fast, followed by the Passion service in the evening.
“And that’s just the beginning,” she says. “Saturday is a day of preparation at home for Easter Sunday—marinating the meat and getting everything ready for Easter lunch. That’s also when I make our Easter eggs. In the evening, we attend the Easter Vigil.”
Reflecting on their celebrations in India, she notes that they were much larger back home, but being away means not every tradition can be followed. “Still, we try our best to hold on to what matters. On Easter Sunday, we usually gather with family and friends, either visiting them or hosting at home. There’s always plenty of food, especially Goan-Portuguese dishes,” she says.
One tradition that has remained constant over the years is the Easter eggs. “They’re very close to my heart. We color the marzipan eggs in soft pastel shades and decorate them with small flowers and pearl details. It takes time and patience, but that’s what makes it meaningful. Even now, when so much else has changed, making these marzipan eggs keeps a part of home alive for us,” she says.
Keeping traditions alive across generations
The warmth of food and family resonates through homes. For people like Lianne Dsouza, it’s a connection to generations of women who have cooked, baked, and celebrated together.
“It has always been about family for us,” explains Lianne Dsouza, Head of Marketing at Alpha Nero. “I come from a long line of women who love to cook and bake, so Easter was always about homemade marzipan eggs and bunnies, traditional Goan-Portuguese sweets, and plenty of delicious food.”
Now a mother of two boys, she feels a strong need to keep the rituals alive, giving her children a sense of normalcy, togetherness, and hope for new beginnings. Their celebrations are simple but meaningful: attending church, followed by a family brunch, with the option of egg hunts and small gatherings.
Melissa Maalouf, Director of Marketing at Gates Hospitality, shares a similar sense of nostalgia. She notes that while living in Dubai encourages families to create their own traditions over time, for them, Easter remains about slowing down, spending quality time together, and making the day special for the children.
“We usually start the morning with a relaxed breakfast at home, and hot cross buns are always a must. After that, we spend time coloring eggs and then cracking them against each other. The kids love the friendly competition, and it’s become a cherished family ritual,” she says.
Later, the family heads out for an Easter brunch with relatives and friends, often including an egg hunt. A visit from the Easter Bunny is always a guaranteed hit with the children. “Beyond that, it’s really just about enjoying good food, being outdoors, and spending quality time together,” she says.
For Melissa, Easter is all about the little things: family, tradition, and creating warm memories.
Turning Easter into art
Dubai-based Mellisa Nicole hopes to bring some of her old Easter traditions from England to Dubai. This year, she plans to host a relaxed, Easter-themed painting event on Friday. “It’s designed as a cozy, welcoming space for people to unwind, be creative, and connect with both friends and family,” she says.
Finding comfort and balance
Even in uncertain times, some, like Alison Rego, are determined to embrace the ‘new normal.’ “Nothing truly prepared us for what we are all experiencing collectively,” explains Rego, Lead Enterprise Manager at Connect Group. “Yet I feel it’s important to keep things as normal as possible, for the mental health of both our children and ourselves.”
Her family has been making the most of Easter by spending time outdoors whenever possible. “Having family here has made a big difference, bringing a sense of familiarity and much-needed balance during this time,” she says.
A breakfast so good it puts everyone to sleep
A hearty breakfast remains a cherished tradition for some, and for Alison’s family, it’s a must-have. The meal typically includes a mix of meats, eggs, onions, and capsicum bell peppers—so filling and delicious that it often leaves everyone ready for a nap.
That’s Easter for Dubai-based Nishitha Rachel. “What I remember most about Easter—and what I look forward to the most—is the Easter breakfast my family makes, which can put us to sleep for hours,” she says.
Faith and reflection
For some, Easter is as much about quiet reflection as it is about celebration. Michael Saladan, drawing on his Filipino heritage, approaches the Lenten season with prayer and intention. Even with children away, maintaining connection remains central through conversations, shared values, and guiding them to uphold traditions.
He and his wife attend church activities, observe fasting, and practise Visita Iglesia, visiting as many accessible churches as possible across the UAE. Meals reflect the spirit of the season, featuring meat-free dishes such as munggo with vegetables and fish. “These traditions remind us of sacrifice, humility, and the enduring importance of faith, family, and gratitude,” he says.
Easter across cultures: Bringing Italy to Dubai
Some celebrate with the Colomba, a traditional Easter cake shaped like a dove, symbolizing peace and hope.
Anna Sartor, an Italian lawyer and founder of a legal consulting firm in the UAE, holds this tradition close to her heart. “That presence on the table is a reminder of what truly matters. Even when I’ve been far from my family, I’ve always kept this tradition alive by making my own Colomba at home. It’s a simple yet meaningful ritual, a moment that brings warmth and continuity, no matter the distance,” she says.
She also maintains other Easter customs: “Traditionally, there are hard-boiled eggs, often coloured using natural dyes or decorated by children. And, of course, no Italian Easter would ever feel complete without a chocolate Easter egg—a fun, joyful tradition that never loses its charm.”
