Back in the day, Easter weekend was simple and sweet: bread in the morning, a clean outfit for church, and the smell of jollof rice, fried rice, and chicken wafting from the kitchen. The rest of the day? Ludo tournaments, chin-chin snacking, maybe a knock-out game with cousins in the compound if NEPA was merciful. However these days, the Easter weekend looks a little different—okay, a lot different. While some of the classics remain (don’t even think of skipping that rice), a new generation is remixing the holiday with activities that blend tradition with trend and, yes, with content.
Because let’s face it: these days, if you didn’t post it, did it really happen?
Welcome to the new Easter weekend—where cooking still happens, but so does curated brunch, TikTok dances in agbadas, and “soft life” hangouts designed for both enjoyment and engagement.
The Kitchen Is Still the Heart—but Now It’s a Studio
Let’s start with food because nothing brings Nigerians together like it. Easter lunch is still sacred, but now, you’re just as likely to find someone balancing a ring light next to the pot of egusi as you are to find them tasting the soup. Cooking has become content. Recipes are filmed, taste tests are dramatised, and even the most chaotic kitchen moments get turned into reels with hilarious voiceovers.
Food content creators and amateur chefs alike now take advantage of the long weekend to film multiple episodes for their YouTube or TikTok channels. Easter recipes? That’s prime SEO real estate. From “How to Make Smoky Party Jollof Like a Pro” to “Easter Brunch for Under 5k,” Nigerian food content is having a moment. And we’re loving every bite of it.
Brunch Is The New Owambe
Yes, we still love our owambes, but these days, Easter weekend isn’t complete without a cute brunch outing. Whether it’s at a rooftop in Lekki, a cosy garden spot in Abuja, or a destination hotel in Port Harcourt, brunch has become an essential part of the Easter aesthetic. Think: flowy sundresses, sunglasses, soft jazz or amapiano in the background, and a carefully curated menu of pancakes, pepper soup, and cocktails with names like “Jesus Juice.”
And let’s be honest—it’s not really about the food. It’s about the vibe. It’s about saying, “I work hard, I deserve this,” and then making sure your followers know you’re living soft. The Easter brunch has officially replaced the after-church visit to Uncle Chuka’s house as the must-do of the weekend.
Content Creation is a Full-Time Activity Now
Gone are the days when Easter meant four slow days of rest. For many, it’s now the perfect window to batch-create content. Influencers, creatives, and aspiring content kings and queens use the holiday to film vlogs, update their blogs, and take advantage of everyone being online. Beauty influencers drop their “Easter Glow-Up” routines. Fashion girls post styling reels titled “What I’m Wearing for Easter Mass, Brunch, and Beach Day.” Even couples get in on it with cheesy-but-cute “Easter Bae-Cation” content.
And let’s not forget the skit makers. You can’t scroll more than ten seconds without stumbling upon an Easter Sunday-themed sketch—usually featuring an overzealous church usher or a fashionably late aunty.
The Rise of the DIY Easter Getaway
For those who want a break from the bustle, a DIY getaway is fast becoming a thing. With rising travel costs and the naira doing gymnastics, not everyone is flying to Dubai or Ghana for Easter. But trust Nigerians—we’ll make any setting feel like a five-star vacation. Some rent Airbnbs on the outskirts of town, pack a few friends, a speaker, a grill, and create their own “retreat.” Others opt for daycations at resorts with swimming pools, spas, and soft drinks in wine glasses.
The key to a great Easter staycation? Vibes, good lighting, and of course, the perfect Instagram caption: “He is risen, and so is my standard of living.”
Church, But Make It Fashion
For many, Easter is still very much a time of spiritual reflection. But even that has been reimagined through a style-forward lens. The Easter Sunday service is now the unofficial fashion show of the year. It’s not just about giving thanks—it’s also about giving looks. Men show up in freshly starched kaftans, women glide in pastel gele and dramatic sleeves, and the kids? Full-on runway ready. And once service is over, the real business begins: the photo dump.
So, What Does It All Mean?
Is this all a little extra? Maybe. But it’s also joy. It’s creative expression. It’s young Nigerians making room for their own way of celebrating—still holding onto the essence of Easter, but sprinkling in a little sparkle (and maybe a filter). Easter weekend is no longer just about what you do, it’s about how creatively you do it.
And in this economy, joy—whether cooked, clicked, or curated—is always worth celebrating.
