Easter Monday 2025
Date: April 21, 2025 (Monday)
Country: Tonga Public Holidays
Description
Easter Monday in Tonga is a public holiday that continues the celebration of Easter. It is a day for people to rest, think about the meaning of Easter, and spend time with family and community.
Easter Monday always falls the day after Easter Sunday. The date changes each year because Easter is a movable holiday tied to the spring full moon. This means Easter Monday can be in March or April.
For many Tongans, Easter Monday is an important part of the Easter season that honors the Christian belief in Jesus rising from death. Tonga is a deeply Christian country, so this holiday has strong religious meaning.
The day is significant because it gives people time to reflect on faith and renewal. It also brings communities together in a shared moment of calm and remembrance after the important events of Easter Sunday.
Traditions
On Easter Monday many Tongans go back to church for lighter services and special hymns. People often greet each other warmly and wear bright, clean clothes to show respect and joy.
Families gather for large meals cooked in an umu, the earth oven. Common foods include roasted pork, root crops like taro and cassava, and coconut cream desserts. Everyone helps with cooking and sharing plates.
Kava drinking is a calm social ritual where people sit together, talk, and make offerings of respect. Music, group singing, and traditional dancing sometimes follow the meal, creating a lively community atmosphere.
Neighbors visit graves to tidy them and leave flowers. Children play games and enjoy sweets handed out by relatives, making the day both calm and festive.
Travel Tips
Many banks, government offices and some shops close or have short hours on Easter Monday. Ferries, buses and taxis can be busy. Book transport and accommodation early, carry cash because ATMs may run out, and arrive at ports early to avoid crowds.
Enjoy local events and community gatherings but be polite and ask before taking photos. Stay hydrated, use sun protection, and keep valuables secure. Follow police or traffic directions at busy sites, and consider joining a guided activity to learn respectfully and stay safe.