Easter Celebrations in Utah: A Blend of Traditions

Christians across Utah are currently celebrating the Easter season, a time traditionally associated with both religious significance and secular customs. A recent poll indicates a changing landscape in how Utah residents plan to observe the holiday.

Shifting Perspectives on Easter Observance

While Christmas is often linked to symbols like Santa Claus and decorated trees, Easter frequently evokes images of the Easter Bunny and colorful eggs. However, Utah faith leaders emphasize that the core of the Easter season remains rooted in religious observance.

Community and Reflection

Carole Drake, a member of the St. George Catholic Church, describes a busy period leading up to Easter, including youth services and an interfaith walk in St. George. Following Sunday services, Drake’s celebration transitions to a more personal experience: “There’s joy in being together with everybody in the community and then the other element of a relaxed joy, enjoying what we’ve just celebrated and looking forward to the days ahead,” Drake said. “It all comes together beautifully.”

Poll Reveals a “Both/And” Approach

A recent poll conducted by the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics reveals that Utahns are increasingly integrating religious, secular, and family traditions. The poll projects that in 2026, 21% of Utahns will celebrate Easter primarily as a religious holiday.

Data on Easter Celebrations

The data suggests this isn’t a decline in faith, but rather an adoption of a “both/and” approach to the holiday. Specifically, 34% of adults plan to celebrate with a mix of religious and secular traditions, while 32% intend to celebrate as a secular/family holiday. 13% of respondents indicated they do not celebrate Easter at all.

Generational Differences

The poll also highlighted a generational divide in Easter celebrations. Only 14% of those aged 18-34 are planning a primarily religious observance, compared to 36% of Utahns aged 65 and older.

Denominational Approaches

Different Christian denominations reported varying approaches to the holiday. Among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 32% are celebrating primarily in religious terms, while 46% are opting for a combination of religious and secular traditions. Similarly, 31% of those with non-Protestant or Catholic beliefs plan a religious celebration, with the remainder leaning towards a combined approach.