Easter vibes in KwaZulu-Natal are hard to beat

Updated March 20, 2026, 11:21 a.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

From hot cross bun wars to Easter egg hunts on the beach, Easter in KZN is unmatched.

Hot cross buns and pickled fish — File photo: iStock

The Easter holidays are around the corner, and no one is looking forward to the long weekend more than KwaZulu-Natalians.

Here's a look at just some of the things that make Easter in KZN memorable.

Hot cross bun wars

South Africans do not play when it comes to hot cross buns. When Woolworths launched its new 'milk and lemon-filled hot cross buns', it was only a matter of time before the hot cross bun wars began.

Not to be outdone, Checkers SA came through with a limited-edition triple-chocolate hot cross buns release.

Must-try fillings this Easter: Biscoff, caramel and pecan.

Mzansi had a lot to say about this year's hot cross bun fillings, but you are either Team Traditional or Team Decadent Fillings.

However, Durbanites like to switch things up a bit and fill their baskets with extra, extra spicy hot cross buns. Despite what the name suggests, they are not red chilli spicy, but cosy spicy like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Add some butter and your taste buds will be dancing.

READ: KZN locals share how they enjoy eating hot cross buns

@azzaaariia Got my in laws to try the new @Woolworths SA hot cross buns 😅🥹. Ft Ezra’s commentary 🫣🤡. #fyp #tastetest #viral #food #eating ♬ original sound - Azaria Appalsami

@m_lives_life A fav snack this Easter 🐣🥺 @Checkers South Africa #easter #hotcrossbuns #triplechocolatehotcrossbuns #cheatmeal #snack #latenight #yum #fit #fitness #healthy #healthylifestyle #gym #bestcombo #tyla @M A C D E L I N A ♬ original sound - Manisha🦩✨

Easter Weekends are for beach activities

If you live near the ocean, then you will probably end up on the beach this Easter. A beach picnic with family is great, but if you haven't tried the following, then Easter 2026 is the time to do it.

Beach volleyball with friends on the Golden Mile beaches.
Early morning beach yoga with the girls on Umhlanga Main Beach.
Easter Egg hunt for the kids on Thompson's Bay Beach.
Learn to launch and fly a kite on St Lucia Beach.
Put on a cute outfit for a mini photoshoot with your family on the Elephant Coast.

Affordable Easter eggs & chocolates

'n Boer maak 'n plan. In KZN, our plan is to make it more affordable, or should we say...geAffordable..

Over R100 for a pack of 36 milk chocolate marshmallows? R199 for a hollow gold Easter bunny? R70 for a tray of white candy-coated milk chocolate eggs with niks inside?

Not on a Durbanite's watch! Ditch the expensive Easter treats and:

Make chocolate cups with icing and throw on a few Astros, which look like mini colourful eggs.
Make a mini basket with more affordable chocolate bars/slabs. Decorate them with pastel coloured ribbons and call it an Easter basket.
Make handmade Easter cards and buy a bag of mini Lunch Bars, KitKats, Bar-Ones or Snickers bars to stick on them.

Just like Christmas, there is no need to break the bank to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.

READ: 5 Easter recipe ideas that will make your family drool