A scramble for Easter eggs at a past Eggstravaganza
Don’t put your eggs all in one basket when it comes to Easter celebrations around the DC area! Numerous places host egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, and much more spring fun this time of year. Even if you’re not big on the holiday, there are attractions and activities beyond bunnies and candy-filled eggs that will have the whole family hopping with joy. Here’s where you can find them, listed in order of start date. (And if I’ve left out any good ones, feel free to let me know in the comments.) Happy Spring!
Spring Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Ticonderoga Farm | Chantilly, VA
When: Weekends through April 8
Admission: $14.95/chid, 12.95/adult
With giant slides, awesome jumping pillows, playgrounds, animals, mazes, and more, the farm in Chantilly is a blast, and they take the fun up a notch on come spring. Along with the permanent amusement, there are egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny. Be sure to check the website for timing of specific activities. For an idea of what’s there, see this post about their Winter Festival, which is much of the same, but with Easter instead of Christmas festivities. And this post about a class field trip has info and pics, too.
Egg Hunt & Marshmallow Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: March 24-25, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult at the gate
After a long cold winter, nothing chases away the chill like a visit to the farm. Head to Great Country for the first “crop” of the spring– Marshmallow Picking! Do marshmallow peeps grow on trees? Be sure to check it out and harvest a few to roast on the bonfire with Farmer Bob. You can even purchase a s’mores kit to melt away that chocolate craving. Guests can also help find Easter Bunny eggs during egg hunts (by age – see the schedule) with over 20,000 treat-filled eggs. Plan to visit spring chicks and baby animals, check out the spring plantings in the greenhouse, take a hayride and rejoice in the new season. Don’t forget to bring your camera for photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Buy advance tickets online for only $10/adult — visit the website to purchase, and look for the schedule of events there, too.
Bunnyland
Where: Butler’s Orchard
When: March 24-25, 29-31 & April 2, 7-8
Admission: $9/child, $7/adult
One of the more popular spring festivals in the area, Butler’s has all the trappings for seasonal fun: bunnies, eggs, and other Easter-related treats to get young guests in the holiday spirit. Attractions include hayrides down the Bunny Trail, egg hunts, the Rubber Ducky Derby, giant slides, a new jumping pad, and a small petting zoo. Face painting and pony rides are also usually offered for an extra fee. Concessions are available, and there are also plenty of picnic tables if you prefer to pack a lunch.
NoVa Parks Egg Hunts
Where: Parks throughout Northern Virginia
When: Various dates
Admission: $10
Several parks in Northern Virginia are hosting all kinds of Easter fun to celebrate the holiday and the season. Easter bunny visits and photo ops, egg hunts, crafts, and more activities will be part of the festivities. Registration is required. Go here to see where and when you can jump in on the fun!
Bunny Train Ride
Where: Walkersville Southern Railroad | Walkersville, MD
When: March 24, 25, 31
Admission: $16/adult, $13/senior, $13/age 1-12
All aboard for a trip back in time with the Easter Bunny! Travel over track that the Pennsylvania Railroad originally built in 1872. See Walkersville Southern’s turn-of-the- century railroad station and tool house, then visit with the Bunny on the train (who will also give each child an Easter gift!). Ride in vintage 1920s passenger cars or on an open flatcar as your rail excursion runs past a 100-year-old lime kiln, and then out into picturesque Maryland farm country. Enjoy juice and Uncle Ralph’s cookies in the museum after your ride. Reservations Required!
Easter Egg Decorating
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange | Hyattsville, MD
When: March 24, 2pm
Admission: Free
Fun! Glitter! Eggs! The Brentwood Arts Exchange promise all three at this free family-friendly workshop. Create beautiful decorated eggs that will impress friends and even the Easter Bunny. Children will receive their first two eggs for free. Additional eggs will be available to purchase 2 for $1.
10th Annual Eggstravaganza
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: March 24 & 30, 10am – 12pm
Admission: $10/child, $8/child member, $5/adult
This is already sold out to non-members, but if you’re a member, read on… Rolling green lawns, bright spring blooms, and the elegant mansion on a hill serve as backdrop for this festive annual attraction. Join the Easter Bunny as children of all ages enjoy an Egg Hunt and thrilling Egg Roll Contest down the grand South Lawn. Crafts include paper chick “pets” and colorful butterflies, plus there will be games for all ages. Plan to take a self-guided tour of Tudor Place’s 5½ acres of glorious gardens, and be sure to bring a camera!
Easter Eggstravaganza & Wagon Rides
Where: Frying Pan Farm Park | Herndon, VA
When: March 24
Admission: $8
Hunt for eggs and visit animals outdoors at the Visitor Center. Sign up for a hunt throughout the day — they start promptly at your registered times. Add a wagon ride for only $2, and take a jaunt around the crop fields and back to the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult. Pre-registration required.
Breakfast with the Bunny
Where: Thomas Farm Community Center | Rockville, MD
When: March 24
Admission: $14-16
The bunny is making a special trip to Thomas Farm Community Center. Activities include a magic show, spring crafts, games, an opportunity to meet, greet and pose with the Bunny and an egg hunt. A light continental breakfast will be served. Bring your camera. Fee applies to each person attending.
Easter Eggstravaganzas
Where: Various locations around the DMV
When: March 24 & 31
Admission: Free
These festivals held in several neighborhoods around the area offer all kinds of Easter fun – egg hunts, Easter bunny visits, face painting, yummy treats, games, prizes, and more. They’ll take place in Northeast DC, Capitol Hill, Springfield, Gainesville, and Alexandria.
Dinosaur Egg Hunt
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center | Annandale, VA
When: March 25, 30-31
Admission: $7-9/child
Stomp over to Hidden Oaks, where children ages 2-8 can enjoy a dinosaur-themed program and outdoor egg hunt while visiting dinoland in Nature Playce and make a dino craft. Pre-registration is required. Programs run several times throughout the day for 45-minute sessions. Canceled if there is rain.
Fabergé Egg Family Festival
Where: Hillwood Estate and Gardens | Northwest DC
When: March 25
Admission: $18/adult, $5/ages 6-18, free/5 & under
Celebrate spring’s arrival in traditional Russian style! Hillwood’s annual festival has programs, music, art, and activities for all ages. Happenstance Theatre will present stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play. A favorite for all ages is the “Fabergé’s Workshop” to create a Fabergé-inspired egg. Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble takes visitors back to Old Russia as they play traditional instruments, and the Kalinka Dance Ensemble performs Russian folk dances. And centuries-old Russian springtime games like egg-rolling and egg and spoon racing will entertain children of all ages.
Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Upton Hill Park | Arlington, VA
When: March 28, 11am
Admission: $10/advance, $15/walk-up
Enjoy a fun filled afternoon with the Easter Bunny on a weekday! Activities will include coloring, games, a moon bounce, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Check-in and activities begin at 11am, and the Egg Hunt begins at 11:30am. Add on a mini-golf and food voucher for $7 more and get a great deal on lunch (pizza, chips, and choice of drink) and two hours of mini-golf from 12-2pm.
Egg Hunt Weekend
Where: Clark’s Elioak Farm | Clarkesburg, MD
When: March 30 – April 1
Admission: $6
Little ones (ages 1 to 3 and 4 to 6) will have a chance to hunt for eggs throughout the day at this Maryland Farm that looks like something out of a story book! After hunting, they get to turn the eggs in for a goodie bag. The petting farm, rides, and play areas will be open for all to enjoy, too, along with gem mining and geode cracking. Be sure to take a look at the website for a heads-up on how the egg hunts will run, so you can make the most of your day there. Read more about Clarks Elioak in the KFDC post about the best outdoor places in the area.
Egg Hunt
Where: Meadowside Mature Center | Rockville, Maryland
When: March 30
Admission: $8
Search for real eggs in our meadow, then dye and decorate the eggs you find using natural dyes. Enjoy other spring-themed activities throughout the event as well. Fun for the entire family! Don’t forget to bring a basket to collect your eggs. Reservations are required (we want to be sure we have enough eggs for all!). If sessions are full, they do not accept walk-ins.
Falls Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Cherry Hill Park | Falls Church, VA
When: March 31, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Join this annual family celebration hosted by the city’s Recreation and Parks Department. Children dressed in their spring finest can hunt for candy and special eggs in Cherry Hill Park and have their photo taken with a special guest, the Easter Bunny! BYO basket — they’ll supply the candy, fun, and happy springtime memories. In addition to scrambling for eggs and photo ops, children ages 11 and younger can participate in a make-your-own-candy-bag craft project.
13th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Stead Park | Northwest DC
When: March 31, 10:30am – 12:30p
Admission: Free
Hop to it and join Friends of Stead Park for their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt! Enjoy selfies with the Easter Bunny, crafts and snacks after your little ones have filled their baskets with eggs. BYO basket and register here.
Easter Buzz
Where: Buzz Bakeshop | Georgetown, DC
When: March 31, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $20
Go see the Easter Bunny at Buzz Bakeshop and get a photo and a surprise! Join them fun and take home a basket with a homemade chocolate Easter animal, decorated shortbread cookie, toys, candies, and eggs!
Easter Brunch
Where: Joselito | Capitol Hill, DC
When: April 1
Admission: The cost of your meal
Easter is a very special occasion in homes throughout Spain. To celebrate Easter at Joselito, they are offering their bottomless brunch menu and regular menu, as well as featuring quintessential Spanish Easter dishes as specials. They include: Potaje de vigilia – chickpeas and spinach stew with saffron, hard boiled egg garnish, Buñuelos de bacalao – codfish brandade “Spanish hush puppies,” Carré de cordero asado con patatas panaderas -roasted rack of lamb with baked potatoes and bell peppers, and Torrijas – Andalusian style bread pudding.
Easter Sunday Brunch
Where: The Ritz Carlton | Georgetown, DC
When: April 1
Admission: $105-125/adult, $40/child
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, is hosting an up-scale Easter Sunday brunch perfect for families of all ages! In addition to the gourmet brunch, they’re offering family-friendly activities, including an Easter egg hunt, Easter egg decorating, Easter movie screenings, and a visit from the Easter bunny for a fun photo opp. The hotel’s restaurant, Westend Bistro, will have an impressive menu featuring more than 10 stations, including a smoked seafood and raw bar, a full gourmet cheese and bread station and regionally-inspired dishes such as herb-roasted leg of lamb and oxtail osso bucco.
Easter Monday: A Washington Family Tradition
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: April 2, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Easter on Monday at the Zoo! Join them for special family-focused activities and live entertainment. A traditional Easter Egg Hunt and animal demonstrations as well as visits from the Easter Panda will be part of the festivities! This event will be held rain or shine.
White House Easter Egg Roll
Where: White House Lawn | Downtown DC
When: April 2
Admission: Free, tickets required
The annual White House Easter Egg Roll requires tickets won through lottery for admission. If you entered, you should have found out by now if you were “successful” in scoring them or not; but if you don’t, you can check your status on recreation.gov. Unofficial tip: I’ve heard in the past that people have been at the entrance giving away extra tickets they may have. While I can’t confirm that’s always the case, if you’re going to be in that area and really want to go, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and see if someone might have tickets for you. Note that entries are timed, so while it goes all day, guests only stay for their designated amount of time.
