HIPPETY-HOP HERE WE GO
Family celebrations abound across the Valley
The time for chocolate bunnies, painted eggs and celebrating with family and friends is upon us. Hop to one of these Valley Easter- or spring-themed celebrations for holiday fun.
Easter is Sunday, April 16, and there are a bunch of ways to celebrate the holiday and the arrival of spring at events around metro Phoenix, including egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny, games and performances.
So, get hopping!
Through April 16: ‘Peter Rabbit’
This timeless tale of Peter trying to get out of the farmer’s garden will be told entirely with music and puppets, no words. Showtimes will be 10 a.m. Wednesday and Fridays, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Details: Through Sunday, April 16. $7 for kids over age 2, $10 for adults, under 2 are free. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org.
April 15: Aqua-Tots Spring and Easter Carnival
The swim school’s all-ages party features meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny, goodie bags, refreshments, open swim and games and a chance to win a free month of lessons.
Details: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Aqua Tots Surprise, 13833 W. Bell Road, Suite 104, Surprise. Free. www.aqua-tots.com.
April 15: The Wigwam’s Easter Egg-stravaganza
Kids can enjoy the Easter Bunny, egg roll races, interactive games, egg dying, live music, face painting, trivia and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 15. 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. Free festival admission. 623-9353811, wigwamarizona.com.
April 15-16: Easter Bunny at Butterfly Wonderland
The Easter Bunny will be visiting Butterfly Wonderland this year. Guests are invited to dress their best and take pictures. Photo packages and pricing will be available. After your shoot, check out the venue’s regular exhibits, which include thousands of butterflies and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 15-Sunday, April 16. Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale. $19.95; $17.95 for students, age 62 or older and military; $11.95 for ages 3-11; free for 2 or younger. 480-800-3000, www.butterflywonderland.com.
April 15: Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt
The annual egg hunt will host kids ages 1 to 10 as they search for candyfilled eggs. Hunts by age group lasting 20-25 minutes each will begin at 8:20 a.m., concluding with a hunt at 11 for disabled individuals who can enter with ease thanks to new accessibility ramps. Activities will include a petting zoo, pony and train rides, carnival games, bounce houses, crafts and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. Food donations are requested for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
Details: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 15. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave, Peoria. Free admission and parking with canned-food donation; fees for some activities. 623-773-7137, peoriaaz.gov/specialevents.
April 15: Bunny Business
Join Easter egg hunts by age group, from preschool to high-school youths. A games and a dunk tank are among the activities, and snacks will be provided. Bring a basket to collect eggs and your camera for photos with the Easter Bunny. Park at Valley Presbyterian Church and then head to the field at Kiva Elementary School.
Details: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15. 6911 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. Free; donations for dunk tank will benefit church missions. 480-991-6424, myvalleychurch.org.
April 15: Family Easter Celebration in Chandler
“Egg scrambles” for ages 9 and younger start at 10:30 a.m. on four fields by age group, with each starting line marked with a feather flag. A candy or toy is inside every egg, and some will contain a golden ticket to exchange for a prize. There will be dance performances, a coloring contest, carnival games, crafts and face painting. Easter Bunny photos and food vendors will be available, and you can enter for the chance to win an Easter basket.This a cash-only event.
Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 15. Snedigar Sportsplex, 4500 S. Basha Road. Free admission; $9 for unlimitedride and game wristbands; $1-$5 attractions. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov/special-events.
April 15: Spring Eggstravaganza in Surprise
Easter-egg hunts by age group in 20-minute intervals will begin at 8 a.m. (ages 2 or younger first) and will continue through 9:40 a.m., when there will be an all-ages hunt. There will be bounce houses, face painting and clowns, and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny will be on hand.
Details: 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, April 15. Surprise Stadium, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free; fees for some activities. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.
April 15: Easter Egg-Citement at Schnepf Farms
Reservations are recommended by March 20. Registration and train rides will begin at 9, and at 9:30, such attractions as a petting zoo, carousel, bouncing pillows, train and hay rides and cookie decorating will be available. Egg hunts by age group will begin at 11 a.m. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a 45-minute break at 11. An optional lunch of a beef hot dog, chips, drink and cookie is available. Bring your camera and baskets.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 15. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $20; $25 including lunch; $3 admission for parents or $10 to include ride wristband. 480-987-3100, schnepf farms.com/event/easter-egg-citement.
April 15-16: Wildlife World Zoo Easter Egg Hunt
Have some wild Easter fun with an egg hunt at the West Valley Zoo. Kids ages 7 and under can hunt beginning at 1:30 p.m., with another hunt for kids of all ages at 3:30 p.m. on both days. The hunts are free with regular zoo admission.
Details: 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. SaturdaySunday, April 15-16. Wildlife World Zoo, 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park. $39.99 adults, $19.99 kids ages 3-12, free ages 2 and under. 623-9359453, www.wildlifeworld.com.
April 15: 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration
A multimedia memorial featuring ballads, music and poetry will be held to commemorate the 1916 Easter rebellion of the Irish against British rule — a six-day uprising that would years later lead to Irish independence. The proclamation of the Irish Republic will be read.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15. Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free; donations accepted. 602-258-0109, azirish.org.
April 15-16: Egg Hunts at Enchanted Island
Enchanted Island Amusement Park offers two days of egg-hunting fun for ages 1-10. Bring baskets and arrive early to register and get kids an ageappropriate stamp. Hunts will be held by age group in 15-minute intervals. Eggs will be filled with surprises, including 40 grand-prize eggs filled with treats such as all-day ride passes, season passes and free birthday parties at Enchanted Island. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Make sure to bring your own basket.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. SaturdaySunday, April 15-16. 1202 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix. Free. 602-254-1200, enchantedisland.com/ specialevents.php.
Infants through fifth-graders will find plenty of eggs at this annual event at the Church at Litchfield Park. There also will be singing, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15. 300 N. Old Litchfield Road. Free. 623935-3411, churchatlitchfieldpark.org.
April 16: Rawhide Easter Egg-Stravaganza
At this family-friendly Western theme park, kids ages 12 or younger can hunt for eggs (well, pick them up, really) from Cowboy Cottontail. Also featured are a candy corral, waterballoon toss and rides, plus regular Rawhide attractions: mock gunfights, stunt shows, shooting gallery, train and burro rides, gold-panning and shopping. Reservations are recommended for the Easter buffet, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 16. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. Free; $5 to park. 480-5025600, rawhide.com.
April 16: Easter at the park
Enjoy pancakes and a carnival with games, inflatables and face painting leading up to the Easter service at 10:30 a.m. from Discovery Community Church. An Easter egg hunt grouped by age will follow, as well as changes to win tickets to an Arizona Diamondbacks game, the Phoenix Zoo and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 16. Discovery Park, 2214 E Pecos Rd, Gilbert. Free. discoverycc.org.
April 16: ‘Egg-cellent’ Easter Celebration
Check out a larger-than-life Easter egg with a real Bunny, a petting zoo, live music and brunch at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Brunch is $90 for adults or $100 with champagne, $42.50 for ages 6-12 and complimentary for kids 5 and under.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 16. 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale. 480-444-1234, ext. 8650, www.scottsdale.regency.hyatt.com.
April 16: Easter Eggstravaganza at First Presbyterian Church
There will be three worship services: 6 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with an egg hunt at 10:30. Don’t forget your basket. Sunday school will follow the egg hunt; preschool and elementary students can enjoy crafts, a movie and snacks.
Details: 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16. First Presbyterian Church, 161 N. Mesa Dr., Mesa. Free. 480-964-8606, www.fpcmesa.org.
April 16: Old Fashioned Easter at Maricopa County Fair
Remember Easters of yore with an outdoor church service at 11 a.m., followed by free pictures with the Easter Bunny, kids’ egg hunts and a scavenger hunt for adults with a chance to win $3,000. Fair attractions and the carnival will open at noon. Families are invited to the picnic area for lunch or dinner.
Details: 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. Free admission before noon; otherwise $9; free for age 7 or younger; $8 per vehicle for parking. maricopacountyfair.org.
April 16: Egg hunt
North Scottsdale United Methodist Church will have Easter services at 6, 8:30 and 10 a.m., with a 10 a.m. egg hunt on the playground. Activities and crafts will be available for kids during service.
Details: 6 a.m. Sunday, April 16. North Scottsdale United Methodist Church, 11735 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Free. 480-948-0529, www.nsumc.com.