26 Easter events, egg hunts across metro Phoenix

Celebrate Easter, on March 27 this year, and spring at 26 events around metro Phoenix, including egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny, games and performances. So, get hopping!

3/19: El Mirage Easter Eggstravaganza

Find egg hunts for all ages in Gentry Park. The free, family-friendly event will also feature photos with the Easter bunny, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, carnival rides, music and food.

Details: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 19. 14010 N. El Mirage Rd., El Mirage. Free. 623-876-2942.​ cityofelmirage.org.

3/21: Furry friend photo night with the Easter bunny

Receive a free photo download of your dog with the Easter bunny - perfect for holiday cards, Facebook posts and embarrassing your pet.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 21. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. Free. 602-373-8212. shopdesertridge.com.

Through 3/22: 'Jack Rabbit and the Easter Basket’

Puppets tell the story of Sally Johnson, who has never gotten an Easter Basket because Lost Canyon is just too far away. The Easter Bunny asks his cousin Jack Rabbit to help. The story, a musical, is told with large rod puppets on the big stage. Call for reservations, which will be held till 10 minutes before showtime; no late seating.

Details: Through March 22. 10 a.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. $9-$10; $6-$7 for age 2 or older; free for age 1 or younger with a paying adult. 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org.

3/25: Dino Egg Hunt

The Arizona Museum of Natural History invites families to enjoy "eggs-ceptional fun" for their annual evening event. Crafts and a dinosaur touch cart with actual fossils and information about dinosaur eggs will be featured in addition to egg hunts. Kids will find plenty because the museum will replenish dino eggs until 7:15 p.m.

Details: 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, March 25. 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. $9; $5 for ages 3-17; free for members. 480-644-2169, azmnh.org.

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Through 3/26: Mesa Easter Pageant

One of the largest Easter Pageants in the world, with a cast of 480 performing on a 4-story stage and seating for 10,000. Free tours of the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center are offered before and after the pageant.

Details: 8-9:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 22-Saturday, March 26. 525 E. Main St., Mesa. Free. 480-347-7807. easterpageant.org.

3/26: Eggstravaganza in Fountain Hills

The Fountain Hills Noon Kiwanis Club will hold a pancake breakfast, along with "egg scrambles," before the main easter-egg hunt for ages 7 or younger, presented by Fountain Hills Community Services. Bring baskets to collect more than 15,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes. Don't forget your camera to capture photos with Hoppy Bunny, who will be available for hugs and pictures throughout the event. The Fountain Hills Fire Department will display firetrucks and gear, and there will be bounce houses and arts and crafts.

Details: 8-10 a.m. Saturday, March 26; the event will reschedule to April 2 if there is bad weather. 15900 E. Golden Eagle Blvd., Fountain Hills. Free. 480-816-5100, fh.az.gov.

3/26: Daisy the Bunny

Daisy Bunny will be at the Outlets at Anthem’s spring gazebo to tell stories and engage preschoolers. Bring your camera.

Details: 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Outlets at Anthem, 4250  W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. Free. 623-465-9500.

3/26: The Wigwam’s Easter Egg-stravaganza

The Easter bunny will have breakfast with friends 8-11 a.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to noon,  kids will be able to enjoy fun games, a petting zoo, egg coloring, live music, face painting, an egg hunt, an Easter parade fashion contest and more.

Details: Saturday, March 26. 8-11 a.m. breakfast; 9 a.m.-noon festivities. 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. Free festival admission. $15-$25, free for age 3 or younger for breakfast. 623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com.

3/26: Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunts

The annual egg hunt will host kids ages 1 to 10 to scamper through the Peoria Sports Complex in search of candy-filled 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, March 26. Peoria Centennial Plaza, 9875 N. 85th Ave. Free admission and parking with canned-food donation; small fees for some activities. 623-773-7137, peoriaaz.gov/specialevents.

3/26: Bunny Business

Valley Presbyterian Church offers the community Easter egg hunts by age group, from preschool to high-school youth. A photo booth, bounce house, dunk tank, rock wall and face painting are among the activities. Such snacks as popcorn and carrots with ranch dip will be provided, and there will be music and crafts. Bring a basket to collect eggs and your camera for photos with the Easter Bunny. Park at the church and then head to the field at Kiva Elementary School, adjacent to the church.

Details: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26. 6911 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. Free; donations for dunk tank will benefit church missions. 480-991-6424, myvalleychurch.org.

3/26: Family Easter Celebration in Chandler

Egg-hunting fun is back at Chandler's Snedigar Sportsplex. "Egg scrambles" for ages 9 and younger start at 10:30 a.m. on four fields by age group, 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.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 26. 4500 S. Basha Road. Free admissio; $9 for unlimited-ride and game wristbands; $1-$5 attractions. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov/special-events.

3/26: Helicopter egg drop

Living Word Bible Church presents a helicopter egg drop in Mesa for toddlers through Grade 5 kids to enjoy. This free family event will also have food available for purchase.

Details: 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, March 26. 3520 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. Free. 480-964-4463. livingwordonline.com.

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3/26: Jambo! Amusement Park's egg hunt

This free hunt invites kids ages 2-8 to find 1,500 eggs filled with candy, toy and unlimited-rides wristbands throughout the indoor amusement park.

Details: 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 26. 12046 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Free. 602-274-4653. jambopark.com.

3/26: 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 11:40 a.m., concluding with a hunt for all ages at 9:40. 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, March 26. Surprise Stadium, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free; fees for some activities. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.

3/26: EGGstravaganza Egg Hunt in Queen Creek

Search for Rascal the Rabbit's hidden treats inside the visitors center at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. Egg hunts are staggered by age (starting with 4 and under) every 30 minutes.

Details: 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26. 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek. $6 per vehicle. 480-655-5554, maricopa.gov/parks.

3/26: 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 30-minute break at 11:30. An optional lunch of a beef hot dog, chips, drink and cookie is available beginning at 11 a.m.. Bring your camera and baskets for egg collecting.

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 26. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $20; $25 including lunch; free admission for parents; $3 each for rides, $12 for unlimited-ride wristband. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com/event/easter-egg-citement.

3/26: Easter Rising Remembrance

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. Tea and soda bread will be sold, and a cash bar will be available.

Details: Starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 26. Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free; donations accepted. 602-258-0109, azirish.org.

3/26-27: Egg Hunt at Wildlife World Zoo

Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium lets kids search for thousands of eggs over two days. Hunts will be held at 1:30 p.m. for ages 7 and younger and 3:30 p.m. for all ages. Egg hunts are included with admission to the zoo. Exhibits will be open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Aquarium exhibits will be open until 9 p.m. Bird feedings, wildlife encounters and a new zip-line ride will be available. Food and gifts will be for sale.

Details: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27. 16501 W. Northern Ave., near Litchfield Park. $37; $16 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 or younger. 623-935-9453, wildlifeworld.com.

3/26-27: 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 age-appropriate 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.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27. 1202 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix. Free. 602-254-1200, enchantedisland.com/specialevents.php.

3/26: Egg Hunt in Litchfield Park

Kids 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, March 26. 300 N. Old Litchfield Road. Free. 623-935-3411, churchatlitchfieldpark.org.

3/27: Easter egg hunt in north Scottsdale

Children ages 3-12 are invited to join North Scottsdale United Methodist Church for storytelling, crafts, snacks and an Easter egg hunt during the 10 a.m. service in the fellowship hall.

Details: 10 a.m. Sunday, March 27. 11735 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Free. 480-948-0529. nsumc.com.

3/27: Chandler Easter Egg Hunt

Hope Covenant Church will hide more than 10,000 Easter eggs for kids to find on the soccer field at Tumbleweed Park. An all-ages hunt will be held 9-10 a.m. Breakfast will be provided. An outdoor worship service will begin at 10 a.m. with a secure check-in area for children younger than 5. Children 5 or older can attend worship with their families.

Details: 9-11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27. 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler. Free. 480-899-7255, hopecov.com/easter.

3/27: Rawhide Easter Egg-Stravaganza

At this family-friendly Western theme park, kids age 12 or younger can hunt for eggs (well, pick them up, really) from Cowboy Cottontail. Also featured are a candy corral, water-balloon 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, March 27. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. Free; $5 to park. 480-502-5600, rawhide.com.

3/27: Easter Eggstravaganza in Scottsdale

Coolwater Christian Church invites families to attend a 9:30 a.m. worship service and then stay to hunt for Easter eggs hidden around the 8-acre property at 10:30 a.m.

Details: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27. 28181 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. Free. 602-684-9179, coolwaterchurch.org.

3/27: Easter hike on Camelback Mountain

Join the Easter bunny as she hikes Echo Canyon trail head on Camelback Mountain. Discover Easter eggs with treats inside on the trail while enjoying the beautiful views. Reservations are required by March 21. Participants will meet at the Crave Café patio by 7:45 a.m.

Details: 8-11 a.m. Sunday, March 27. Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia, 4949 E Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. $30. 480-627-3200. omnihotels.com.

Wendy Killeen, Kerry Lengel and Ashley Whalen contributed to this list.