24 Easter events across metro Phoenix

Bunnies, bounce houses, worship services, pancake breakfasts, puppet shows and, of course, lots of eggs are part of the more than two-dozen Eastern celebrations across the Valley.

MORE:All things Easter

4/19: Easter Picnic in the Park

Christ's Church at the Crossroads invites the community to its eighth annual event at Anthem Community Park. Groups of kids 3 to 12 can hunt for more than 12,000 Easter eggs filled with small gifts, candy and tickets to exchange for prizes; a special area will be available for toddlers younger than 3. The event also will feature bounce houses, free food, face painting and a photo booth.

Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 19. 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. Free. 602-390-0862, onlineatanthem.com/event/easter-picnic-park.

4/19: Easter Eggstravaganza

Children can decorate eggs as well as hunt for them at Bill Gentry Park. There will be bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides. Hoppy the Easter Bunny will arrive on an El Mirage fire truck. Vendors will sell shaved ice, hot dogs and smoothies. Bring a camera and baskets for collecting eggs. Easter-basket prizes will be awarded to various age groups.

Details: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. 14010 N. El Mirage Road. Free admission; rides and food additional. 623-876-2978, cityofelmirage.org.

4/4-19: Easter Bunny Photos

The Easter Bunny will be posing for photos with kids and families at Westgate Entertainment District's Fountain Plaza. Free digital images will be available for download and photo packages will be available. Children will receive a gift from the Easter Bunny while supplies last. Visit the website for schedule.

Details: April 4-19. Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-385-7502, westgateaz.com/bunny.

4/19: Arrowhead Easter Bunny Photos

The Easter Bunny will be available for individual and family photos at the Center Court at Arrowhead Towne Center. Visit the website for the schedule and pricing for photo packages.

Details: Through April 19. 75th Avenue and Bell Road, Glendale. $8.99 starting price for 5-by-7 photo package. 623-979-7777, arrowheadtownecenter.com.

4/19-20: Easter Festival

Gov. Jan Brewer kicks off the Wigwam's annual Easter-egg roll at 9 a.m. Saturday. A best Easter outfit contest will follow at 9:30 with the chance to win VIP access to the egg hunt and "golden egg" prizes. From 10 a.m. to noon, kids in age groups of 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 can hunt for eggs. Bunny-hop races, miniature golf, egg decorating, crafts, face painting, balloon art, animal encounters and live entertainment are among the activities. Reserve seats for breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday or for a buffet-style brunch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Details: 8-10:30 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m.-noon festival Saturday, April 19; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. brunch Sunday. The Wigwam, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. Free festival admission. $10-$20, free for age 3 or younger for breakfast; $20-$42 for brunch. 623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com.

4/19: Egg Hunt

Kids from preschool through Grade 5 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 with children.

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19. 300 N. Old Litchfield Road. Free. 623-935-3411, churchatlitchfieldpark.org.

4/19-20: Egg Hunt

Kids can search for thousands of eggs at Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium over two days. Hunts will be held at 1:30 p.m. for age 7 or younger and at 3:30 p.m. for age 8 or older. The egg hunts are included in zoo admission. Zoo exhibits will be open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and aquarium exhibits will be open till 9 p.m. Bird feedings and wildlife encounters will be available. Food and gifts will be for sale.

Details: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20. 16501 W. Northern Ave., near Litchfield Park. $32; $15.25 for ages 3-12; free for age 2 or younger. 623-935-9453, wildlifeworld.com.

4/19: Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunts

The community event, first held in 1976, will feature hunts for candy-filled eggs for ages 1 to 10 beginning at 8:20 a.m. and one for individuals with disabilities at 11. Activities will include a petting zoo, pony and train rides, carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. Food and beverages will be sold. Food donations are requested for St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance.

Details: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave. Free admission and parking with canned-food donation; small fees for activities. 623-773-7133, peoriaaz.gov.

4/19: Surprise Spring Eggstravaganza

Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and Easter-egg hunts by age group in 20-minute intervals will begin at 10 a.m. (age 2 or younger first) and continue through 11:40 a.m., concluding with a hunt for all ages at noon. There will be face painting and clowns, and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny will be on hand.

Details: 9:30 a.m.-noon. Saturday, April 19. Kansas City Royals Practice Fields at Surprise Recreation Campus, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. Free. 623-222-2000, surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.

4/19: Apache Junction Easter Egg Hunt

The festivities at Prospector Park begin at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast on the softball fields. At 9 a.m., there will be Easter-egg hunts for ages 2 through 16 grouped by age; older kids and adults will be invited to join in the fun during the final hunt. More than 8,500 eggs will be hidden and prizes will be given to anyone who finds a special token inside. Activities will include game booths, a petting zoo, bounce houses and train rides.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. 3015 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction. $3, $1.50 for age 17 or younger for pancake breakfast; free egg hunts, petting zoo, train rides and bounce houses; small fees for game booths. 480-983-2181, ajcity.net/events.

4/19: Family Easter Celebration

Choir and dance performances will begin at 9 a.m. followed by egg "scrambles" for age 9 or younger at 10:30. Kids can hunt for eggs filled with candy, a toy, or — for one lucky winner — a golden ticket to be exchanged for a prize. Easter-bunny photos, crafts, carnival games, bounce houses and a trackless train will be among the activities. Food, beverages, vendors and a basket drawing will be featured.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. Snedigar Recreation Center & Sportsplex, 4500 S. Basha Road, Chandler. Free admission and carnival games; $3 for photos; $1-$6 for rides; $8 for unlimited wristbands. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov/special-events.

4/20: Chandler Easter Egg Hunt

Hope Covenant Church will hide more than 6,000 Easter eggs on the soccer field at Tumbleweed Park for kids to find. Eggs will contain a toy, candy or a ticket to exchange for a prize. Multiple hunts will be held 9-10 a.m., and a Tiny Tots egg-hunting area will be set aside. Doughnuts, pastries, coffee and water will be provided. An outdoor worship service will begin at 10 a.m. with a secure check-in area for children younger than 4 and an optional children's program for ages 5-12 including music, crafts and a message.

Details: 9-11 a.m. Sunday, April 20. 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler. Free. 480-899-7255, hopecov.com/easter.

4/20: Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Rawhide

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse will feature a candy corral, duck walk, shoe scramble, water-balloon toss, rides and a visit from Cowboy Cottontail (Rawhide's Easter Bunny). Egg hunts grouped by age will begin at noon for age 12 or younger. Regular Rawhide attractions will be available, including mock gunfights, stunt shows, shooting gallery, hay and burro rides, panning for gold and shopping. Reservations are recommended for the Easter buffet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 20. 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. Free; $5 to park. 480-502-5600, rawhide.com.

4/18: Dino Egg Hunt

The Arizona Museum of Natural History will host an egg hunt and discuss dinosaur eggs. There also will be crafts and a dinosaur touch cart with actual fossils. Plenty of eggs will be hidden for kids to find, with the last hunt at 7:15 p.m. The museum's exhibits also will be open. Children are asked to limit their eggs to five each.

Details: 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 18. 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. $7; $4 for ages 3-17; free for members. 480-644-2169, azmnh.org or facebook.com/azmnh1.

4/19: Mesa Easter-egg Hunt

Families with children younger than 12 are invited to Emeritus Senior Living. Kids, grouped by age, can hunt for Easter eggs filled with candy. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos.

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19. 7231 E. Broadway Road, Mesa. Free. 480-807-4700, emeritus.com.

4/19: Schnepf Farms Easter Egg-Citement

Schnepf Farms' 20th Easter event will include such attractions as a petting zoo, carousel and train rides, and egg hunts by age groups beginning at 11 a.m. Reservations are recommended by Thursday, April 17. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a 30-minute break at 11. 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, April 19. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $20; $25 including lunch and unlimited-ride wristband; free admission for parents; $3 each for rides, $12 for unlimited-ride wristband. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.

4/19: Scrambled EGGstravaganza Crafts and Games

Search for Rascal the Rabbit's hidden treats inside the visitors center at San Tan Mountain Regional Park. In order to find the bunny's treasure, participants must locate clues left along the Interpretive Trail. Activities, as well as arts and crafts, will be held after the hunt.

Details: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek. $6 per vehicle. 480-655-5554, maricopa.gov.

4/19: Paradise Valley 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, face painting and bean-bag toss 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: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 19. 6947 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Free; donations for dunk tank will benefit church missions. 480-991-6424, myvalleychurch.org.

4/19: Easter-Themed Family Painting Class

Parents and kids 5 or older can take a class together where each will create a "Hoppin Easter" painting. Families can bring snacks and drinks. Painting supplies and step-by-step instruction will be provided. Registration is required.

Details: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Pinot's Palette, 10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite D142, Phoenix. $30 per person. 480-696-7220, pinotspalette.com/paradisevalley.

4/19: 1916 Easter Rising Remembrance

A multimedia memorial featuring ballads, music and poetry will be held to commemorate the historic 1916 Easter Monday Rising and Rebellion of the Irish against British rule — a six-day uprising that would 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: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free; donations accepted. 602-258-0109, azirish.org.

4/19-20: Enchanted Island Amusement Park Egg Hunts

Enchanted Island Amusement Park offers two days of egg-hunting fun for ages 1 to 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. Thousands of colored eggs donated by Food City will be filled with surprises, including 30 grand-prize eggs filled with such prizes as all-day ride passes, season passes and free birthday parties at Enchanted Island. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20. 1202 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix. Free. 602-254-1200, enchantedisland.com/specialevents.php.

4/18: KidsPark Easter Celebration

Easter-themed art and craft projects, toys, games, puzzles and books will be available for ages 2 to 12 at this hourly child-care center. From 7 to 8 p.m., there will be bunnies and chicks for children to pet or see up-close. Snacks and drinks are included.

Details: 7:30 a.m.-midnight; bunnies and chicks available 7-8 p.m. Friday, April 18. 4848 E. Cactus Road, Suite 220, Phoenix. $25 family registration; $8 per hour, sibling discounts available. 602-788-2445, kidspark.com.

4/19: Earth Day Egg Hunt

There will be thousands of eggs filled with candy and small gifts for age 10 or younger to find at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. The annual springtime event is part of Earth Month at the center. After the hunt, there will be bird- and nest-themed arts and crafts.

Details: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 19. Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 S. Central Ave. Free. 602-468-6470, riosalado.audubon.org.

4/9-20: 'Peter Rabbit'

Music — but no words — along with hand puppets and a large-rod puppet tell Beatrix Potter's suspenseful, funny and classic story about a little rabbit that gets into Mr. McGregor's garden. Recommended for children in preschool through Grade 3. Call for reservations, which will be held till 10 minutes before showtime; no late seating.

Details: April 9-20. 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.

Ashley Whalen contributed to this report.