75 ways to celebrate Easter in the Tampa Bay area
Here are 75 ways you can celebrate Easter in Tampa Bay this year. The holiday falls on Sunday, March 31, this year.
Easter Egg Filling: The church needs help filling Easter eggs for the Egg My Yard fundraiser. Free. 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday (March 21). Lotz of Blessings, 1000 Lakeview Road, Clearwater. 813-347-8308.
Easter Party: Kids will enjoy a live animal petting zoo, egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and pony rides. A raffle benefits Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Free. 5 p.m. Friday (March 22). West Park Village, 9902 Brompton Drive, Tampa. 813-590-7103.
Jumping Into Easter: A 1.5-hour class covering the basics of Easter-themed sugar cookies and cookie decorating. Covers the basics of dough, icing and piping practices. $50-$90. 6-7:30 p.m. Friday (March 22). Boxer Mom Bakes, 27248 Big Sur Drive, Wesley Chapel.
Easter Egg Hunt: An Easter egg hunt with food trucks, games and a touch-a-truck featuring the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. Free. 9 a.m. Saturday (March 23). Meadowlawn Park, 6515 14th St. N., St. Petersburg.
Easter Egg Hunt: Join the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association for the second annual egg hunt. Free. 10 a.m. Saturday (March 23). Giddens Park, 5202 N. 12th St., Tampa. 813-231-5284.
Easter Bunny Hop: “Hop” through different activity stations collecting eggs along the way. Also, photos with the Easter Bunny. Free. 10-11 a.m. Saturday (March 23). Seminole Heights United Methodist Church, 6111 N. Central Ave., Tampa. 813-236-5931.
Easter Fun: Bring an Easter basket for an egg hunt with breakfast and a bounce house. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 23). New Beginnings Christian Church, 4100 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa. 813-837-3451.
Easter Bash: A community egg hunt with food, games and a chili cook-off. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Abundant Life Ministries, 1550 Belcher Road S., Largo. 727-210-5433.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Kids in preschool through fifth grade are invited to hunt for 30,000 eggs (11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.) at this festival with food, Kona Ice and giveaways. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Crossroads Community Church, 4401 58th St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-546-0990.
Easter Eggstravaganza: The Easter Bunny makes an appearance at this festival with carnival-style games, face painting, cotton candy, hot dogs and popcorn. No cover. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Eastside Baptist Church, 1318 E. Calhoun St., Plant City. 813-754-2681.
Live Easter Bunny: Bring the family to pet and take photos with Flemish Giant rabbits. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Edible Arrangements, 1336 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey. 727-478-1234.
Springfest: Kids in grades K through 12 can enjoy bounce houses, egg races, face painting and giveaways. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Slam Tampa, 7116 Gunn Highway. 813-920-8802.
Easter Bash: Bring the kids for egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, baby chicks, food, crafts and fellowship. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Hope City Church, 5513 School Road, Land O’ Lakes. 813-948-7555.
Easter Cookie Decorating: Get step-by-step instructions and four colored icing bags as you decorate six Easter-themed cookies. To-go boxes available. $45. Noon Saturday (March 23). Chuck’s Natural Fields Market, 114 N. Kings Ave., Brandon. 813-657-2555.
Easter Market: Get your picture taken with Hip Hop the bunny at this market with an Easter scavenger hunt, vendors and food trucks. No cover. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday (March 23). The Angelus, 12413 Hudson Ave., Hudson. 727-856-1775.
Easter Celebration: The community is invited to a holiday celebration for all ages. Free. 2 p.m. Saturday (March 23). Sydney First Church of God, 1432 Sydney Dover Road, Dover. 813-659-1021.
Meet the Easter Bunny: Bring the kids to meet the Easter Bunny at this egg hunt with Easter bag decorating. Free. 2:15-4:15 p.m. March 30. Weaver Park, 2750 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin. 727-734-2300.
Easter at the Harley Shop: Bring the family to the Harley shop for an egg hunt for ages 1-12, photos with the Easter Bunny and an egg-decorating contest (judged by the Easter Bunny). No cover. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday (March 24). Tampa Bay Harley-Davidson, 9841 E. Adamo Drive, Tampa. 813-797-6181.
Westchase Egg Hunt: Age-appropriate egg hunts with food, games, dodgeball and photos with the Easter Bunny. Benefits WOW Community Charities. $7-$15. 1-4 p.m. Sunday (March 24). Westchase Recreation Center, 9791 Westchase Drive, Tampa. 813-964-2948.
GCA Easter Eggstravaganza: Kids can bring a basket and hunt for eggs filled with sweet treats. The first 100 kids get a free carrot plant to take home, plant and grow. Free. 3 p.m. Sunday (March 24). Gandy Civic Association, 4207 Oklahoma Ave., Tampa.
Easter at First Presbyterian Church: First Presbyterian holds three days of celebrations. It starts with Maundy Thursday (6 p.m. March 28). Bring a covered dish for a dinner simulating the Last Supper. Good Friday (noon-3 p.m. March 29) features private meditation in the sanctuary. Easter Sunday features three services including a daybreak service on the Beach Drive patio (7:30 a.m.), a “connect service” led by the praise team in the youth center (9 a.m.) and a traditional Easter service featuring pipe organ, brass ensemble and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Free. 6 p.m. March 28, noon March 29, 7:30 and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. March 31. First Presbyterian Church St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Drive NE. 727-822-2031.
Easter at The Farm: Enjoy age-appropriate egg hunts in which everyone participating gets a goodie bag of prizes at the end. Includes a rabbit touch area, meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny and bounce houses. Pony rides $10 additional. Tickets for particular time slots and age groups must be purchased in advance. Open to ages 1-12 only. $15. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29-31. DK Farms and Gardens, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo. 727-348-0818.
Cotton Tail Special: Take a 30-minute train ride to Willow for 1.5 hours of Easter-themed activities including an egg hunt. $22-$175. Departs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. March 29-30. Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. 877-869-0800.
Underwater Egg Hunt: The Easter Bunny has dumped hundreds of eggs in the pool and needs the help of kids 5 and older to get them out. All participants get a prize after the hunt. $6, $4 spectator. Noon-3 p.m. March 29. Southwest Recreation Complex and Pool, 13120 Vonn Road, Largo. 727-518-3125.
Egg Drop: The Easter Bunny drops hundreds of eggs from the basket of a hot air balloon. $25-$65. 9-11 a.m. March 30. The Club at Cheval, 4312 Cheval Blvd., Lutz. 813-949-4231.
Seaside Easter Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast favorites with a view of the ocean, activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny. $65, $55 ages 3-12, 2 and younger free. 9-11 a.m. March 30. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater. 727-441-1790.
Easter Egg Hunt: Open to toddlers through fifth grade. Free. 10 a.m. March 30. Hopewell Baptist Church, 6001 S. County Road 39, Plant City. 813-737-3053.
Easter Egg Hunt: Bring the family for Easter crafts, holiday-themed activities and an egg hunt. Also taking place at the Bardmoor YMCA and Speer YMCA. Free. 10-11 a.m. March 30. Jim and Heather Gills YMCA, 3200 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-328-9622.
Hoppin’ Boppin’ Easter Egg Hunt: The Clearwater Public Library System and Clearwater Parks and Recreation join together for this egg hunt with games, prizes, snacks and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Free. 10 a.m.-noon March 30. Buccaneer Field, 905 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater. 727-562-4970.
“Fun in the Sun” Day: Spring-themed activities include an egg hunt for ages 8 and younger, a basket raffle, children’s activities, food and a touch a truck. Free. 10 a.m.-noon March 30. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1068.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Port Richey fire and police departments serve as special guests for this egg hunt with games, food, music and candy. Free. 10 a.m.-noon March 30. Port Richey Waterfront Park, 8119 Old Post Road.
Easter Egg Hunt: The community is invited for games, egg and cookie decorating and an egg hunt. No cover. 10 a.m.-noon March 30. Presbyterian Church of Seffner, 1906 S. Lenna Ave. 813-689-4412.
Easter Family Fun Day: A huge egg hunt with bounce houses, Easter-themed games and face painting. Free. 10 a.m.-noon March 30. Reach Church, 7100 142nd Ave. N., Largo. 727-531-3891.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Nearly 10,000 eggs filled with prizes for age-appropriate egg hunts with inflatables, yard games, three food trucks, a prayer tent and worship. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 30. Spring Hill Baptist Church, 3140 Mariner Blvd. 352-683-5685.
Easter “Egg”sperience: The church joins with the Market at Ridge for a family festival with a petting zoo, egg hunt, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and bounce houses. No cover. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30. Faith Baptist Church, 9230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. 727-847-3550.
Easter at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival: The festival closes with an “Easter Enchantment” theme. Join in for a spring weekend filled with egg hunts, bonnet parades and more. $12.95-$20.95. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 30-31. 12838 Auton Road, Dade City. 352-999-5946.
Spring Festival and Easter Egg Hunt: Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at this festival with a hunt for 15,000 eggs, a petting zoo, kids crafts and inflatables. Free. 10:30 a.m. March 30. City on a Hill Church, 4265 13th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-851-9999.
Easter Family Fun Day: Celebrate Easter with egg dyeing, inflatables, a cake walk, free food and a photo with the Easter Bunny. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 30. North Tampa Church of Christ, 3611 E. County Line Road, Lutz. 813-909-4646.
Crabby Easter: Peter Cottontail has hidden more than 150 Easter eggs filled with coupons and offers around the restaurant. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 30. The Original Crabby Bill’s, 401 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach. 727-595-4825.
Easter Eggstravaganza: Three age-appropriate egg hunts with games, food, music, door prizes, a bounce house, train ride, face painting, balloon art and photos with the Easter Bunny. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 30. Graceway Church, 3106 S. Wiggins Road, Plant City. 813-752-4879.
Easter Family Festival: Sink church leaders in the dunk tank at this festival with food trucks, games and crafts. No cover. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30. Carrollwood Baptist Church, 5395 Ehrlich Road, Tampa. 813-962-3214.
Easter Egg Hunt: The Easter Bunny has hidden eggs throughout the brewery for this hunt with Easter crafts, egg decorating (bring your own eggs), live music, food, drinks and photos with the Easter Bunny. No cover. Noon March 30. Bullfrog Creek Brewing Company, 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico. 813-703-8835.
Easter at Fellowship: Four Easter-themed worship services. Free. 6 p.m. March 30, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m. March 31. Fellowship Church, 15326 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia. 813-655-7431.
Easter Vigil: Bishop Scharf presides over the first Eucharist of Easter. Free. 7 p.m. March 30. Cathedral Church of St. Peter, 140 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-4173.
Sunrise Service: Bring blankets, chairs and a cup of coffee to join Today’s Church Tampa Bay for a worship service as the sun rises. Free. 6:30 a.m. March 31. Bay Vista Center and Park, 7000 Fourth St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-893-7124.
Easter Sunday Service: A waterside sunrise service, followed by two services in the church. Free. 7, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. March 31. St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd., St. Petersburg. 727-821-7989.
Easter Sunrise Beach Baptisms: Meet at Paradise Grille and move to Pass-a-Grille Beach where Pastor Candice Smith of City on the Hill Church will perform beachfront water baptisms. Call to register to be baptized. Free. 7 a.m. March 31. Paradise Grille, 900 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach. 727-851-9999.
Easter Sunday Celebration: A sunrise service followed by festival worship and contemporary worship. Breakfast brunch served between services. Free. 7, 9 and 10:30 a.m. March 31. Lutheran Church of the Cross, 4545 Chancellor St. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-525-8364.
Easter Sunrise Service: An interfaith service on the beach with an “Easter Changes Everything” theme. Conducted by Pastor Tracie Ashley (First United Methodist Church of Gulfport), the Rev. Kimberley Harrell (The New Thought CommUNITY of Gulfport) and Father Sam Babbish (Good Shepherd Old Catholic Church), with Jay Miah as special musical guest. Meets at Shelter 6. Free. 7-7:45 a.m. March 31. Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1068.
Easter Twelve Church: Three identical worship services with hunts for more than 10,000 eggs after the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Free. 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. March 31. Twelve Church, 6538 Ridge Road, Port Richey.
Sunrise Service: Bring your own chair to the back parking lot and watch the sun rise during a Catholic service. Two regular services follow in the church. Free. 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. March 31. Holy Family Catholic Church, 200 78th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-526-5783.
Easter Sunday Service: Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and Holy Eucharist with choir and brass at 10:15 a.m. Free. 8 and 10:15 a.m. March 31. Cathedral Church of St. Peter, 140 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-4173.
Easter at Bay Life: Celebrate the “Risen King” at one of three “Because He ... Lives”-themed services. Kids can enjoy bounce houses, Kona Ice and an Easter egg maze between services. Free. 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. March 31. Bay Life Church, 1017 N. Kingsway Road, Brandon. 813-661-3696.
Like No Other: Easter: Celebrate Easter with two worship services. Free. 9 and 11 a.m. March 31. Abundant Life Ministries, 1550 Belcher Road S., Largo. 727-210-5433.
Easter in Ybor: The church will hold services at 9, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo, pony rides, Easter baskets, food and photo spots. Free. 9, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. March 31. Relevant Church, 1704 N. 16th St., Tampa. 813-247-7000.
Easter at CFN: Free breakfast in Hope Park (9-10 a.m.), followed by a kids service (10:30 a.m.) with an egg hunt. Free. 9-11:45 a.m. March 31. Clearwater First Church of the Nazarene, 1875 Nursery Road. 727-536-1498.
Easter at City on a Hill: Two praise and worship services with special music. Coffee, juice and doughnuts follow each service. Free. 9:15 and 11 a.m. March 31. City on a Hill Church, 4265 13th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-851-9999.
Easter at River Hills: Age-appropriate worship sessions with photos with the Easter Bunny and a giant egg hunt. Free. 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 31. Riverhills Church of God, 6310 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa. 813-985-2388.
Brunch Eggstravaganza: Feast on a dine-in or takeout meal of selections including Belgian waffles, fruit bowl, egg bake, breakfast meats, shrimp and grits and salads ($22.95, $9.95 ages 9 and younger). There’s also a community egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. No cover. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 31. Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club, 5230 Delacroix Drive, Brooksville. 352-777-4334.
Today’s Church Easter Service: An Easter resurrection service featuring worship, reflection and community. Free. 10:30 a.m. March 31. Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-895-6620.
Children’s Easter Service: While adults celebrate the resurrection in the main chapel, children will get to enjoy a special “children’s church” in the Kidstart Program filled with hands-on learning and a “Resurrection Egg Hunt.” Free. 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 31. Spring Hill Baptist Church, 3140 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. 352-683-5685.
Easter for Tampa Bay: A football-style tailgate party will be held in the parking lot (7:30 a.m.) before a community church service in the stadium (10:30 a.m.) by Grace Family Church. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Free. 10:30 a.m.-noon March 31. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-358-5938.
Easter Sunday: Join Extraordinary Church for breakfast, coffee, Easter photos, a worship service, music and a glow-in-the dark egg hunt. First-time visitors get a free Maple Street Biscuit Company gift card. Free. 10:30 a.m.-noon March 31. Bloomingdale High School, 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. 863-632-1149.
He Is Risen: Interim Pastor Boe Ellis celebrates “the Lord’s Supper” at this service with special music. Free. 10:45 a.m. March 31. Manhattan Baptist Church, 4300 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa. 813-831-1951.
Easter at Grace: An Easter worship service with activities geared toward children including an egg hunt after the service. Free. 10:45 a.m. March 31. Grace Baptist Church, 114 Kingsway Road, Brandon. 813-689-7190.
Easter Picnic: Join Thanh Nien Thien Nguyen Tampa Bay at Shelter 315 for a picnic with face painting, bingo, an egg hunt, bag hop, tug-of-war, games, food and drinks. Benefits orphanages in Vietnam. No cover. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 31. Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa. 813-220-3271.
Easter Egg Hunt: Toddlers through children in second grade are invited to bring a basket and hunt for eggs in the garden. Hunt follows the 10:15 a.m. worship service. Free. 11:30 a.m. March 31. Cathedral Church of St. Peter, 140 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-822-4173.
Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt: Bring a basket for age-appropriate egg hunts with live entertainment, vendors (8 a.m.-3 p.m.), food trucks and a drink Tiki hut. Free. Noon March 31. Airport Farmer’s and Flea Market, 17375 Spring Hill Drive, Brooksville. 352-796-0268.
Easter Sunday Skate Party: Get ready to roll for Easter at this skate party with skating games, hourly meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, scavenger hunt and laser tag. Includes skate rental, one slice of pizza, one drink and five game credits. $20. 1:30-7 p.m. March 31. Skateworld of Tampa, 7510 Paula Drive. 813-884-7688.
Easter Family Day: Dress in Easter-themed attire for extra chocolates at this egg hunt with special prizes for finding golden eggs. Free. 2-5 p.m. March 31. Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida, 109 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater.
Easter Sunday Family Skate: The Easter Bunny comes for a special skate session with an egg hunt. Includes skate rental, a slice of pizza, small soda, glow necklace and 20 game credits. $20. 4-8 p.m. March 31. United Skates of America, 5121 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa. 813-876-5826.
The Thorn: “The Thorn” tells the story of God’s love for the world and the spiritual battle for all humanity. It combines dance, martial arts, aerial acrobatics, a live flogging and emotionally powerful performances. $39-$96. 7 p.m. April 25-26. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767.
