Easter — April 20 this year — is the holiest day on the Christian calendar.
The celebration of Easter is the culmination of Holy Week which began on April 13 with Palm Sunday.
Depending on an individual church’s tradition, its congregation may hold services each day after Palm Sunday including Maundy/Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil on Saturday.
Christians are observing Jesus’ crucifixion and death on April 18 at Good Friday services.
For Christians, Easter stands for Jesus’ triumph over death, and for those who follow his teachings, his resurrection means a promise of eternal life.
Local communities have planned numerous events for Easter, including Spring Egg Hunts designed to celebrate the holiday in a festive environment.
Here’s a roundup of some of the exciting egg hunt events scheduled for April 19:
The Spring Egg Hunt at Northridge Recreation Center will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event includes crafts, games, and jumpers. Egg hunts will be organized by age: ages 5 and younger at 11 a.m.; ages 6-8 at 11:30 a.m.; and ages 9-12 at noon.
The Northridge Recreation Center is located at 18300 Lemarsh St. For more information, call 818-349-7341.
A Spring Egg Hunt at Reseda Recreation Center is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring crafts, games, and a moon bounce. This takes place at 18411 Victory Blvd., Reseda. Contact 818-881-3882 for more details.
Additionally, Valley Plaza Recreation Center will host an event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including arts and crafts, as well as games at 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood. For more information, call 818-765-5885.
Sunland Recreation Center is holding a Spring Eggstravaganza themed around “Trolls,” featuring games and a moon bounce from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The egg hunts are scheduled as follows: ages 3 and younger at 12:30 p.m.; ages 4-5 at 1 p.m.; ages 6-7 at 1:30; ages 8-12 at 2 p.m.; and ages 13 and up at 2:30 p.m.
Children are advised to bring a basket, and refreshments are available for purchase at the bake sale and snack shop. This event takes place at 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland, with additional inquiries directed to 818-352-5282.
The Spring Egg Hunt at Van Nuys Recreation Center will offer arts and crafts and games from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Egg hunts will be divided by age: ages 4 and younger at 11:30 a.m.; ages 5-8 at noon; ages 9-12 at 12:30 p.m.; and ages 13 and up at 1 p.m. Children need to bring their baskets. Location: 14301 Vanowen St., Van Nuys. Call 818-756-8131 for more information.
For those looking for more egg hunts, make sure to check out the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks’ event listing for additional options on April 19.
Area-wide celebrations include the Eggstraordinary Spring Celebration City of San Gabriel, starting at 7 a.m. on April 19. This event features a pancake breakfast, pancake race at 9 a.m. for ages 7-16 (bring your own pancake turner/spatula), and an egg hunt at 10 a.m. for children 12 and younger.
The pancake breakfast is $8 per plate or $30 for four plates, and the event will take place at Smith Park, 232 W. Broadway, San Gabriel. For more details, call 626-308-2875 or visit www.sangabrielcity.com/1404/Eggstraordinary-Spring-Celebration.
In Gardena, families are invited to the Hoppin’ Bunny Breakfast on April 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
This event promises an exciting day of breakfast, crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny, also featuring a children’s Easter Egg Hunt for kids 12 years and younger.
The cost is $10 for ages 2 and up when purchased in advance; $12 day of the event (if available). Children under 2 can attend free without a meal.
The Nakaoka Community Center is located at 1670 W. 162nd St., Gardena. For more information, call 310-217-9537 or visit cityofgardena.org/events.
Belmont Heights Community Association is hosting an Egg Hunt in the Heights from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on April 19.
The event will be held at the Red Car Greenbelt, where organizers have partnered with the Port of Long Beach to scatter more than 4,000 treasure-filled eggs throughout the park. Attendees will have the opportunity to take a picture with Belmont the Bunny and socialize with neighbors. The event is free to attend, and more details can be found at www.mybelmontheights.org/.
In El Segundo, the Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza and Camp Expo will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on April 19.
Guests can meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy egg-hunting festivities, and check out the Camp Expo for summer camp offerings. The event is free to attend and will be held at Recreation Park, 401 Sheldon St., El Segundo. Call 310-524-2700 for more information.
In Gardena again, the Eggstravaganza Bonanza promises egg-citing games, crafty creations, sweet treats, and much more from 10 a.m. to noon on April 19 at Rowley Park, 13220 S. Van Ness Ave. The event is free to participate in.
The City of Santa Clarita will be hosting an Eggstravaganza on April 19 with an “egg scramble” for children ages 1-10.
The scramble is timed by age groups and fields at Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita. The schedule is as follows: ages 1-3 at 10:15 a.m. (must be accompanied by a parent) at field 5; ages 6-7 at 10:15 a.m. at field 6; ages 4-5 at 11 a.m. at field 5; and ages 8-10 at 11 a.m. at field 6. For special needs children, the event will occur from 10 a.m. to noon in a designated area.
Organizers recommend arriving near the correct field for your child’s age group. In addition to the egg scramble, there will be a springtime craft activity, games, and a photo opportunity with Mr. E. Bunny available from 10 a.m. to noon. Admission is free; however, participants are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the Santa Clarita Food Pantry. You can drop off items at the food pantry’s booth during the event.
The Giant Easter Egg Hunt at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs until noon on April 19.
This event will feature live music and a greeting and prayer by the Rev. Gregory Barth followed by age-divided egg hunts, appropriate for up to grade 5.
Participants should bring a bag or basket for egg collection. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 8520 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka. Call 818-341-3460 or visit www.our-redeemer.org for more information.
Another unique event to check out is the Underwater Eggstravaganza in El Segundo, scheduled from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on April 19.
Attendees can dive into some fun, catch floating eggs, enjoy music, and participate in candy and prize giveaways. The cost ranges from $5 to $11, and registration in advance is required due to limited space. This event will be held at the El Segundo Wiseburn Aquatic Center, located at 2240 E. Grand Ave., El Segundo. Contact 310-524-2300 for more information.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, Terranea Resort will host Easter Egg Hunts, egg decorating, egg spoon races, and a visit from the Easter Bunny starting at 10 a.m.
Families are encouraged to join in on the festivities and can enjoy brunch at the various eateries within the resort. Terranea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes. For further details, call 310-494-7891 or visit terranea.com.
St. Peter’s By The Sea will hold an Easter service at 10 a.m. on April 20, followed by an Easter egg hunt. The church is situated at 6410 Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes. More information can be accessed at stpeterspres.org/easter/.
In addition to egg hunts, many churches are also offering special Easter services this year. Here’s a list of some Easter services scheduled for various dates:
On April 18, Shepherd Church will have Easter services at 7 p.m., and additional services at 4 and 6 p.m. on April 19; followed by services at 9 and 11 a.m. on April 20. Check the website for dates and services in Agua Dulce, North Hills, Simi Valley, and Woodland Hills. The church is located at 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. For more information, call 818-831-9333 or visit www.facebook.com/shepherdchurch and theshepherd.org.
April 20 will feature a number of additional services such as the Church of the Good Shepherd’s Sunrise service at 6 a.m. in their courtyard, in addition to a 10 a.m. service held inside the church. Their location is 400 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. To get in touch, call 626-447-2181 or visit cgsum.org.
For those interested in more options, the Forest Lawn locations are also hosting Easter Sunrise services, all starting at 6 a.m.:
Forest Lawn – Covina Hills at the Mausoleum of Christian Heritage Forecourt, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina;
Forest Lawn – Glendale at the Hall of Crucifixion – Resurrection, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. (service is in Spanish);
Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills at the Court of Liberty, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles; and
Forest Lawn – Long Beach at Sunnyside Courtyard, 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach.
Calvary Chapel North Long Beach will have an Easter Son-Rise service at 6 a.m. (outside) along with an in-person and live stream service at 9 a.m. Their location is 5722 Lime Ave., Long Beach. For inquiries, call 562-423-0447 or visit calvarynlb.org/.
First Christian Church of North Hollywood (Disciples of Christ) will hold an Easter Sunrise service at 6 a.m., as well as 9 and 11 a.m. services at 4390 Colfax Ave. To learn more, contact 818-763-8218 or visit www.fccnh.org.
Easter celebrations at Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church will start with a Sunrise service at 6:16 a.m., followed by a traditional service at 8 a.m. and a festival service at 10 a.m. The address is 14847 Dickens St. For more information, call 818-789-0215 or visit www.facebook.com/ShermanOaksLutheran and shermanoakslutheran.org.
American Martyrs Catholic Church will host Easter services inside the church at 6:30 a.m. in Latin, as well as at 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m. (live stream), noon, 1:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. (live stream). In the church’s O’Donnell Hall, services will take place at 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. Their location is 700 15th St., Manhattan Beach. For more details, call 310-545-5651 or visit americanmartyrs.org.
Bethany Church will commence its Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. in the courtyard, followed by a 10:30 a.m. service. They are located at 2250 Clark Ave., Long Beach. To connect, call 562-597-2411 or visit www.bethanylb.org/easter/.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is hosting Easter Masses on April 20, with services at 7:30 a.m. (in English), 10 a.m. (in English; live stream), and 12:30 p.m. (in Spanish; live stream). The Cathedral is at 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles.
For live stream services and further details, visit https://lacatholics.org/holyweek/ and lacatholics.org/event/easter-sunday-mass/.
Prince of Peace Episcopal Church will have services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. (Festal Choral Eucharist). The church is located at 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. For more information, call 818-346-6968 or email [email protected]. Visit www.popwh.org for more details.
Bay Shore Community Congregational Church is also celebrating Easter services at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Their address is 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. Visit bayshorechurch.org/ and bayshorechurch.org/events/easter-worship-services-2025/.
Bethel Church will also conduct its Easter celebration at 10 a.m., which will include a children’s egg hunt, the Easter story, and craft activities. They are located at 10725 Penrose St., Sun Valley. For inquiries, call 818-767-4488 or visit bethelsunvalley.com.
Palisades Lutheran Church will have an Easter message delivered by Pastor Martin Lee at 10 a.m. They are situated at 15905 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. For more information, call 310-459-2358 or email [email protected]. Further information can be found at www.plc.cc and www.facebook.com/PalisadesLutheranChurch.
Correspondent Robert Doss contributed to this report.
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