By Jenn Reid
Easter celebrations are often full of chocolate, bunnies and little baby chicks. Maybe you head to a parade, walk through spring flowers or stuff your face at brunch. There’s a lot of different ways to celebrate Easter in Toronto, from family-friendly crafts to all the sweets you could ever want. Check out the best Easter events and things to do this Easter long weekend. [Photo credit: Bala Maniymaran]
There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday than taking in the annual Beaches Easter Parade. The parade starts at 2 pm April 16 at Queen Street and Munro Park, before heading west along Queen to Woodbine. This year’s parade Grand Marshalls are Olympian Penny Oleksiak, Paralympian Victoria Nolan and Special Olympians Claudia Brown.
The Christian Performing Arts Centre presents and all new Toronto Passion Play this Easter season. The cast features more than 70 actors, singers and dancers detailing Christ’s last days amidst creative scenery, lights and special effects. The family-friendly play also features a live orchestra. The show runs Good Friday to Easter Sunday with various ticket times available. This event sells out every year, so be sure to book your Passion Play tickets in advance.
Downey’s Farm goes all out for Easter. The 16th annual Easterfest has wagon rides, puppet and magic shows, baby farm animals and Easter activities like egg paintings, crafts and an Easter egg hunt. The event runs both weekends leading up to Easter, the 8th and 9th as well as the 14th to 16th. Activities run from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last admission at 4 pm, and tickets are $13.
Get ready for Easter by creating a traditional pysanky Easter egg at Todmorden Mills. The Ukranian tradition uses wax to decorate the eggs, often in intricate designs. The Egg painting activity is open for ages eight and up, and takes place April 8, 9 and 15 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Pre-registration is required - it’s $12 for adults and $8 for kids.
Casa Loma hosts an elegant Easter brunch. The all-you-can-eat affair offers a seafood bar, leg of lamb, short rib, salads, cheeses and a dessert table with Belgian waffles. It’s $75 per person and $55 for kids. After getting your fill at brunch, guests can enjoy exploring Casa Loma. The brunch is April 16 only, and reservations are required. Check out the menu here.
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More things to do on YP
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Head across the lake to Centre Island for the biggest Easter egg hunt in Toronto. Kids can hunt for eggs in Centreville Amusement Park and win prizes from Lindt chocolate. There’s also face painting, and select rides will be open for the event. The festivities take place April 14 to 16 from 11 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $15 per person, and if you purchase online the ferry ride to the island is free.
It’s not all about bunnies and chocolate! Allan Gardens’ celebrates Easter with a showing of spring plants in full bloom. Starting April 14, check out hydrangeas and Easter lilies as they bloom. The show lasts for three to four weeks, depending on the plants. Allan Gardens is open 10 am to 5 pm daily and admission is free.
If church isn’t your thing, but you still want to get into the spirit this Easter, may we recommend this rock opera instead? Jesus Christ Superstar (the 1973 film, based on the musical of the same name) is a dramatization of the last days before Jesus’ crucifixion and the conflict between Judas and Jesus - but with rock music. It’s an award winner and a cult classic - there’s probably no better time to see it. The movie plays the Royal Cinema on April 14 and 15 at 4:30 pm.
Want to have an indulgent Easter dinner? Or are you more of a brunch person? Do you prefer Easter Sunday or Good Friday? Fortunately, the Old Mill has options. You can sit down for an Easter dinner buffet with carved roast beef, ham and a dessert table, or you can try the brunch with a seafood bar, cheeses and desserts. The Good Friday brunch on April 14 is $32.95 for adults and $16.95 for kids. On Sunday, April 16 the brunch is $47.95 and $24.95 for kids. The Dinner buffet is $49.95 per person and $24.95 for kids.
Easter chocolates taste even sweeter when you’ve made them yourself. Tasty Tour’s Easter Chocolate Workshop is a chance to make your own vanilla-infused chocolate truffles and learn different chocolate techniques. The class is at Odile Chocolate April 16 at 5 pm, and costs $49 for adults and $45 for kids.
