Watch CBS News

Best Easter Events in Orange County

kwanzaa_header
(credit: City of Encinitas)

Orange County boasts numerous fun activities perfect for the entire family's celebration of Easter. From standard egg hunts and unique twists on an old theme to an ocean front Easter morning church service, get ready to celebrate Easter in Orange County.

kwanza300
(credit: chrissuh.com)

April 19

OC Marketplace Easter Festival and Treasure Hunt
Costa Mesa
Orange County Market Place
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 723-6616
www.ocmarketplace.com

On Saturday, just before Easter, take the kids to the Orange County Marketplace for their annual Easter Festival. Kids can bring their Easter baskets for the chance to hunt for eggs, including a limited number of "Golden Ticket" filled eggs that can procure a special prize. A full lineup of more than a dozen OC food trucks will be on hand serving up your "Easter Brunch." Pictures with the Easter bunny, free marionette shows, free face painting, a free toy for the first 500 kids in line, and even free admission for kids under 12 make this a great family afternoon Easter celebration.

Rabbit Run Race
(credit: itzabouttime.com)

April 19

Rabbit Run 5k Run/Walk Easter Egg Hunt
Concordia University
1530 Condordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
www.itzabouttime.com/rabbit-run-5k-egg-hunt

This year, join the largest running Easter Egg Hunt, perfect for avid runners and the entire family. Run, walk or stroll the 3.1 mile trail while searching for hidden goodies and treats stashed all over the course. Finish your race with fruit, water, and pictures from the Easter Bunny himself. Kids can take home a t-shirt, souvenir picture with the Easter bunny, and awards for various age groups. The event begins at 9am.

Sunrise Easter Service at the Beach
(credit: Dixon Team/flickr.com)

April 20

Sunrise Easter Service at the Beach
Huntington Beach Pier Plaza
325 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 536-1614
www.surfcityusa.com

Wake up Easter morning and head for the coast for a beautiful sunrise church service on the pier plaza in Huntington Beach. Overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific, your morning will be hosted by Hope Chapel Huntington Beach Foursquare Church, who will offer up live Christian music, prayer, and an Easter message by their team of pastors. Coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts and provided after the service. 6:15am-7:30am.

Spring Eggstravaganza easter kids
(credit: City of Buena Park)

April 19

Spring Eggstravaganza
Henry Boisseranc Park
7520 Dale Street
Buena Park, CA 90620
www.buenapark.com

The City of Buena Park is serving up a pancake breakfast and Spring Eggstravaganza for your Easter weekend. Pancakes will start flipping at 8am and activities start at 9am including an Easter egg hunt, stage entertainment, crafts, games, a petting zoo, and visits with the Spring Bunny.

laguna hills easter  header 610
(credit: City of Laguna Hills)

April 11

Late Night Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Laguna Hills Community Center Soccer Fields
25555 Alicia Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 707-2680
ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

For a fun, unique twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt, head to the City of Laguna Hills at 7:30am for a family friendly, late night, flashlight, Easter Egg Hunt! With flashlight and loot bag in hand, your kids age 7-14 (in two separate age defined heats) can race through a course full of Easter themed goodies. An end of the night raffle allows families even more opportunities to win! Advance registration required.

irvine park railroad
(credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

March 29-April 19

Easter Eggstravaganza
Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
www.irvineparkrailroad.com

The Easter egg hunt at the Irvine Park Railroad is a pretty exciting hunt. This ticketed event features eggs filled with candy, stickers, free train tickets, and more, and because the hunts are broken down by age and limited in participants (arrive early!), all the kids have plenty of chances to score loads of eggs. Additional activities include photos with the Easter Bunny, Moon Bounce houses, a hay ride through the spring flowers of the park, cookie decorating, carnival games, face painting, and of course rides around the park on board the train.

View Easter Activities in Orange County in a full screen map

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.