Things to Do this Easter in Lancaster, PA

Disclaimer: Many of our local events have been postponed or canceled in an abundance of caution and following the statewide order of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf prohibiting non-essential activity. We’re endeavoring to keep our event content up to date, but please double-check with local venues and businesses for their current operating schedule.

1. Easter Bunny Train

Strasburg Rail Road | April 2 - 4
Hop aboard the Easter Bunny Train at the Strasburg Rail Road. Welcome spring with a ride through beautiful farmland with Peter Cottontail as your conductor. Peter will delight boys and girls with an Easter surprise as he greets them on board this special train. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

2. Easter Dinner

Strasburg Rail Road | April 4th, 11 am and 2 pm departures
Enjoy a delicious Easter dinner prepared by Café 1832's Executive Chef aboard the historic Lee E. Brenner Dining Car.

3. Egg-stra Special Easter

Kitchen Kettle Village | April 2 & 3
Reserve your spot for this special Easter event at Kitchen Kettle Village. In terms of food, tickets include a yummy lunch at the Harvest Cafe and a box of sweet treats from the Bake Shop. The little ones (10 and under) can partake in a VIP Egg Hunt and all kids can join in the village-wide scavenger hunt and take their photo with Yummie and the Easter Bunny!

4. Bunny Village & Egg Hunts

Barnyard Kingdom | April 2 & 3
There are so many different activities at the Barnyard Kingdom to celebrate Easter. From riding through Bunny Village to see the Easter Bunny’s home to egg hunts, or even breakfast with the Easter Bunny himself, little ones will be bouncing with joy throughout the day. Be sure to visit the baby bunnies, chicks, and other animals while you are there.

5. Queen Esther

Sight & Sound Theatres® | Check website for schedule
Experience one of the most riveting Bible stories of the Old Testament as it comes to life with magnificent sets, special effects, and live animals in this brand-new, original stage production!

6. Easter Weekend

Spring Gulch Resort Campground | April 4
The Spring Gulch campground is the perfect place to get away for Easter weekend. Their fishing pond will be freshly stocked and families will enjoy an Easter egg hunt, in addition to other activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny!

7. AACA Easter Egg Hunt

AACA Museum | March 27
Children can partake in a special Easter egg hunt through the AACA Museum. All kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Guests can hunt for eggs in the Main Gallery and Rotunda. Egg hunters are entered into a drawing to win a Family Membership to the museum. All egg treats are provided by The Hershey Company. Be sure to bring your own basket.

8. Easter Brunch

If your family isn't keen on eating with the Bunny, there are plenty of restaurants around the county to visit for brunch. Review our list of the Best Weekend Brunch spots and be sure to look for special schedules, menus, and deals on each restaurant’s website.

9. Send a Taste of Lancaster to a Loved Ones

Lancaster Local Provisions allows you to send your loved ones a taste of Lancaster this Easter. Their special curated Easter & Passover boxes are the perfect gift to show those you care about that you're thinking of them this holiday. Here's an idea: get one for yourself too and have a virtual Easter celebration with whomever you send the other one too!

10. Get Easter Flowers

Lancaster has an abundance of plant and garden centers around the county. Stop by before Easter to get flowers for your garden or pick up a beautiful gift for a special someone!

Did You Know?

The famous symbols of the egg and the rabbit during Easter trace back to Germany and the Pennsylvania Dutch are responsible for bringing these traditions to America.

Easter traditions in Germany date back to the 1500s and the Pennsylvania Dutch who immigrated to the United States continued the tradition of the Oschter Haws or Easter Hare. If the children were good, the Easter Hare would lay colored eggs in the grass for them to discover. However, instead of baskets, the children would prepare special nests using their own bonnets or hats.

The custom did not catch on nationally until the early 1900s, for the idea of an egg-laying rabbit was a rather hard sell to non-Germanics.

Source: Lancaster Newspaper, “Easter Bunny, like the Belsnickle, owes American roots to the Pa. Dutch”