Easter 2021: Egg Hunts, Services And Meals In And Near Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ — Easter celebrations across the country and in Phoenix will look different from ever before in 2021 as traditional events such as egg hunts, religious services and restaurant deals will go on virtually as well as in person.

In Phoenix, traditional, in-person service will be held on Easter Sunday at the following locations:

• Royal Palms Baptist Church (8802 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix)
• Faith Walking Ministries (3464 W. Earll Dr., Phoenix)
• Desert Springs Bible Church (16215 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix)
• Beatitudes Church (555 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix)

Easter egg hunts are a tad different from years past, with social distancing and masks required at most events. Here are some of the events that will be held this weekend in Phoenix:

• March 31-April 2: 11 a.m-4 p.m., Enchanted Island Easter (Enchanted Island Amusement Park, 1202 W. Encanto Blvd., Phoenix, free)
• April 3: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Spring Fairy Party & Egg Hunt (The Teapot, 818 N. 5th Ave., Phoenix, free)

When it comes to food in Phoenix, several restaurants are offering brunch deals for patrons, including the following:

• FRANCINE: Special three-course brunch menu that includes dishes like Egg Meurette and ratatouille, in addition to numerous lunch options. Visit their website for more info.
• We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort: Three-course champagne brunch with Bellini, mimosas or a glass a champagne included, as well as breakfast pastries. Visit their website info for more info.
• Roaring Fork: Offering a dinner deal from 4-9 p.m. that incluedes filet mignon, braised beef short ribs and crispy chicken beignets. Visit their website for more info.
• Maple and Ash: Offering an Easter brunch menu from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. that includes steak and eggs, lobster quiche, and their regular brunch menu. Visit their website for more info.
• SanTan Brewing: Offering an Easter brunch at their Chandler and Phoenix locations that includes breakfast and lunch entries from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit their website for more info.

Additional brunch offerings on Easter Sunday can be found here.

Mostly religious services went virtual during the Easter season last year, when the coronavirus pandemic was still fairly new and most states remained under strict shutdown orders in mid-April. This year, there’s more of a combination of virtual and in-person services taking place with the pandemic having passed the one-year mark.

Many major American archdioceses, such as in Chicago, will continue to hold virtual services that will be streamed throughout Holy Week, which includes the Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday holidays leading up to Easter.

Good Friday, on April 2 this year, marks the death of Jesus Christ. Easter, two days later, celebrates the time when he was resurrected. The Sunday holiday always occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Religious traditions on Good Friday include periods of silence and fasting for many Christians, prominently in the Catholic faith.

Fairfax United Methodist Church in Virginia is also streaming its Holy Week services, with an in-person service offered to a limited number of attendees on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter.

Many Protestant churches will have their traditional sunrise services with social distancing in mind. The Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church is having its services on Easter morning, while the Colorado Council of Churches canceled its service at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and instead will have Bishop Kym Lucas of the Episcopal Church in Colorado lead a virtual service.

One of the most celebrated Easter traditions outside of church is the Easter egg hunt, many of which were canceled last year but will return in some form in 2021. In La Grange, Kentucky, an egg hunt is planned in conjunction with a drive-in theater and movie; and St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, already held its egg hunt over two sessions, with early sign-ups required.