Big D knows how to celebrate big occasions with gusto, and the Easter holiday is no exception. Across Dallas-Fort Worth, this weekend will be filled with egg hunts, sunrise services and fancy brunch offers. Here are five of our favorite events, plus a few extras to get you on your way. Note that many churches and schools will also have their own egg hunts and Easter activities, so check with those in your neck of the woods if you'd like to stay close to home.
Easter in Lee Park and Pooch Parade
Dallas' beloved Easter tradition -- in its 51st year -- returns to the park with emcees LeeAnne Locken (from the Dallas installment of Bravo TV's Real Housewives) and lifestyle guru Steve Kemble. The highlight of the afternoon of festivities is the famed Lee Park Pooch Parade, which meanders down Turtle Creek Boulevard beginning at 2 p.m.. Winners are chosen by a panel of celebrity judges with prizes going for Best in Show, Best Group, Most Creative and Best Easter Inspired Outfit. There'll also be live music from the Gypsy Playboys and DJ Jen Miller, an Easter egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and food trucks. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome (no retractable leashes please); if you don't already have a pooch, nonprofit animal rescue organizations including the SPCA and Greyhound Adoption League of Texas will be on-site with adoptable pets. To fully enjoy the day, be sure to take a picnic basket and blanket with you.
April 16 from 1-4 p.m. at Robert E. Lee Park, 3400 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. Free; registration to participate in the Pooch Parade is $10. Register in advance at leeparkconservancy.org.
Victorian Eggstravaganza and Spring Festival
Grab your baskets: More than 5,000 eggs will be hidden on the museum's lawn and north meadow for children to seek at this event, which the museum calls Plano's largest "historic Easter egg hunt." Hunt times are staggered by age group so that the big kids don't overrun the toddlers. In addition to the egg-hunting, visitors can also experience the springtime excitement that comes along with having sheep: See demos on shearing, wool skirting, carding, washing, dyeing, spinning and weaving. Concessions, face painting, wagon rides, a children's craft, house tours, exhibits and historical activities will also be part of the fun.
April 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W. 15th St., Plano. $8. heritagefarmstead.org/events.
Easter Weekend at the Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum is a popular Easter destination, and as such, its egg hunts have already sold out. So it's a good thing the nature center has a host of other activities planned. On Good Friday, there'll be children's crafts and other activities, free photos with the Easter Bunny as well as concerts by family favorite Eddie Coker at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On April 15-16, an Eggstravaganza on the Camp Lawn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature live music, garden games, face painting, sack races, live bunnies and another chance to get a photo with the Easter Bunny. On Easter Sunday, a brunch will be offered with seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (make reservations by calling 214-515-6511).
April 14-16 (see website for schedule) at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 children 3-12, free for kids 2 and younger (Easter brunch is not included). Parking is $15 on site, $8 if purchased in advance online. dallasarboretum.org.
Easter Weekend Children's Activities
Celebrate Easter the healthy way at the Dallas Farmers Market. On April 15, learn about natural Easter egg dyeing using fresh items from the market, and meet Farmer Kim in Mama Ida's Garden. On Easter Sunday, participate in the Passport Easter Egg Hunt by picking up your passport at the information booth in the shed.
April 15-16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dallas Farmers Market, 1010 S. Pearl Expressway, Dallas. Free. dallasfarmersmarket.com.
Easter at the Cathedral
More than 100,000 candy-filled eggs will be scattered across the lawns at Elevate Life Church for a hunt that begins April 15 at 11 a.m., and the Easter Bunny will be in attendance for photo ops (take your own camera). Alongside the hunt, there'll also be food trucks, bounce houses and a classic, truck and motorcycle show featuring exotic, vintage and unique vehicles in the church parking lot. The church also will host four performance of "SEE," an original Easter musical production that follows the life of Jesus with a modern twist.
April 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with "SEE" performance at 6 p.m.; April 16 performances of "SEE" at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Elevate Life Church, 8500 Teel Parkway, Frisco. Free. elevatelife.com.
Other Easter highlights
Free Easter Egg Hunt on the Lawn This Easter egg hunt on the lawn of the Lone Star-shaped Texas Pool will have prizes and treats for kids from 1 to 12 years old. Admission is free but donations are welcome. April 15 at the Texas Pool, Plano. texaspool.org.
Free Grand Prairie Easter Eggstravaganza Thousands of eggs will be hidden at the ballpark for kids 10 and younger, plus there'll be photos with the Easter Bunny, prizes, craft stations, bounces houses and vendors. April 15 at AirHogs Stadium, Grand Prairie. airhogsbaseball.com.
Free Eggstravaganza Kids can hunt for candy- and toy-filled eggs at this Easter celebration. Other activities include bounce houses, face painting, live music and photos with the Bunny. April 15 at Wagon Wheel Park, Coppell. Free. coppelltx.gov.
Free Miracle Weekend Easter Egg Hunt Kids 10 and younger can enjoy an Easter egg hunt. Bring your dogs to join in the fun, too, as there will be a doggie hunt with eggs filled with treats. There also will be food, bounce houses and Easter Bunny photos. April 15 at Virginia Weaver Park, Cedar Hill. cedarhilltx.com.
Free Movie on the Square: Hop Carrollton's spring movie series kicks off with this movie about the Easter Bunny's teenage son, who heads to Hollywood to become a rock 'n' roll drummer. Take blankets or chairs. April 15 at the Downtown Carrollton Square, Carrollton. cityofcarrollton.com.
St. Andrew UMC Family Egg Hunt Children are invited to hunt for more than 5,000 treat-filled eggs. Other activities include a bounce house midway, large petting zoo, pony rides, train, face painting, crafts and the Easter Bunny. April 15 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Plano. standrewumc.org/events-registration.
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