posted Feb 02, 2024

Things to Do this Easter in Lancaster, PA

From egg hunts to bunny trains, it’s hoppin’ this Easter!

Easter Bunny Trains

Strasburg Rail Road | March 29-31
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.

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad | March 17-29
Ride the train while the Easter Bunny hands out candy to all the kids and offers photo opportunities throughout the event!

Stone Gables Estate | March 23-30
Enjoy a hippity hoppity narrated train excursion through the center of Stone Gables Estate on the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. On board the train children will receive a special surprise visit!

Egg-stra Special Easter

Kitchen Kettle Village | March 23-30
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. 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!

Stone Gables Estate | March 23
Come celebrate Easter like never before at the historic Star Barn. Enjoy egg hunts, petting zoo, face painting, vendors, and endless photo opts. There is so much to do on this one day Easter Celebration event.

Dutch Wonderland | March 29-April 7
Hoppin' Into Royal Fun! Dutch Wonderland kicks off spring with a seasonal egg-cellent event you don't want to miss! Join the kingdom as we celebrate the Easter Season in a truly royal way.

Bunny Village & Egg Hunts

Barnyard Kingdom | March 23-30
Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny himself at the Barnyard Kingdom. The 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.

The Bunny Brunch

The Stevens School Ballroom | March 30
Enjoy a fun filled Easter brunch at the first ever Bunny Brunch in the Ballroom. The Easter Bunny will be there to keep the kids entertained with an Easter themed storytime, busy bags and crafts.

DANIEL

Sight & Sound Theatres® | Check website for schedule
From the fiery furnace to the infamous den of lions, DANIEL is a spectacular entertainment experience for the whole family!

Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny

That Pet Place | March 23-30
Take your furry, feathered, or scaly best friend to get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

Easter Brunch & Dinner

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

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”