Blossoms & Bunnies: Things To Do Easter Weekend

It's officially Spring! The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom, the store sleeves are lined with pastel colored candies for the upcoming Easter weekend and the weather is going to be fabulous. Could we ask for anything more? Get out and enjoy yourselves with your family and friends at these local events celebrating the Cherry Blossoms and Easter.

Cherry Blossom Festival Events

Opening Ceremony

Kick-off the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival and watch world renowned performers as they welcome spring time to Washington, DC and celebrate the anniversary of the gift of trees from Japan to the United States. Enjoy traditional and contemporary performances in the historic Warner Theatre from 5-6:30pm on Saturday March 26, 2016. The trees, both in Japan and the U.S., always have symbolized birth and renewal. The Opening Ceremony celebrates the season through a showcase of great American and Japanese talent. Tickets were originally sold out however, additional tickets have been released. Registration and event details here.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Family Day

Come learn about landscape architecture as you help transform the National Building Museum’s Great Hall into a life size plant drawing. Using elements from the New American Garden exhibition, you’ll collaboratively build a 2D garden on the enormous floor. Kiddos will learn about scale and architectural drawing in a fun and unique way. Additional activities include: folding origami masterpieces, designing a memorial for the National Mall, trying on traditional Japanese clothing and learning more about the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration. Saturday March 26, 2016, 9 am-5 pm. Free. All ages. Event detail here.

Photo credit: cntraveler.com

Easter Egg Hunts & More!

Dinosaur Egg Hunt

Mini paleontologists will be digging up more than Easter eggs at this exciting event running Friday - Sunday, March 25-27, 2016, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center! This dinosaur themed event will feature an outdoor egg hunt at Dinoland in Nature Place {Hidden Oak’s 1/3-acre unstructured woodland play area}, followed by the opportunity to make a dino craft. The event is open to all ages with multiple times available for different age groups. The cost is $7 for Fairfax County residents and $9 for non-residents. Registration is required. Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located at 7701 Royce St., Annandale, VA 22003. Registation and event details here.

Lovettsville Eggstravaganza

This event is close to our founder's heart as it is hosted on the Town Green named after her husband's family who has roots in Lovettsville  for over 70 years! The Eggstravaganza will be held Saturday March 26, 2016. Get the kids ready as there will be over 2,500 eggs to hunt for! Enjoy a petting zoo, pictures with the Easter Bunny, pony rides, food and much more. This event is hosted on the Lovettsville Town Green at 11 Spring Farm Dr, Lovettsville, VA 20180. Event details here.

Ticonderoga Farms Easter Egg Hunts

Running  every weekend until  April 3, 2016, the farm is hosting Easter egg hunts at 11am and 2pm  {Farm is open 10am-5pm}.  There will also be an opportunity to meet the Easter bunny!  While there, don't forget to  enjoy the farms other activities!  Attractions include jumping pillows, giant slides, play structures, and it is  also home to Virginia’s largest swinging bridge! With seasonal events and activities including hayrides and  s’mores making,  visitors big and small will find something to enjoy. {Note: This event is subject to cancelation due to inclement weather. Please call their facility to confirm events.} Ticonderoga Farms is located at 26469 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly, VA 20152. Tickets  are  required. Event details here.

Egg Hunt at Clemyjontri Park

Clemyjontri Park is hosting a day of Easter fun on Saturday March 26, 2016! Enjoy egg hunts, crafts, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and more! Egg hunts are split by age and run every thirty minutes. Plus, weather permitting, the carousel will be open. Registration is required. Clemyjontri Park boasts over 2-acres of fun. This all-inclusive, adaptive playground consists of 4 outdoor “rooms” surrounding a centerpiece carousel: The Rainbow Room, The Schoolhouse & Maze, The Movin’ and Groovin’ Transportation Area, and Fitness & Fun. In addition to a ton of climb on structures for all ages, the rubber surfacing is stroller and wagon friendly, there are plenty of shaded areas to sit, picnic tables, on-site bathrooms, vending machines with drinks, and much more. Clemyiontri Park is located at 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA.  Pre-register and event details here.

Photo credit: metrofamilymagazine.com

Madame Tussauds Easter Celebration

In celebration of Easter and a White House tradition started by the 19th US President, Rutherford B. Hayes, Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is hosting its fifth annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday March 26, 2016! A bounty of eggs will be hidden throughout Madame Tussauds’ President’s Gallery, waiting to be discovered by guests as they interact with and enjoy wax figures of all 44 US Presidents. Once children have collected all the empty eggs, they can trade them in at the end for an Easter Gift Bag full of fun treats!

The price of admission includes full access to Madame Tussauds Washington, DC, an Easter egg hunt through the Presidents Gallery, one gift bag per child, a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, access to an onsite petting zoo, face painting and crafts! Three half-hour sessions available, including 8 am, 8:30 am, and 9 am.  Madame Tussauds is located at 1001 F St. NW, Washington, DC.  Tickets and event details here.

West Belmont Place Easter Eggstravaganza

The Easter Bunny is coming to West Belmont Place at The National Conference Center (NCC) in Leesburg on Sunday March 27, 2016, at 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm! Your family’s special morning with the Easter Bunny features a buffet brunch, a keepsake family photo with the Easter Bunny, and an Easter egg scavenger hunt for children 6-12 and a Baby Bunny Easter Egg Hunt for children 5 and under, on the West Lawn of The NCC’s 65-acre campus! Plus, a non-denominational church service will be held at 9 am for guests and members of the community who would like to attend. Tickets for the Easter Egg-Stravaganza are $52 for adults and children 13 and over; $25 for children ages 3- 12. Children 2 years old and younger may attend at no cost when accompanied by a paid adult. West Belmont Place Event Center at The National Conference Center is located at 18980 Upper Belmont Pl., Leesburg, VA 20176. Purchase tickets and event details here.

Easter Brunch with the Little Ones
If a family brunch on Easter morning is more your speed, there are plenty of options that also include a little fun for the kids. CoCo Sala’s Easter Chocolate Brunch includes a chocolate surprise for the kids. And at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City, the Easter Bunny Corner offers a full brunch of kid-friendly options plus a kite station, a chance to decorate Easter Eggs and a visit from the bunny himself.

CoCo Sala
929 F St., NW
Online: cocosala.com

Ritz Carlton Pentagon City
1250 S Hayes St. (Arlington, Va)
Online: ritzcarlton.com

The National Zoo Easter Celebration

Although this is not a weekend event, many families still enjoy it yearly. Visit the National Zoo on Monday March 28, 2016, for their Easter celebration! This family friendly event will feature live entertainment and activities for the everyone, including a traditional Easter egg hunt for kids, with prizes, and field games for older children. Special animal demonstrations are planned as well as visits from the Easter Panda! It is on rain or shine and FREE to all ages! The National Zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008. Event details.

Please share your photos with us in the comments below and let us know which events you enjoyed! Wishing everyone a safe and 'hoppy' Easter weekend!