If you are just starting to recover from your sugar cravings from Christmas and Valentine’s Day, be warned that another chocolate and treat-forward holiday is right around the corner. Easter this year takes place on Sunday, April 1, 2018 and will taste a little sweeter as we move towards warmer weather. We have rounded up the best places in Vancouver to hunt for eggs, meet the Easter Bunny and even work off those sneaky handfuls of jellybeans and mini eggs.
STANLEY PARK EASTER TRAIN
A holiday favourite amongst many, the Stanley Park Easter train is taking place from March 22 to 25 and from March 29 until April 2 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Other activities include the bunny burrow maze, professional face painting, Easter crafts, bouncers and carnival games, and a meet and great with the Easter Bunny himself. Children are encouraged to bring a basket or something to collect their eggs in, and parents are advised to buy tickets in advance as the rides often sell out. Tickets for the train ride are $6 plus GST per person. Trains will also run the weekend of March 17th and 18th, but without the extra Easter activities. More information here.
CHERRY BLOSSOM VIEWING
As Vancouverites pack up their winter jackets, they are rewarded with one of the city’s best sites: 40,000 cherry blossom trees bursting with pink and white blooms. Tourism Vancouver has put together a list of the best places to view the cherry blossoms in Vancouver, including Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, and VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Off the path from the traditional spots, downtown Burrard SkyTrain station is surrounded by a canopy of blooms near the entrance. Find a map of the best viewing spots here.
Worked up an appetite after completing some of these Easter activities? Head to Fairmont Pacific Rim for a wide selection of weekend brunch options from casual dining in giovane café + market + eatery, fresh, Pacific Northwest inspired cuisine at Botanist, or a Japanese inspired four-course cocktail brunch at The Lobby Lounge. Check out the full list of dining options here.
Botanist will be featuring a set Easter Brunch menu for $48/person which includes your choice of entrée with coffee or tea, juice, and a sparkling cocktail. It’s the perfect start or end to your long weekend, that is sure to put a little spring into your step!
VINTAGE CAR EASTER GATHERING
Though Easter Sunday this year falls on April Fools’ Day, we promise we aren’t kidding when we suggest the Easter Vintage Car Rally. Each year the Vancouver Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada holds a car rally in the parking lot of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, beginning around 10:30am. Car enthusiasts will enjoy everything from antique Fords to Corvettes, Firebirds and vintage collectables. Around 1pm, over 90 vintage cars will gather before heading out on a “mystery drive” to a yet to be determined location. To learn more about the rally, click here.
BIG BUNNY RUN & EGG HUNT
Looking to burn off those Easter treats? The 3rd annual Big Bunny Run is back on March 31, 2018 from 11:30am – 4pm. Taking place at Jericho Beach, the holiday themed run offers a 10km and 5km run/walk at 2:00pm as well as a 1km Little Bunny run/walk. Leashed dogs and strollers are welcome. Registration is $10-15 respectively. More information here.
SATURDAY MORNINGS AT THE MOVIES
Taking place every Saturday morning at 11:00am, Cineplex theatres presents Family Favourites. On March 31, 2018 they will be showing the 2011 animated film Hop, >about an Easter Bunny who escapes to Hollywood to find fame and fortune. Show tickets are $2.99 per person at select theatres. Buy your movie tickets here.
PLAYDOME
Where can you find a Ferris Wheels, Tilt-a-Whirl, and a Haunted House all under one roof? PlayDome, Western Canada’s largest indoor carnival is back located inside BC Place. From March 28 – April 2, enjoy six fun filled days of carnival rides, games and classic sweet treats like cotton candy, mini donuts, slushies and more. Though it may not be an Easter event, it’s a perfect place to bring the entire family, with something for everyone. Children under the age of 2 years old are admitted for free (for safety reasons they are not allowed to ride). Find more information here.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT RENFREW
Rain or shine, the annual Easter Eggstravaganza at Renfrew Park Community Centre will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2018. The egg hunt will take place from noon until 3pm and parents are encouraged to sign up for a specific time slot. The centre will also have face painting and craft activities. The egg hunt is $2 per child or $5 for all activities. Accompanying adults may attend this event for free. Learn more here.
FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM ART TOUR Ongoing
Even before you enter Fairmont Pacific Rim, you will be captivated by its exterior. Wander through the hotel’s growing international art collection, including various public art pieces and architectural details at the property, beginning outside and gradually coming back inside to the hotel. The hotel is designed by James Cheng, the architect whose green glass towers helped create the term “Vancouverism” and combines the best of Asia and the West Coast in its design. Under the direction of owner/developer, Westbank Projects Corp., the collection is not themed, rather driven by interest and passion. Started in 2010 with the hotel’s opening, the collection includes works by Neil Campbell, James Cheng, Liam Gillick, Fred Herzog, Zhang Huan, Ian Wallace and Joseph Wu, and underlines a deep commitment to bringing art and artists into all aspects of the hotel’s design and development. For more information regarding the art tour, click here.
