If you’re looking for parades, egg hunts, and festive family fun, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve pulled together three weekends worth of events to celebrate Easter in New Orleans & on the Northshore!
Lakeside Easter Bunny & Train
Now through Easter, Monday–Saturday 10am – 8pm; Sunday Noon – 6pm
The Easter Bunny & Cottontail Train have set up shop adjacent to Apple in Center Court. Train rides are $1.50 per ride. Bunny photo packages can be chosen in person or in advance online. Visitors can skip the line with an Express Entrance pass, by appointment only. https://www.lakesideshopping.com/cottontailtrail
Clearview Bunny Arrival & Petting Zoo
April 6, Noon-2pm
The Easter Bunny will arrive at Clearview Mall’s Center Court, along with a visit from his petting zoo friends from Living Treasures Wild Animal Park. Kids can meet and feed alpacas, goats, rabbits and more. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures through April 20. Monday – Thursday noon – 8pm; Friday & Saturday 10am – 8pm; Sunday noon – 5pm. http://www.shopclearviewmall.com/events.php
Longue Vue House & Gardens Egg Hunt
April 6, 9:30-10:30am & 1:30-2:30pm
Longue Vue is hosting two sessions of egg hunting, face-painting, lawn games, plant sales, and more. Age specific hunting zones will be set up for ages 3 and under, 4-6, and 7 and up. https://longuevue.com/event/easter-egg-hunt-4/
NOMB Easter Egg Hunt
April 6, 10am-1pm
Taking place on the beautiful oak-filled campus of Children’s Hospital on State Street along the river, the New Orleans Moms Blog’s annual event features age-divided egg hunts, lots of delicious food, giveaways, kid-friendly swag, and more. https://www.neworleansmomsblog.com/2019-7th-annual-easter-egg-hunt/
Michaels Kids Club Classes: Easter Projects (Both Shores)
April 6 & 13, 10am – noon
Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick Easter project and take home a finished masterpiece at local Michaels stores. The themes are: Carrot Crafts on April 6, and Funny Bunnies on April 13. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event. http://www.michaels.com/classes
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Dave & Busters
April 13, 8-11am
Following the breakfast buffet from 8-10:30am, there will be an egg hunt, coloring, cartoons, pictures with the bunny (bring your camera), and of course, video games. https://www.daveandbusters.com/locations/new-orleans
Egg Scramble at City Park
April 13 & 14, 9am-noon
In addition to the egg hunt, this festive annual event also features music, face painters, the Easter Bunny, and a balloon artist. At 10am they’ll blow the whistle for hunt for treat-filled eggs will begin. There will be 100 golden eggs containing City Park attraction tix for those lucky enough to find them. Carousel Gardens opens around 10:30am, featuring 17 rides, including the Ladybug Roller Coaster. https://neworleanscitypark.com/events/egg-scramble
NOMA Egg Hunt & Family Festival
April 13, 10am-1pm
Held in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, this fun-filled day features egg hunts, a petting zoo, face painting, spacewalks, painting, crafts, activities, and more. https://noma.org/event/noma-egg-hunt-and-family-festival-2019/
Easter at the Market (Northshore)
April 13, 10am-12:30pm
The annual springtime event will be held during the weekly community market at Mandeville Trailhead, featuring family entertainment and activities for the kids, including face painting, crafts, games, prizes, live music, and of course, the Easter Bunny. Bring your camera. http://www.mandevilletrailheadmarket.com/
Angels Grove Easter Eggstravaganza (Northshore)
April 13, 10am – 2pm
Angels Grove Ranch non-profit horse rescue will have horseback riding, pictures with real bunnies, petting zoo, hayride, games, crafts, and an egg hunt with over 1000 eggs. https://www.facebook.com/events/1232561343557506/
Peter Cottontail Tea at the Ritz
April 13 & 14, 11am or 2:30pm seating
The Ritz-Carlton’s The Davenport Lounge is the site for this special Easter celebration featuring an appearance by Peter Cottontail. Children will enjoy cookie decorating, an Easter egg hunt, and other holiday treats. Reservations are required, please call (504)262-5048. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/hotel-overview/calendar
Bunny Fest
April 19 & 20, 11am-6pm
The Rotary Club of Metairie hosts this annual event at Lafreniere Park, which features refreshments, balloon art, bounce houses, a bunny hop sack race, pony rides, face painting, games, and more. http://www.bunnyfest.org/
Creole Queen Easter Cruises
April 20, 10:30am-noon & 2-3:30pm
All are invited to celebrate the Easter holiday with Bourgeois the Bunny at the annual Hoppin’ Down the River cruise, a special family event — with two cruise times to choose from — on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Children will enjoy fun activities and games, and all will be treated to a lunch buffet, which includes sweet Easter treats. A real-live alligator from the Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour will be in attendance for guests to hold and take pictures with. Guests can also commemorate this unique Easter cruise with a photo with Bourgeois the Bunny. Boarding will begin 30 minutes prior to each cruise. https://www.creolequeen.com/hoppin-down-the-river-easter-cruise
Egg Rollin’ at the Trailhead (Northshore)
April 20, 10am – noon
Everyone is invited to the city of Covington’s annual spring kids’ event at the Covington Trailhead, which will include Zoo to U petting zoo, crafts, and games. http://www.covla.com/
YAYA Easter Egg Hunt
April 20, 11am-1pm
The YAYA Arts Center hosts this free event where visitors can get their faces painted, dye eggs, build a basket, and join the egg hunt, starting at 12pm. There will also be opportunities to create your very own glass egg (must pre-register) and experience NOMA’s new mobile museum. This event is open to all ages and lunch will be provided. Pre-registration required. https://www.yayainc.org/upcoming-events/2019/4/20/annual-easter-egg-hunt
The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade
April 21, 9:45am
The annual parade — a mix of mule-drawn carriages and classic convertibles, from which sweet trinkets, like stuffed bunnies, are throw to children on the route — begins at Antoine’s Restaurant and stops at St. Louis Cathedral for 11am mass. Following mass, it continues, winding its way back to Antoine’s. Awards given out in categories like “Best Easter Bonnet,” “Best Easter Basket,” and “Best Overall Attire.” http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/easter.html
Big Sky Easter Champagne Brunch (Northshore)
April 21, 10:30am – 3pm
The event at Big Sky Ranch will feature a farm-to-table organic brunch, Bloody Mary bar, live music, silent auction and of course, an Easter egg hunt. Additional festivities include hayrides, family games, and more. The brunch is 10:30am-1pm and open events are from 1-3pm. https://www.bigskyranch.org/annual-easter-brunch
Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade
April 21, 1pm
Famed New Orleans entertainer Chris Owens takes the role of Grand Duchess, leading the procession of floats, marching bands, and plenty of fun throws through the Vieux Carré. The parade begins at the corner of St. Louis and Royal, then continues down Royal to Canal to Phillip Street and ends at St. Louis and Royal Street at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, where there’s a champagne brunch. http://www.frenchquartereasterparade.com/