Easter Sunday lands on April 5 this year, and across the The Villages, Ocala, and the surrounding towns of Central Florida, there are egg hunts, brunches, festivals, and family events spread across nearly every weekend between now and Easter. We rounded up everything worth knowing about so you can plan ahead — or just show up somewhere fun on Easter morning.
Easter Egg Hunts
These are listed in date order so you can plan around what works for your family. Several of the big ones happen the weekends before Easter, so don’t wait until April 5 to start looking.
Sensory Spring Egg Hunt — Ocala
When: Saturday, March 21 · 8–10am Where: Forest Community Center, Ocala Cost: Free Ages: All ages
A sensory-friendly egg hunt designed for families who want to skip the chaos. Each family gets a private 10-minute egg hunt window. Pre-registration is required.
Easter Egg Hunt at Forest Community Center — Ocala
When: Saturday, March 21 · 10am–2pm Where: Forest Community Center, Ocala Cost: Free Ages: All ages
Colorful eggs filled with treats, visits with the Easter Bunny, games, and spring-themed crafts. A solid all-morning option if you’re in Ocala.
Easter Egg Hunts at Leesburg Animal Park — Leesburg
When: March 23–24 and March 30–31 Where: Leesburg Animal Park · 19239 US-27, Leesburg Cost: Ticket includes all-day park admission + one egg hunt Ages: Groups at 12pm (3 and under), 12:30pm (ages 4–6), 1pm (ages 7–12)
One of the area’s best Easter traditions. The egg hunts are age-grouped so little ones aren’t competing with older kids, and your ticket gets you the full animal park experience for the day. Pre-registration is required — tickets are not sold at the door. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your hunt time.
Easter Bunny Photos — Mount Dora
When: Monday, March 24 · 1:30pm Where: Watson Realty Corp, Mount Dora Cost: Free
Hop by for photos with the Easter Bunny. Quick, easy, no registration.
Wildwood Flashlight Adult Egg Hunt — Wildwood
When: Friday, March 27 · 8–10pm Where: Wildwood Community Center · 1300 Huey Street, Wildwood Cost: $15 per person Ages: 21 and older only
This one’s for the grownups. Flashlight egg hunt after dark at the Wildwood Community Center. Tickets available at the community center, online, or by phone at 352-461-0134. Limited capacity, so grab yours early.
First Annual Spring Festival & Egg Hunt — Ocala
When: Saturday, March 28 · 11am Where: Baseline Trailhead Park, Ocala Cost: Free
Spring celebration with egg hunt, kids’ activities, and food trucks.
Hoppin’ Into Easter: Egg Hunt & Crafts — Inverness
When: Saturday, March 28 Where: Lakes Region Library, Inverness Cost: Free Ages: Children
Easter egg hunt and spring crafts on the library grounds. A low-key, no-pressure option in Citrus County.
Easter Eggstravaganza at Showcase of Citrus — Clermont
When: Saturdays & Sundays, March 14 – April 5 · 11am–5pm Where: Showcase of Citrus · 5010 US-27, Clermont Ages: All ages
Hunt through the citrus groves to find 12 filled eggs per ticket holder. Photos with the Easter Bunny (you get a printed keepsake), festive photo spots, and specialty drinks for the adults. This runs every weekend through Easter, so you’ve got multiple chances.
Egg Hunt Storytime — Clermont
When: Thursday, April 2 Where: Marion Baysinger Memorial Library, Clermont Cost: Free Ages: Young children
Easter storytime featuring live bunnies and chickens, a story, and an egg hunt at the library. A sweet, gentle event for the littlest ones.
Easter Eggstravaganza — Wildwood
When: Saturday, April 4 Where: Millennium Park, Wildwood Cost: Free Ages: 12 and under
Free admission, egg hunts, games, prizes, and photos with the Easter Bunny. This is the big community event for the Wildwood area, right next to The Villages.
Rock-N-Roll Easter Train — Williston
When: Saturday, April 4 · Gates open at 10am Where: Kirby Family Farm · 19630 NE 30th St, Williston Cost: Varies (check website) Ages: All ages
This is the 9th annual Easter Train, and it’s a full-day production: ride a historic locomotive, collect Easter eggs along the way, then stick around for a petting zoo, magic shows, an antique carousel and Ferris wheel, live music, and free photos with the Easter Bunny. One of the more unique Easter events in the region.
Town of Howey Annual Easter Egg Dash — Howey-in-the-Hills
When: Saturday, April 4 Where: Howey-in-the-Hills Cost: Free Ages: Kids
Easter Egg Dash, Golden Egg Hunt, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. A small-town event with that community feel.
Mount Dora Library Easter Egg Hunt — Mount Dora
When: Saturday, April 4 Where: W.T. Bland Public Library · 1995 N Donnelly St, Mount Dora Cost: Free (bring a canned good for Lake Cares Food Pantry) Ages: 10 and under
The Easter Bunny arrives on a Mount Dora fire truck. That alone is worth the trip. Add sno-cones, face painting, balloon artists, and cotton candy, and you’ve got a proper Easter morning. Bring a non-perishable canned good to donate.
Build a Bunny at Spring Hop Fest — Eustis
When: Saturday, April 4 · 11am Where: The Crazy Apron, Eustis Market Cost: Varies
Spring-themed family activity — build a stuffed bunny at the Spring Hop Fest.
5th Annual Easter Glow Hunt — Dunnellon
When: Saturday, April 4 · 6–9pm Where: Rainbow Lakes Estates · 4030 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon Cost: Free
Glow-in-the-dark egg hunt after sunset. If your kids (or you) love the novelty of hunting for glowing eggs in the dark, this is the one.
Hoppity’s Easter Egg Hunt — Silver Springs Shores
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 Where: Silver Springs Shores Community Center · 590 Silver Road, Ocala Cost: Free Ages: 2–13 (age-grouped hunts)
10,000 eggs. Three age-grouped hunts: ages 2–5 at 10:30am, ages 6–13 at 11am, and an Aqua Egg Hunt for all ages at noon. Plus photos with Hoppity, a bounce house, train rides, crafts, music, cotton candy, and snowcones. One of the biggest free Easter events in Marion County.
Easter Egg Hunt & Craft Fair — Anthony
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · 9am–1pm Where: Anthony Community Park · 2150 E Anthony Rd, Anthony Cost: Free
Annual community egg hunt and craft fair just north of Ocala.
Cross Ridge Church Easter Egg Hunt — Lecanto
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · 11am–2pm Where: Cross Ridge Church · 965 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto Cost: Free Ages: Kids
Egg hunt, games, bounce house, and food. A good option for families in Citrus County.
Easter Egg Hunt & Carnival — River Life Church, Dunnellon
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · 4–6pm Where: River Life Church · 2872 W Dunnellon Rd, Dunnellon Cost: Free Ages: 0–12 (age-grouped hunts)
If your Easter morning is busy, this late-afternoon option at River Life Church gives you an egg hunt plus carnival activities. Pre-registration required.
Cannon Farm Easter Egg Hunt — Dunnellon
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · 11am–4pm (egg hunt at noon) Where: Cannon Farms · 11801 SW 180th Ave, Dunnellon Cost: $5 admission (ages 3 and under free) Ages: All ages
Egg hunt at noon, plus craft vendors, food trucks, live music, bounce houses, face painting, hayrides, a petting zoo, flower picking, and a play area. The $5 admission covers the hayride, play area, inflatables, live music, and photo ops. One of the best value-packed Easter events in the area.
Easter Brunch & Dining
If brunch is your Easter tradition, you’ve got some strong options this year.
Easter Brunch at The Equestrian Manor — World Equestrian Center, Ocala
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · Morning seatings Where: The Equestrian Manor at World Equestrian Center · 8510 NW 17th Lane, Ocala
The newest venue at WEC is hosting a buffet-style Easter brunch with a wide selection, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and festive Easter gifts for kids. If you haven’t been to the Equestrian Manor yet, this is a good excuse.
Easter Brunch at Hilton Ocala
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · 11am–3pm Where: Hilton Ocala · 3600 SW 36th Ave, Ocala
Brunch buffet with a carving station featuring maple-glazed ham and prime rib, plus seafood, a full spread of mains, and a tempting dessert table. The kids’ Easter egg hunt kicks off at noon. This one books up — call ahead.
Easter Buffet at The Waterfront Inn — The Villages
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · Multiple seatings Where: The Waterfront Inn · Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages
Festive Easter buffet with classic holiday dishes and lake views at Lake Sumter Landing. Multiple seatings available throughout the day.
Easter Brunch at Hotel Eastport — The Villages
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 · Multiple seatings starting at 10am Where: Hotel Eastport · The Villages
Holiday brunch with multiple seatings. Reserve early — Villages dining on Easter Sunday fills fast.
Easter Grand Brunch Buffet at Mission Resort + Club — Howey-in-the-Hills
When: Easter Sunday, April 5 Where: Mission Resort + Club · Howey-in-the-Hills
Grand buffet with chef carving stations, breakfast favorites, fresh seafood, savory entrees, desserts, and an ice cream sundae station. Worth the drive to Howey-in-the-Hills if you want to make a day of it.
Easter Weekend Activities & Festivals
Not everything happening Easter weekend is strictly Easter-themed, but these are worth knowing about if you’re planning a full weekend.
Lead Foot City Easter Drift Fest — Brooksville
When: Saturday, April 4 · 2pm Where: Lead Foot City · 17109 Old Ayers Rd, Brooksville
Drifting, a car-truck-bike meet, food trucks, and an Easter festival rolled into one. If your family leans more horsepower than bunny rabbits, this is your Easter weekend.
Running of the Squares 5K — The Villages
When: Saturday, April 4 · 8am Where: Spanish Springs Town Square, The Villages
The third and final race of The Villages 2025–26 5K Road Race Series. Open to everyone — no Villages residency required. $25 registration through March 29, $40 after. Custom finisher medal for all participants. Packet pickup is April 3 at Laurel Manor Recreation Center.
Beautify Brooksville — Brooksville
When: Saturday, April 4 Where: Downtown Brooksville
Biannual community volunteer day with landscaping, painting, and pressure washing around downtown. Not an Easter event per se, but if you’re in Brooksville that Saturday and want to pitch in, it’s a good way to meet neighbors.
Spring Strings Concert: Classern Quartet — Ocala
When: Saturday, April 18 · Gates at 3:30pm, concert at 5pm Where: Sholom Park · 7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala Cost: Free
Not Easter weekend, but close enough to include. The Classern Quartet performs pop and rock classics reimagined for a string quartet. Bring lawn chairs, a picnic, and friends. Food trucks on site. Free admission — no entry after 5:15pm.
Plan Your Easter Weekend
A few practical notes to help things go smoothly:
Weather: Early April in Central Florida averages highs in the low 80s with a chance of afternoon showers. Bring sunscreen, hats, and a light rain layer for outdoor egg hunts. Morning events tend to have the best weather.
Book brunch now. Easter brunch in this area sells out, especially at the more popular spots like World Equestrian Center and Hilton Ocala. If you want a table, don’t wait.
Pre-register where required. Several egg hunts (Leesburg Animal Park, River Life Church, the Sensory Hunt in Ocala) require advance registration. Spots fill quickly, especially for the age-grouped hunts.
Parking at popular events: The bigger events at Millennium Park in Wildwood, Kirby Family Farm, and Showcase of Citrus can draw crowds. Arrive early for the best parking, or plan to walk a bit.
Bring a basket. Most egg hunts expect kids to bring their own basket or bag for collecting eggs. Some provide bags, but bring one just in case.
Check before you go. Dates and times were current as of mid-March 2026. Weather cancellations and schedule changes happen, so check event pages or call ahead — especially for outdoor events.
Know of an Easter event we missed? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
