Easter Sunday falls on April 5 this year, which means the whole weekend, Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, is packed with things to do across metro Detroit. Whether you’re hunting for a free egg hunt close to home, a fun farm experience, a sit-down Easter brunch or just a good park to run around in, here’s a practical rundown of what’s happening and what to keep in mind.
Farm fun this weekend
A Hoppin’ Good Time at Blake’s Backyard Almont
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Blake’s Backyard, Almont (Macomb County), 5600 Van Dyke Rd
Kids can enjoy egg hunts, bunny snuggles, free face painting and Easter crafts throughout the day. Parents can grab food or drinks at the taproom while the kids are occupied. This is a ticketed event with prices that vary. Check blakefarms.com for details and to purchase in advance.
Easter Eggstravaganza at Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, Armada (Macomb County), 17985 Armada Center Rd
At the Armada location, kids can hunt for colorful eggs, take photos with the Easter Bunny and ride the train through the orchard. Families can also enjoy free face painting, Easter crafts and treats from the Cider Mill. This is also a ticketed event, prices vary by selection. Visit blakefarms.com for tickets and details.
Both Blake’s locations are in Macomb County and can be paired into a full farm day if you’re up north. Just note that both require advance tickets, don’t plan to walk up.
Egg hunts: What’s happening and where
Easter Egg Hunt at Central United Methodist Church
10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford (Oakland County)
A classic, free community egg hunt on the church’s park-like grounds. The hunt starts promptly at 10 a.m. and runs rain or shine. Parents must stay with their children. Arrive a little early and bring boots or rain gear in case eggs are hidden in wet areas. Open to all ages, no registration required. Free.
Canterbury Village Helicopter Egg Drop
Multiple sessions, Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, Canterbury Village, Lake Orion (Oakland County), 2325 Joslyn Rd
One of the more unique Easter events in the area. Eggs fall from a helicopter for kids to collect. Beyond the drop, there’s a petting zoo, magic shows and photos with the Easter Bunny. Bring your own basket. Advance tickets are required, no walk-ups are allowed. Tickets are $13.99 per person plus tax and processing fees, with an additional cost for monster truck rides. Parking is free. Multiple sessions run across both days with times varying by ticket selection. Visit the Canterbury Village website at the link above for tickets and to pick your session time.
Spring Fest Lunch with Bunny at Saline Recreation Center
Noon-1 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Saline Recreation Center, Saline (Washtenaw County), 1866 Woodland Dr. Saline, MI
A fun, kid-friendly lunch after the egg hunt with pizza and snacks. Families can take photos and share wishes with the Bunny. Bring your camera. Registration is required for all attendees — no walk-ins are allowed. Cost is $10 for residents, $12 for non-residents and free for ages 1 and younger with a paying adult. Visit the Saline Recreation Center registration link for details.
Easter Egg Hunt at Macomb Place
7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 4, Macomb Place, Mount Clemens (Macomb County), Macomb Pl, Mt Clemens, MI
An evening option for families who want to close out Saturday with something festive. This free community event includes egg collecting, candy exchanges and a scavenger hunt kids will love. Families can take photos with Peter Rabbit and Mrs. Rabbit and enjoy balloon art entertainment. Open to all ages. Free admission.
Free Easter bunny photos
Easter Bunny Photos at The Village of Rochester Hills
Noon-5 p.m. Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, Festival Park, The Village of Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills (Oakland County), 3570 N. Crooks Rd
A free, no-reservation-needed photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny in an outdoor festival setting. The village’s shops and restaurants are right there, making it easy to turn this into a full afternoon. Just walk up, no booking required.
Something different: The Marshmallow Drop
Marshmallow Drop at Elizabeth Park and Nankin Mills Park
9 a.m.-noon, Friday, April 3, Elizabeth Park, 4461 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton; Nankin Mills Park, 33275 Edward N Hines Dr, Westland (Wayne County)
Not an egg hunt, but just as exciting for kids. Wayne County Parks is hosting this free event where marshmallows fall from a helicopter for children to collect. Kids can join age-based drops and search for a special marshmallow to win a prize. No registration is required. The Elizabeth Park session runs 9-10 a.m. at 4461 Elizabeth Drive in Trenton, and the Nankin Mills Park session runs 11 a.m.-noon. Head to waynecountymi.gov/Parks for more details.
Where to eat this weekend
Easter weekend dining in metro Detroit runs the full range, from casual bunny brunches to relaxed family dinners. Here’s a mix of options for different parts of the weekend.
Saturday morning with the bunny
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Ike’s Restaurant
9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, 38550 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights
Ike’s Restaurant is hosting an Easter Bunny Brunch on Saturday, April 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy crafts and spring-themed Easter games and fun. Adults are $27 and kids are $17. Children under 3 are free. Reserve through eventbrite.com ahead of time, this one requires advance tickets.
Rainforest Cafe Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 4, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, 4310 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills
Rainforest Cafe at Great Lakes Crossing is hosting a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 4, starting at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy an array of delicious breakfast foods in the jungle setting with photos with the Easter Bunny. Check the Rainforest Cafe website or Great Lakes Crossing Outlets for tickets and full details.
Easter Sunday brunch
Most of the full Easter brunch spreads in metro Detroit run on Sunday, April 5 rather than Saturday. If you’re planning a sit-down family brunch for the actual holiday, here are a few confirmed options.
Granite City Food & Brewery
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 699 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy
A brunch buffet running through the early afternoon with whiskey-glazed salmon, carved ham, eggs Florentine, omelet and French toast stations, peel-and-eat shrimp, pastries and fruit. Prices are $36 for adults and $12 for kids. Call ahead or visit gcfb.com to reserve.
Lunch and dinner standbys
Buddy’s Pizza
Multiple metro Detroit locations
If you want to keep things easy and distinctly Detroit, Buddy’s is a reliable choice with a kids menu and a welcoming atmosphere. A Detroit tradition for generations, Buddy’s is the birthplace of Detroit-style pizza and has locations throughout metro Detroit. The original location on Conant Street in Detroit is still open. The square pies are a genuine local experience worth introducing to out-of-town family visiting for the holiday. Check buddyspizza.com for hours and the location nearest to you.
Parks and playgrounds worth a stop
Not every family wants a structured event. If you need somewhere to let the kids burn off energy between activities, or just want to take advantage of a mild spring afternoon, here are a few solid outdoor options across the region.
Belle Isle Park
99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit
Belle Isle Park is a 985-acre island park located in the Detroit River near downtown Detroit, rich with natural beauty and historical and cultural resources. Playgrounds at Kid’s Row and the Belle Isle Nature Center are great year-round destinations for kids of all ages, with swings, tunnels, slides and accessible play equipment surrounded by fresh air and river views.
A few things to know before you go: The James Scott Memorial Fountain plaza is closed through 2026 for renovation, with a reopening slated for spring 2027. Shelters 2 and 8 are also closed for the season. All vehicles entering Belle Isle State Park are required to have a Michigan Recreation Passport. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Innovation Hills Park (Commerce Township)
2800 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills
Innovation Hills Park has a 3-acre nature-themed playground for families combining fun with an adventurous spirit, featuring an inclusive playground, waterfall, geocaching and a kayak landing. The park also has a paved mile-long boardwalk with glowing pavement and solar lighting. A good option if you want a destination playground that feels different from a standard neighborhood park.
Friendship Park (Lake Orion)
3380 Clarkston Road, Orion Charter Township
Friendship Park has one of the biggest and best playgrounds in metro Detroit, especially for kids who are past the toddler years, with a large three-story play structure, tunnel slides, a climbing wall, bridges and a wheelchair-friendly accessible section.
Hess-Hathaway Park (Waterford)
825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford
Hess-Hathaway Park in Waterford combines play with a farm experience. The park features traditional playground equipment alongside farm-themed play structures. After some playtime, families can visit the park’s animal exhibit, where kids can meet and learn about various farm animals and see the historical farmhouse. There are also nature trails and picnic areas. A good low-key option if you’re already in the Waterford area for the Central Church egg hunt.
Before you head out
- A few things worth knowing before the weekend gets started.
- Several of the bigger events on this list, Canterbury Village’s helicopter egg drop, both Blake’s locations and Ike’s Easter Bunny Brunch, require advance tickets. Canterbury Village does not allow walk-ups at all, so if you’re planning to go, buy before you get there.
- For any egg hunt on this list, bring a basket or bag unless the event specifically says one is provided. Most don’t.
- If you’re planning to visit Belle Isle, all vehicles entering the park are required to have a Michigan Recreation Passport. You can purchase one through the DNR website before you go.
- Easter weekend dining fills up fast. If you have a specific restaurant in mind for Sunday brunch, call ahead or check for reservations now, spots at popular spots like the Royal Park Hotel and Ike’s go quickly.
