With Easter just around the corner, it’s worth looking at how the US celebrates this festive time. It bears quite a semblance with Christmas. Often, in a large number of communities, the Christian part of the holiday has esteemed church services, Passion Plays, and more. Then comes the traditional Easter Bunny, the visits, parades, and not to forget- the hunt for eggs replete with candies!
So When Is Easter This Year?
Check the lunar calendar, and you will know the exact date when Easter is likely to fall this year. Usually, it is the first Sunday after the full moon, following the vernal or spring equinox. After going through the records thoroughly, last year, Easter was on April 12, while this year, it is on April 4. And in 2022, Easter will fall on April 17.
What Kind Of Religious Services Take Place During Easter?
Since Easter is a vital date in the Christian calendar, the community ensures that the celebration of the occasion is with great enthusiasm. You can certainly expect most churches based throughout the country to organize specific and special services through the Holy Week.
Mostly the Catholic churches arrange for wide-ranging celebrations. If you ask your grandparents, they would tell you about the traditional belief of beginning on Palm Sunday, which is just a week before Easter. And then the prayer services that would take place on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Some churches have become renowned simply because of Easter services. The National Cathedral in Washington DC, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, St. Louis cathedral based in New Orleans, and the Basilica of the National Shrine top the list of churches famous for their Easter services. Upon visiting these places during Easter, you would be greeted with lavish vigilance and people all around.
What Is Implied By Secular Activities?
Here in the US, Easter is a grand occasion. There’s no shortage of options to observe this special day, from parades and visits from the Easter Bunny to rolls and egg hunts. The country is witness to a very popular secular Easter event called ‘White House Easter Egg Roll.’
This has been a traditional practice since 1878 when President Rutherford B. Hayes was in power. Alongside, you might find people engaging in festivities like Union Street Spring Celebration, Easter Parade in San Francisco and Easter Parade, and the Bonnet Festival in New York.
Special Events You Can Attend
You love your ‘mimosa brunches’ as much as your ‘midnight masses.’ And that’s exactly what you can afford to have while being on a visit to the USA at the time of Easter. In major US cities, the festivities keep varying.
Los Angeles
Pershing Square in Downtown is witness to the massive egg hunt. That’s not all! The ancient Blessing of Animals (wherein domestic dogs, cats, and rabbits are present) is held at Olvera Street, situated in LA’s Little Mexico. Against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, you can try imagining what it would feel like experiencing brunch cruises.
Chicago
Going by reports from WalletHub, Chicago contains the sixth-highest Easter observers in the US. No wonder there are endless events that keep happening in the Windy City. A special mention would the Easter egg hunt, themed around medieval times. The hunt that features about 25,000 eggs happens every year at Maggie Daley Par. The Lincoln Park Zoo arranges numerous exciting events for their guests every year, making it a must-visit place.
Orlando
How do we forget Universal Studios and Walt Disney World? Akin to a ‘mecca’ for globetrotters of all age groups, the amusement parks provide on-theme parades, brunch buffets, egg hunts, and of course, the usual meet-and-greets.
If that’s not enough, Epcot from Disney World arranges its annual celebration called International Flower and Garden festival, for no less than a month! Besides these, there are Easter activities for little kids too.
New Orleans
The holiday spirit is equally great like any other city in New Orleans, even if it’s not ‘bustling’ with activities always. You might see people in colorful costumes, grooving to live music for the annual Historic French Quarter parade when it passes by Jackson Square, St. Louis cathedral, and more.
Which city do you want to visit this Easter? No matter the city you choose, there will be no shortage of fun-filled festivities.