Events, activities and ideas to make Easter with family and friends an unforgettable moment

Easter is the Christian holiday that celebrates the day Jesus returned from the dead after being hanged on a cross. The holidays are often the marker that kicks off spring gardening and that warmer weather is on the way.

While Easter Sunday is the big day, the holiday is a week-long affair, known as Holy Week, consisting of certain events and traditions of the Christian religion.

The week begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, and ends on Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday.

Throughout the week, Christians often participate in various ceremonies, including the washing of feet, the gathering of palm leaves, and abstaining from meat.

Christians generally describe Easter as a foundation of their faith and the reason behind the belief that Jesus rose again, fulfilling the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament.

Religious or not, the holiday is often filled with family, friends and food.

If you’re not singing “This is Peter Cottontail,” it may be because you don’t know about all the fun and festive events, activities, and services happening to celebrate the holidays.

So take a moment to check out this list of Easter events and services that take place before and during the Easter weekend, or some activities you can do at home to celebrate the Easter holiday.

Easter Events

Easter egg hunts aren’t just for kids. Adults are invited to participate in The Great Grown UP Golden Egg Hunt starting Monday online. Hosted by the Northern Colorado Credit Union, adults 21 and older will solve daily clues to win one of two prizes. The event is free and more information, including rules and a game card, can be found by going to https://bit.ly/3NM5J9K.

Dust off your Easter baskets and head to the Fort Collins Marketplace Easter event Saturday noon on College Avenue and Horsetooth Road. Participating merchants will be handing out treat-filled eggs while supplies last. Festivities will include face painting, balloon twisting, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3DN7mzy.

The Ranch Event Complex is hosting a Spring Craft and Gift Show from 2 p.m. Friday, April 15 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland. In addition to craft and art vendors, attendees can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt for a chance to win $1,000 cash. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3u7aUcq.

Westview Church of Christ is hosting a free Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at 4151 W. 20th St., Greeley. All ages are welcome to come and enjoy games, prizes, food, treats and a visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3qZ1m1u.

Meet at Sweet Heart Winery at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for Easter Wine and Chocolate Pairing at 5500 W. Highway 34, Loveland. The event will feature four wines paired with decadent chocolate from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The event is open to adults 21 and older and tickets are $41.94 per person. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3JawPnA.

A community egg hunt is due to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday April 16 at Bromley Farm, 1594 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton. The event will feature three different egg hunts by age group, crafts, egg coloring, baby animals, burlap sack races and more. The free event is open to all ages. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3KcrhKn.

Enjoy Easter brunch and cuddle time with a variety of farm animals at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 17 at Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, 8640 Dahlia St., Henderson. Attendees of all ages are invited to sample Way Veg dishes and mingle with piglets, lambs, calves and more. Tickets are $27.24 per person. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3x0cKOp.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt at Wiley Roots Brewing Co. is scheduled for noon on Saturday, April 16 at 625 3rd. St., Greeley. Adults 21 and over are invited to participate in the collection of five eggs with the purchase of a complete casting. Around 500 eggs will be hidden around the brewery for participants to find and win prizes. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3u4eQuB.

The Great Village at the Peaks Easter Egg Hunt takes place daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1250 S. Hover Road, Longmont. Participants will hunt 60 hidden painted eggs for a chance to win prizes such as gift cards, free meals and $1,000 in cash. For more information or to print a game board, go to https://bit.ly/3Kcw6mX.

Celebrate Easter with the White Horse Inn at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 17 at 2750 8th Ave., Garden City. The festivities will include $10 bingo boards, free billiards, a golden egg hunt and egg-filled prizes. The event is open to adults 21 and older. For more information, contact the White Horse Inn at (970) 356-5386.

Easter masses

If you are looking for a Good Friday, Easter Sunday or even Saturday service, there is no shortage of churches in Greeley, Windsor, around Weld and Larimer counties and beyond. Whether you’re looking for sunrise service, a kid-friendly event, or Spanish service, check out these deals that are about to take place.

The 75th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at the Red Rock Amphitheater is scheduled to take place in person at 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison. Doors open at 4:30 a.m. and service begins at 6 a.m. Participants are advised to arrive early and dress warmly. Seats can be reserved by going to https://bit.ly/3j4Qfzz. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3fpz37m.

Celebrate Good Friday with Windsor Community Church at 6:30 p.m. at 700 Automation Drive. Easter Sunday service will be at 10:15 a.m. at Windsor High School, 1100 Main Street. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.windsorchurch.org.

Connections Christian Church is holding a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. and an Easter Sunday service at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. at Roosevelt High School, 616 N. 2nd St., Johnstown. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.connections.cc.

Journey Christian Church will offer four different Easter services — 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. — Sunday at 4754 W. 31st St., Greeley. The 6 a.m. service will be held outdoors, so attendees are encouraged to dress for the cold weather and bring a lawn chair. All ages are welcome to attend one of the four services. For more information, visit www.journeychristian.org.

Easter at Christ Community Church is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at 1301 15th St., Greeley. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.cccgreeley.org.

Grace Community Church offers services Easter Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sundays at 2033 WS 1st St., Johnstown. The 10:15 a.m. service will feature children and youth ministries. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.graceconnect.com.

Greeley Vineyard Church will host three Easter Sunday services — 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — at 1015 9th Ave. All ages of new and returning members are welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.greeleyvineyard.org.

Easter at the Restoration Church is set for 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland hotel, conference center and spa, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland. All ages are invited to enjoy singing, prayer and more. For more information, visit www.restorationchurch.online.

Traverse Christian Church will hold an Easter service at 9 a.m. Sunday at 810 Automation Drive in Windsor. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.traversechristian.com.

Celebrate Easter with City Lights Church at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday at 4100 20th St., Greeley. The services are open to all ages and will include Crumbl Cookies, a children’s service and a photo space. For more information, visit www.citylights.church.

Easter activities

Of course, you can always choose to celebrate the holidays at home with family and friends. Here are some fun and creative activities that will make your Easter party unforgettable.

Guess the number of jelly beans is a fun and easy indoor game for all ages. Simply fill a jar with brightly colored candies (be sure to count them while filling) and ask each family member and guest to give their best guess. The winner closest to the number without going over it receives the entire pot as a prize.

Go for an old-fashioned game of egg and spoon racing. You can use hard-boiled or raw eggs, depending on how much mess you want to clean up, and a metal or wooden spoon. Races can be individual or relay style to take the competition to the next level.

Make Easter easy by hosting a potluck with your friends and family. Ask each guest to bring a side dish, salad, dessert or other item. Get take-out containers from the Dollar Store to pack up and share leftovers with the crowd.

Like gingerbread houses at Christmas, get kids and teens involved in building Peeps houses. You can use graham crackers for the walls and roof and frosting to glue everything together. Arrange a variety of decorations such as jelly beans, sprinkles, colored frosting and other candies.

Instead of spending the afternoon in the kitchen cooking the traditional ham or lamb, have a late afternoon picnic with bites, sandwiches, fries and dip, fruit and other portable foods. Bring a blanket, some fun books for the kids to read, some outdoor games, and enjoy the vacation in the sun.

It’s not really Easter without colored eggs. Make the project easier by setting up egg coloring outside on the lawn or driveway. Break out the sidewalk chalk for a full day of coloring and creativity for family members of all ages.

Not really a fan of boiled eggs? So opt for decorating cupcakes. You can make or buy vanilla cupcakes and decorate them with brightly colored sprinkles and sugar, marshmallows, food coloring, candy, and other fun edible items. For a great vanilla cupcake recipe, check out The Pioneer Woman at https://bit.ly/37iMQdC.