Easter Sunday celebrations will be different this year with churches closed to congregations, restaurant dining rooms closed to customers and neighborhood Easter egg hunts canceled because of COVID-19.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday and the traditions that typically accompany it. Many Charlotte-area churches are offering Sunday service via livestream and several restaurants are offering Easter takeout meals. We also found a few virtual activities for kids!
Easter activities and treats for kids
Virtual Easter Egg Hunts:
Kids can help guide the Easter Bunny as he collects eggs during Hickory Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism’s virtual Easter Egg Hunt via Facebook Live at 4 p.m. Thursday. (link)
See farm animals and characters while the folks from 1870 Farm in Chapel Hill host a virtual Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday. (link)
[ How to make perfect hard-boiled eggs for Easter egg dyeing ]
Natural Easter Egg Dying Tutorial:
Learn to dye eggs the old-fashioned way and by using ingredients you already have at home from Historic Latta Plantation. (link)
Easter Cookie Decorating Kits:
Have fun decorating Easter-themed cookies with icing and toppings. Call in orders to Jazzy Cheesecakes at 980-859-7859 (link) or call or order online through Amélie’s French Bakery & Café (link).
Virtual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt - Join the ongoing nationwide hunt! Click here to see a map of general locations. Upload a photo of your Easter eggs here.
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Church services and sermons
Calvary Church
Good Friday service at 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday service at 9:45 a.m.
(link)
Christ Community Church
Good Friday service at noon
Easter Sunday service at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
(link)
Freedom House
Good Friday service at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Saturday service at 5 p.m.
Easter Sunday service at 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 7 p.m.
(link)
[ How you can help Charlotte community during coronavirus pandemic ]
Matthews United Methodist
Good Friday service at 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. (contemporary) and 11 a.m. (traditional)
(link)
Mecklenburg Community Church
Easter Sunday service at 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14, at noon and 7:30 p.m.
(link)
Myers Park Baptist Church
Good Friday service at noon and 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday service at 10 a.m.
(link)
The Park Church
Easter Sunday service at 9:45 a.m.
(link)
StoneBridge Church Community
Easter Sunday service at 10:20 a.m.
(link)
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m.
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday Mass at 10 a.m.
(link)
[ Andrea Bocelli to sing live from empty Duomo cathedral ]
Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will give a Good Friday message at 4 p.m. April 10. (link)
On television
First Presbyterian Church’s Easter Service at 11 a.m. on WAXN TV64
St. Patrick's Cathedral Easter Sunday Mass at 1 p.m. on WSOC-TV
Easter eats (lunch/dinner)
Aria (in uptown)
Easter meal includes braised lamb shank, vegetables, potatoes and more. Orders can be placed from 2-8 p.m. through Saturday by calling the restaurant at 704-376-8880. Delivery available through Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. (link)
Dressler’s (Birkdale and Metropolitan), Dogwood (South Park) and The Porter’s House (Waverly)
Choice of entrees include brown sugar glazed baked ham, roast leg of lamb, roasted salmon or chicken Florentine. All dinners come with mixed greens salad, house baked bread and lemon pound cake. Orders can be placed online until 2 p.m. Thursday for Saturday pickup. (link)
Reid’s Fine Foods
Breakfast, brunch and main course items available a la carte. Order by 1 p.m. Saturday. Call 704-377-7686 for South Park location or 704-377-1312 for Myers Park location. (link)
Sea Level (operating at sister restaurant The Waterman Fish Bar)
Menu includes one protein, three sides your choice extra side and optional dessert. Order by noon Thursday, online or by calling 704-275-5558. (link)
The Scratch Kitchen at Napa on Providence
Six-course prime rib or glazed ham dinners available. Order by Friday at 704-900-8535. All orders available for pickup Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (link)
Killingtons Restaurant
Easter meal includes ham, green bean casserole or mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad and more. Must order by Friday. For Huntersville location call 704-948-3770, or for Fort Mill location call 803-752-4030. (link)
[ More restaurants are offering Easter takeout meals ]