Area events planned around Eastern are listed below.
For most of the hunts, parents are cautioned to let their children hunt on their own — without adult help in finding eggs. Some locations may allow parents to accompany young children as long as the parents don’t hunt. Guarantees are not given for egg-finding. Also for the majority of eastern NC events listed, children should bring a basket with them for collecting what they find.
Food may either be free or available for purchase at most of these events.
Contact information or a link has been included. Check with the organizers for any event questions, or to check for schedule changes.
Note that Easter is Sunday, April 1, 2018. Events below are in advance of Easter. Church sermons and special services are not included in this list.
Are we missing a public Easter-oriented event or egg hunt? Let the editor know.
Bailey NC: Flashlight Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 7pm
Join the fun at this unique Easter egg hunt for all ages. There will also be free food. Held at 8021 New Sandy Hill Church Road, Bailey NC. The church is on Facebook here.
Castalia NC: Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 11am-1pm
Celebrate Easter with fun games, giveaways, hot dogs, and an Easter Egg Hunt at this safe, family-friendly event. Held at Cedar Rock First Baptist Church, 4879 NC Hwy 56 E, Castalia NC. The church is on Facebook here.
Fayetteville NC: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Easter Egg Scramble
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 7:30-11:30am
Both events are organized by the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation and held at 100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville NC.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be served 7:30-9:30am. Breakfast pricing is $10 per adult, $5 per child 3-12, with children 2 and under free with a paying adult. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be available. Breakfast will consist of two pancakes, a sausage patty, juice or milk, and coffee for the adults. Make breakfast reservations at shop.asomf.org or by calling 910.643.2778/2773.
Easter Egg Scramble is free, with age groups up to ten years old. See Easter Egg Scramble schedule and more at www.asomf.org/event/breakfast-with-the-easter-bunny-and-easter-egg-scramble.
Garner NC: Spring Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-12:30pm
Egg hunts for multiple age groups, plus vendors, games, music, crafts, the Easter Bunny, and more. Organized by Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, the Spring EGGstravaganza will be held at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner NC. For more information including age groups and schedule, see www.garnernc.gov.
Goldsboro NC: Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
Join the fun at Herman Park, 901 E Ashe Street, Goldsboro NC. This is a free event with fun for the whole family. There will be free food, inflatables, games, the egg hunt, ad more. Organized by Bethel Church and Goldsboro Parks and Rec. See www.goldsboroparksandrec.com/cpt_cog_events/easter-eggstravaganza and www.bethelchurch.info/events.
Knightdale NC:
Easter Eggstraordinaire for Kids
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-12:30pm
This egg hunt will offer 3 Easter Egg Hunts for ages 0-3, 4-5, and 6-8. The hunt begins at 11am sharp. Hunt for eggs, take photos with the Easter Bunny, grab a snack and enjoy music and activities, including train rides. Activities and music will be available from 10am-12:30pm. There will be signage to designate the ages assigned to each area. Bring a basket to this rain, shine, or cold weather egg hunt. Kids must hunt alone; parent/guardian must be at site.
Update: The location has been changed to “Field 2” at Knightdale Station Park, 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale NC. See info on the town website here.
Paws in The Park Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 9:30am
A treat-filled-egg hunt for dogs and puppies. Held at the Ashley Wilder Dog Park at Knightdale Station Park, 810 North First Avenue, Knightdale NC. This event is free and no pre-registration is required. Free Frisbee and goody bag for the first 125 dogs. Dogs must be on a leash, non-aggressive, and have up-to-date rabies tag/certificate. See more on the town website here.
Louisburg NC:
Louisburg UMC Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 1-2:30pm
This free event is being held at Louisburg United Methodist Church, 402 N Main Street, Louisburg NC. Join the fun at this annual Easter Egg Hunt. Bring a basket to find and collect candy eggs. Enjoy a fun day with community members; all are welcome. There will be separate areas for egg hunts by age. Special “Golden Bunny” to find. The church is on Facebook here.
Hill-King UMC Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 2pm
Bring friend, kids with baskets, to Hill-King United Methodist Church, 1839 NC-39 S, Louisburg NC. The church is on Facebook here.
Raleigh NC:
While there are many events in Raleigh, only this one is included in this Eastern NC list. It’s been included because of the unusual way eggs will be distributed for the hunt.
Helicopter Easter Egg Drop
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
Held by Southbridge Fellowship. Kick off Easter weekend with an Easter Eggstravaganza at Pine Hollow Middle School, 5365 Bartram Place, Raleigh NC. Watch as thousands of eggs drop from a helicopter in the sky, covering the school’s football field. This is a family-friendly event for all ages to seek out candy/treat-filled eggs. Plus, enjoy inflatables, games, food trucks, and more. More information here.
Rocky Mount NC: Easter Eggstravaganza
Sunday, March 25, 2018 @ 2-4pm
Held at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Grab a basket and join Rocky Mount’s largest Easter egg hunt. Egg hunts are divided into specific age groups from infants through age 12. There will be “golden eggs” hidden as part of the hunts, plus inflatable games, free admission to the Children’s museum, and free hot dog combos while they last. Egg hunts for each group will be held in different locations around the Imperial Centre campus. Maps will be available at the event. See details at imperialcentre.org/events/easter-eggstravaganza.
Selma NC: The Great Egg Scramble
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10-11am
This free, annual event by Selma Parks and Rec will be held at Selma Middle School, 1533 US Highway 301 N, Selma NC. Children 10 and younger are invited to grab a basket and search for colorful eggs “left behind by Peter Cotton Tail.” Egg hunts will be held for three age groups. Prizes will be awarded for children in each age-group who find “special” eggs. The bunny will be on visiting and those with cameras/smart phones may take photos. In case of rain, the egg hunt will move inside and still take place.
Sims NC: Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
A day of food and fun for the entire family at the church’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. In addition to the egg hunt, there will be hot dogs, inflatables, crafts, and more. Held at Nobles Chapel Baptist Church, 7330 Old Raleigh Road, Sims NC. The church is on Facebook here.
Smithfield NC: Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, March 25, 2018 @ 3pm
Bring the kids, with baskets, out to collect eggs at the Smithfield Community Park, 600 E Booker Dairy Road, Smithfield NC. The Easter Bunny will be there, and some may receive prizes for egg collecting. Be on time. See the town Parks and Rec event page for the notice.
Spring Hope NC: Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-noon
First Baptist Church is having a Community Easter Egg Hunt at the Spring Hope Park, 401 McLean Street, Spring Hope NC. Children of all ages are welcome. Enjoy the egg hunt, games, and crafts. The church is on Facebook here.
Tarboro NC: Easter Eggstravaganza Hunt
Thursday, March 29, 2018 @ 6-8pm
Join the fun with the egg hunt — including prize eggs — plus face painting art activities, a coloring contest, refreshments, an ice cream truck, and more. Held at Braswell Center/Park, 1501 Western Blvd, Tarboro NC. With questions, call the Braswell Center at 252.641.4210.
Wake Forest NC: Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-noon
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest NC. Parking at Joyner Park. There will be the egg hunts, arts and crafts, games, and a free raffle. Egg hunts available up to age 12, with a hunt for those with special needs. For more information on age groups and schedule, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/easter-egg-hunt.aspx.
Wendell NC:
Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ noon-2pm
This free, open-to-the-public Easter event includes egg hunts for ages 1-12, a petting zoo, face painting, the Easter Bunny, crafts, and many activities. Hosted by Kids Educational Center, 7421 Siemens Road, Wendell NC. Concessions available for purchase. The Center is on Facebook here.
The Passage Church Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 10am-noon
This free event will be held at Wendell Community Center, 601 W Third Street, Wendell NC. This year, in addition to the egg hunt, there will be inflatables and games, music, Muddy The Mudcat, and activities — more than ever before. Bring a backet or bucket and join the fun. Open to the public, so bring friends. The Brown Bag Bagels food truck will be there offering breakfast items for sale.
Wilson NC:
Easter On The Farm
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 10am-?
Join the fun with the first Easter Event at Deans Farm Market, 4231 NC Highway 42 W, Wilson NC. Tickets available in-advance for $10 per person for ages 2 through adult. Ticket includes: “indoor classroom with an engaging Farm story, Easter art and craft, short movie, holiday snack you can make, visit with our chicks on the Farm, take your own pictures with our Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt near our back playground (kids will be limited to 12 eggs and use our egg cartons they decorate in our classroom to collect their eggs to turn in for prizes), and Free-play on our playground.” See deansfarmmarket.com/events/annual-easter-event for available tickets/times.
Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ noon-3pm
Hosted by Hubert Vester Toyota, 3712 Raleigh Road Pkwy W, Wilson NC. Join the fun at this free event with an Easter egg hunt (starting at 2:30pm) and pictures with the Easter Bunny (noon-2pm). With questions, call at 252.291.5300.
Wilmington NC: Battleship Easter Egg Hunt Carnival
Friday, March 30, 2018 (Good Friday) @ 10am-2pm
Easter egg hunt, pony rides, inflatables games, and Buddy, the Battleship Easter Bunny. Egg hunts will be continuous throughout the day, weather permitting. Multiple hunts, including a slower-paced hunt area offering less stress for special needs children. Tickets are $5+tax per person for ages 3-99. Children 2 and under are free. Held at the Battleship North Carolina, 1 Battleship Road, Wilmington NC.
Vendor opportunities may still be available. For vendor information and other details, visit www.battleshipnc.com.
Zebulon NC:
WCBC Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 31, 2018 @ 11am-1pm
Annual event organized by and held at Wakefield Central Baptist Church (WCBC), 308 Proctor Street, Zebulon NC. Enjoy the Easter egg hunt, inflatables, and other activities for children through 6th grade. Lunch will be provided by the church. Bring the entire family.
Pictures with The Easter Bunny
Friday, March 23, 2018 @ 5:30-7pm
Bring your little one to the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. and receive a free 4×6 photo courtesy of Kent Massey Photography. Participants are asked to bring canned food items to donate the food bank. Zebulon Parks and Rec is on Facebook here.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am
Free event at the Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. This program is designed for children ages 2-9. Bring a basket. Zebulon Parks and Rec is on Facebook here.
Other
Check out the NC Aquarium’s Alligator Egg Hunt dates and details via this link. May sell out.
Ed. Note: This article, originally published on March 15, has been updated on March 21 with a Knightdale NC event location change.