This year, Easter Sunday falls on March 31. Originally a Christian holiday that marked the resurrection of Christ, Easter has become synonymous with Easter egg hunts, chocolate giving, the Easter Bunny, and lavish brunches for many families. Whether you’re religious or not, here’s a roundup of Easter 2013 events happening around town next week and beyond.
Playing
Sun, Mar 31
Comptoirs de France Big Easter Egg Hunt
Ages 2-10. To take part in Comptoirs’ annual Big Easter Egg Hunt, kids must find an invitation coupon in one of the shop’s colored eggs (on sale until Mar 30). Register at any of Comptoirs’ locations, then show up on Mar 31 at East Lake Villas for the main event. The grand prizes are big chocolate animals. Free. 10am-noon.
Sun, Mar 31
TreeHouse Easter Egg Hunt
Ages 3+. TreeHouse hosts its first annual Easter egg hunt with games, egg decorating, seasonal crafts, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny at noon. Registration required. RMB 150. 11am-12.30pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Beijing Rego Easter Eggstravaganza
All ages. Beijing Rego British School hosts an Easter celebration with egg decorating and an Easter egg hunt around the school (begins at 10.15am). Pre-registration required before March 24. Free. 9-11am.
Sat, Apr 6
Kids’ Easter Event
All ages. Can’t make it to any Easter events on the weekend of Mar 30-31? No problem. That’s Mandarin hosts an Easter egg hunt in which kids can use their Chinese skills to find eggs. RSVP required by Apr 5. RMB 20. 3-5pm.
April 1-5
HoK Easter Camp
Ages 2-6. For Easter break, House of Knowledge International Kindergarten leads a camp filled with games, arts and crafts, sports, music, and more. Teachers are native English, Chinese, or German speakers. RMB 2,200 (full day), RMB 1,350 (half day), RMB 1,720 (half day with lunch), RMB 200 extra for school bus (dependent on availability). Times vary.
Dining
Sun, Mar 31
Aroma Easter Brunch
All ages. While the kids hunt eggs and receive chocolate from the Easter Bunny, feast on Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Southern Asian and Western dishes at Aroma. RMB 588, RMB 298 for ages 6-12, free for kids under 6 (prices subject to 15% surcharge). 11.30am-3pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter at InterContinental Beijing Beichen
All ages. This Easter brunch includes favorites like roast lamb, goose liver, Boston lobsters, hot cross buns, Italian Easter meat pie and Majeiritsa. RMB 398+ (subject to 15% surcharge). 11am-2.30pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Brunch at Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel
All ages. The Easter Bunny will keep little ones entertained with egg painting and face painting at SBDH’s brunch. RMB 428 (add RMB 60 for free-flow champagne), half price for ages 4-12, free for kids under 4. 11.30am-3pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Chocolate Egg Hunt at The St. Regis
All ages. Enjoy free-flow Veuve Clicquot champagne for brunch while the kids go on an Easter egg hunt and receive chocolate gifts. RMB 688. 11.30am-3pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Sunday Brunch at 360°
All ages. Let your kids loose in 360°’s playground; activities include egg painting, a chocolate egg hunt, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. RMB 338 (add RMB 60 for free-flow wine, beer and champagne), RMB 168 for ages 6-12, free for kids under 6. 11.30am-3pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Sunday Brunch at East 33
All ages. Special Easter dishes include smoked salmon with buckwheat blinis and sour cream, organic leg of lamb, braised beef cheeks with root veggies and olives, and more. Kids can participate in an Easter egg hunt and egg painting. RMB 228, free for kids under 5 and half price for ages 5-12. Noon-2.30pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Sunday Brunch at Kranzler’s
All ages. Expect bunnies, colored eggs, and an egg hunt for little ones at Kranzler’s Easter brunch. Treats include chocolate tarts, carrot and orange soufflés, and Belgian chocolate. RMB 498 (subject to 15% surcharge). 11.30am-3pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter Sunday Brunch at SALT
Ages 7+. Find chocolate eggs, homemade desserts, and free-flow drinks. RMB 278 for two courses (RMB 508 with free-flow drinks), RMB 308 for three courses (RMB 588 with free-flow drinks). Noon-4pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Happy Easter at The Westin Beijing Financial Street
All ages. The Westin Beijing Financial Street’s Bubbly Sunday Brunch undergoes an Easter facelift, with an Easter egg hunt, egg painting, cake decoration, and free-flow champagne/wine/beer/cocktails for the grownups. RMB 488, RMB 288 for ages 12 and under (prices subject to 15% surcharge). 10am-4pm.
Sun, Mar 31
Spring into Easter
All ages. The Easter Bunny has arrived at Kerry’s Kitchen! There will also be a special dessert station and activities for the whole family, including a clown performance, face painting, an egg hunt, and Easter prizes. RMB 298, RMB 188 for kids. 11.30am-3pm.
Fri, Mar 29-Sun, Mar 31
Easter Celebrations at Scene a Café
All ages. Enjoy “egg-cellent” Easter favorites like roast lamb and glazed ham while the kids play in the children’s corner and paint Easter eggs. RMB 288 (Easter Saturday brunch), RMB 488 (Easter Sunday brunch). Times TBA.
Sun, Mar 31
Easter at The Schoolhouse
All ages. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu hosts an Easter celebration with a buffet, live jazz, and an egg hunt for the kids. The Schoolhouse is offering a special room rate of RMB 2,288 for two people at its sister establishment, The Brickyard, for the night before (includes Easter brunch). RMB 288, RMB 168 (kids), free for ages 4 and under. 11am-3pm.
Religious Services
Fri, Mar 29
BICF Good Friday Service
All ages. Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF) holds a Good Friday service in English and Chinese. Free. 6-7pm (English service), 7.30-8.30pm (Chinese service).
Sun, Mar 31
He Is Risen: Celebrate Easter with BICF
All ages. This event combines two services in one: BICF’s regular Unity Sunday and Easter Sunday. Free. 9-10.30am (English service), 11am-12.30pm (Chinese service).
Sun, Mar 31
COGS Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Dinner
All ages. Right after its Sunday service, the Congregation of the Good Shepherd (COGS) holds an Easter egg hunt for the kids, followed by an Easter meal. Sign-up required. RMB 200 (regular adult tickets), RMB 100 (subsidized adult tickets), RMB 50 (kids aged 5-12). 10am.
Photo by USACE Europe District (Flickr)
