If you are visiting Orlando and looking for something fun to do on Easter, there are some free events that might interest you. If a nearby church service doesn’t interest you, think about attending an Orlando area attraction – for FREE!
Free Admission into Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales will hold a sunrise service on Easter Sunday. Admission will be free from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. If you arrive after the service, general admission prices kick in. Tickets to this attraction are $12 for adults and $3 for children 5-12.
The Easter service will play seasonal music from the bell tower beginning at 6:30 a.m. Following the bells a bagpiper will play hymns, including the traditional favorite “Amazing Grace.” Lake Wale’s First Presbyterian Church reverand will deliver the sermon and more music will be performed. Appearances by The Lake Wales Brass and the Lake Wales Chorale groups will add to the 45-minute service.
If you are hungry, after the service stay and enjoy a buffet at the Blue Palmetto Cafe. Prices are $10.95 for adults and $7.95 for children under 12. Other hymns and carillon music will be played throughout the day. The Easter service has been a tradition since 1927.
Free Presentation of “The Passion of the Christ” at the Holy Land Experience
A very good way to spend Easter Sunday is to take your family to an inspiring movie…for free! The Holy Land Experience is offering three free showings of “The Passion of the Christ” on: Good Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. and on Easter Sunday, April 5 at 3:00 p.m. Even parking is free.
This does not include entrance into the main theme park, however, it does include parking outside the park’s Church of All Nations. 2,000 seats are available for the movie. ORLANDO TOURIST TIP: Since this free offer is on a first-come, first-served basis, be sure to arrive early.
The movie will be shown uncut and without interruption on a 60- by 20-foot high devinition screen. It was produced by Mel Gibson in 2004 and is known for its realistic portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixtion. If you’ve never seen the movie, it is highly recommended. The Holy Land Experience is located at 4655 Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32811.
Free Easter Egg Hunt
The City of Winter Park will host its 61st annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4 at 9:30 a.m. This is for families with children up to 10 years of age. ORLANDO TOURIST TIP: The hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m., so be sure to arrive early. Parking can be a challenge, so have patience!
Children with special needs are also encouraged to join in the fun. Over 10,000 eggs will be placed throughout Central Park. As always, children who come up empty handed will still be able to enjoy special treats at the designated candy area. The event takes place at the Central Park West Meadow in downtown Winter Park near the corner of New York Avenue & Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789
Other Important Attraction Dates
If you are looking ahead and want to mark your calendar, the following dates should be noted. So many new and exciting events are happening within the Orlando theme parks and attractions, it is hard to keep up with it all. Think of this as a “heads up” to coming special events.
- April 16: “Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High” show opens to the public at SeaWorld.
- April 18: Universal’s Mardi Gras closes.
- April 25: Skeletons: Animal Revealed attraction debuts at new I-Drive 360 complex.
- May 2: Waves of Glory, a Christian-music festival, returns to Wet ‘n Wild water park.
- May 3: “And Still We Rise” quilt exhibit closes at Orange County Regional History Center.
- May 4: The Orlando Eye observation wheel, Madame Tussauds wax museum and Sea Life Aquarium all open at I-Drive 360.
- May 9: Viva La Musica, a weekend festival with Latin cuisine and music, kicks off at SeaWorld.
- May 15: Legoland Hotel opens just outside the gate of Legoland Florida in Winter Haven.
- May 16: Star Wars Weekends begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- May 17: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival concludes. The final performers in the Garden Rocks concert series are Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone.
- May 22: Magic Kingdom stays open to guests for a 24-hour stretch, beginning at 6 a.m.
- June 13: “Mummies of the World” exhibit will start at the Orlando Science Center.
