Guide to Easter in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 03/17/2016
Easter is not only a good time of year because you get to eat meat again, but it’s also a glimmer of hope that the weather is going to get better.
Easter is always a tad weird when it's in March. Nevertheless we have two weekends full of Easter activities.
We’re at a good start right now the way it has been, but on a similar statement, besides the religious element, kids get to utilize their best sleuth skills to search out Easter eggs….that apparently a rabbit hides. There’s history behind Zion’s as they host their 61st Annual Easter Egg Hunt this year.
Adults and kids alike are obsessed with brunch (Heck I know I am). All I can think about is steak and eggs with a side of roasted potatoes and an English muffin.
‘In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, you’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.’ Oh that’s right; parades are a part of this grand holiday. However, the only one Lake County has is Antioch’s 26th Annual Eggcellent Easter Adventure & Parade.
If you hadn’t guessed, this is your complete guide to Easter in Lake County.
Easter Parades in Lake County
Antioch's 26th Annual Eggcellent Easter Adventure & Parade March 26; 10:30 a.m.
The parade is set to begin at 10:30am. Immediately following the parade the Easter Egg hunt will begin on the baseball field at Williams Park for children ages 1-10. Children will receive 10 eggs each and have a chance to win 3 special Easter Baskets per age group. The cost is $3 per child up to Friday, March 28, 2015. The week of the event the ticket price is $5 per wristband. There will be no registration the day of the hunt.
Easter Brunch in Lake County
Bunny Brunch @ Lambs Farm
Fri-Sat, March 25-26; 9 a.m., 10;30 a.m. & noon
Join us for a delicious buffet at the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery then take a walk over to the Bunny Patch! At the Bunny Patch kids can enjoy Spring crafts, activities and a take a photo with the Easter bunny! Some of our Farmyard friends will also be available for petting and learning.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny @ Dave & Buster's Saturday, March 26; 8-11:55 a.m.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny includes a breakfast buffet with assorted danish and mini muffins, warm bagels served with cream cheese, whipped butter and jelly, scrambled eggs, crispy applewood smoked bacon, sausage, country fried potatoes, orange juice and coffee, a $10.00 Power Card to play games in the arcade, Easter themed activities & a visit with the Easter Bunny.
Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt @ Thunderhawk Sunday, March 27; Noon-2 p.m.
Bring the family out for a Easter Brunch at Thunderhawk. Reservations for seatings at 12pm & 2pm are being taken. Menu includes salads, fruit, a carving station, breakfast items, vegetables, potatoes, kid's items, dessert station and much more. There will also be drink specials. Children's Egg Hunt will be held from 1:30pm-2pm, so don't forget a basket to collect the eggs.
Easter Brunch @ 545 North Sunday March 27; 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Come out to 545 North for a delicious Easter Brunch. Menu will include a carving station, omelet station, Belgian waffles, bacon, potatoes, smoked salmon, bagels, muffins, desserts and much more. Please call for reservations.
Easter Brunch @ Beelow's Sunday, March 27; 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Brunch will feature a Prime Rib and smoked ham carving station, egg, omelet, pancake and waffle bar, crab legs, Harrison's All Natural Chicken, Salmon, Tilapia, Eggs Benedict, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, salads, homemade desserts and more. Reservations required. Regular menu will be offered after 2:30pm.
Easter Brunch @ Lindy's Sunday March 27; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
All items are served buffet style and includes an array of fresh salads, a delicious selection of breakfast items, egg-celent seafood dishes, a special buffet just for the kids, carving station with roast beef, lamb and ham and a generous assortment of desserts. The Easter Bunny will be at Lindy’s all day taking pictures with families and will have special treats for the kiddos. The dining deck will be available for outdoor seating and photos if the weather permits. Mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys will be on special for $6. Reservations required.
Easter Champagne Brunch @ Cadwell's Sunday, March 27; 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Call for reservations. This Easter Brunch includes a traditional breakfast fare with made to order omelets, raw bar with peel and eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon, hot luncheon items, carving of beef, leg of lamb and honey ham. There is also a full dessert bar, champagne, mimosas and more.
Easter Egg Brunch @ CHicago Bo March 27; 9, 10, 11 a.m., noon & 1 p.m.
Celebrate spring and enjoy a festive Easter brunch at the Garden. The buffet includes a carving station, made-to-order omelets, and an abundance of fresh, delicious selections. Bring a basket because the hunt begins after brunch. Hop to the Rose Garden lawn and join in the Easter Egg Dash before taking a stroll to explore the vibrant colors and spring blooms. Have fun potting a spring plant in Burnstein Hall.
Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt @ Illinois Beach Resort March 27; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Bring the family and enjoy our delicious spread that is sure to satisfy. Featuring made-to-order omelets, carving stations, traditional & unique selections of side dishes, salads and dessert including chocolate dipped strawberries! Join the guest of honor, the Easter Bunny, as he conducts Easter Egg Hunts at 10am, 12pm and 2pm on his busiest day of the year. Join in the fun and make new memories with the kids as they hunt for 5000 candy-filled eggs. Guests must have reservations for brunch to participate in the egg hunts.
Easter Brunch @ Chessies
March 27; Sunday 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m.
Bring the family out and enjoy Chessie's Easter Brunch. There will many delicious items to choose from, including a carving station, vegetables, eggs, bacon, seafood, salads and desserts. Make reservations now as this event fills up fast. Seatings are at 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
Easter Brunch @ the Onion Pub March 27; 10 a.m. - 3p.m.
Enjoy an unforgettable Easter Brunch celebration with us. You and your family can relax and savor the numerous buffet offerings, including: made-to-order omelets, fresh seafood, and carving stations. We also offer a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, bottomless mimosas, and our amazing hand-crafted ales and lagers.
Easter Bunny Brunch @ Austin's March 27; 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Make reservations now and bring family out for a great Easter Brunch. Enjoy 40 feet of favorite buffet items. Items included are breakfast items, omelet station, carved meats, BBQ ribs, trout, sweet station, kids buffet and much more. The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance. Reservations required.
Egg Hunts in Lake County
Cha Cha's Egg-Cellent Easter Adventure @ Rainforest Cafe March 19; 8-10 a.m.
Make reservations today for this Easter Adventure. Enjoy a breakfast buffet, Easter Egg hunt, free goodie bags for the kids and a free Easter Basket raffle. The Easter Bunny will be there along with Cha Cha.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt @ Grayslake Central H.S. March 19; 11 a.m.
This event requires pre-registration by March 16th. Bring an Easter basket or a bag to collect the eggs. The hunt will be indoors and is for kids ages 1-7. Use code 200002A to register.
Vernon Hill's Hoppin' Holiday Hunt March 19; 9-11 a.m.
Hoppin’ Holiday Hunt is a special event for families with children 8 years & younger. Hop on down to the Park District’s Annual Egg Hunt! Visit with our Bunny, delight in the magic show, enjoy a delicious continental breakfast and hunt for eggs filled with prizes! Weather permitting, we’ll go outside for the hunt. Children up to 8 years are welcome. Register online.
Easter Egg Hunt @ Bill's Pub North and Bill's Pizza & Pub March 19; 10:45 a.m.
Bring the kids, ages 2-10, to Bill's for our Easter Egg Hunt. Ages 2-4 will be separate from the rest. Then after the hunt, all attendees will get a 10% discount on food purchases. Kids can also meet the Easter Bunny and win prizes including t-shirts, candy and free pizzas. Can't make this one, Bill's Pub North is having one March 26th.
Easter Egg Hunt in Lions Park
March 19; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Calling all kids ages 2 to 10 for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Jump in the moon bounce, dance to the tunes of the DJ and try your luck at some of the games. Each group will go into their area to hunt for their eggs. The hunt will be held promptly at 12pm rain or shine.
Antioch's Flashflight Eggstravaganza March 24; 7:45 p.m.
This event is for ages 11-15 and requires participants to bring flashlights to look for eggs once the sun has set on Antioch.Each participant has a limit of 10 eggs per wristband at a cost of $5.00. Wristbands can be purchasedat the Parks & Recreation Office (806 Holbek).
Nitelite Egg Hunt @ Paulus Park March 25; 7:45-9:30 p.m.
Located at Paulus Park Barn Hunt for eggs outside at Paulus Park in this game of Hide-n-Glow seek! Find golden eggs and win big. Stay after to enjoy the party atmosphere with a DJ, pizza and beverages. Remember to dress appropriate for the weather and to bring a flashlight and bag. Register early as space is limited. Please note that this event is a drop off event, tweens only.
19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt @ Lake County Fairgrounds March 26; 11:30 a.m.
Children ages 1 - 9 are all welcome to attend this annual Easter Egg Hunt. Over 10,000 eggs and 300 prizes available. Children will be divided into 3 age categories. The Easter Bunny will be available before and after the hunt, so bring the camera. Hunt starts at 11:30am sharp, please allow time to park and get to the starting line. This is a free event, but please bring a non-perishable food product for the local pantry.
Waukegan's Eggstravaganza Trail March 26; 1:30-3 p.m.
Hop along the Bunny Trial. Families with children ages 2 - 13 come out and take a walk down Easter trail. Visit with the Easter Bunny and friends. Bring a camera and basket to collect all the goodies. There will also be food vendors. Please visit the website for updated information.
Zion's 61st Annual Easter Egg Hunt
March 26; 9-10 a.m.
The Easter Bunny will be busy hiding 10,000 eggs with fun toys and candy inside. He'll be there in person to watch your little ones age 8 and younger gather them up. (No bags or baskets allowed.) Lucky finders of 4 golden eggs will receive new bicycles!
Eggstremely Eggciting and Eggstra Easy Egg Hunt @ Tilt Studio 
March 25-March 28
Children ages 12 and under are invited to grab an egg from the Tilt Studio Easter Basket (at our Redemption Counter) beginning Friday, March 25 through Monday, March 28. Inside each egg will be a coupon for free food, free attractions, free game cards, and more! The first 100 children that pick an egg each day will receive a prize. All coupons must be used on the day they were received.
Other Activities for Easter in Lake County
Easter Bunny @ Hawthorn Mall Now until March 26
Come get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Hawthorn Mall. March 4th- March 26th Monday-Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm. The Bunny will be located on the Lower Level near Macy's. Hawthorn Mall will be closed Easter Day.
Easter Bunny Photos @ Gurnee Mills Now until March 26
Get ready for the Easter Bunny who is hopping his way to Gurnee Mills and will be waiting in his chair near the Dining Pavilion located in the Macy’s Wing. Visit and get a photo taken at the Springtime set.
Visit With the Easter Bunny @ Deer Park Town Center Now until March 26
Visit with the bunny at Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Saturdays, March 12th, 19th and 26th from 1-4PM. Families are welcome to bring their own camera.
Easter Hoppenings @ Jelly Belly March 26; 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Have a “hoppy” time at Jelly Belly in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. with face painting, balloon art, a magic show, raffles and prizes. Take photos with the Easter Bunny and purchase a keepsake photo for $15 and of course visit Mr. Jelly Belly! Enjoy special discounts on Belly Flops and enjoy a free tour aboard the Jelly Belly Express indoor train through the Jelly Belly warehouse. Also enjoy one of the daily tours from 9am-4pm.
Bunny Wabbit Run 2016 & Easter Egg Hunt March 26; 8 a.m.
Celebrate the warm and beautiful weather in Illinois with us running through the Des Plaines River 
Trails (DPRT), enjoying nature, and making new friends! Join us in one of the races at the Independence Grove in Libertyville, IL. The beautiful course features rolling hills, open prairies and lush green forest. 200m Kids Dash starts at 8am, 5k, 10k & half marathon starts at 8:30. Please visit the website for complete details. Bring the family for the Easter egg hunt after the race.
Easter Activities @ Bass Pro Shops Now until March 27
Come out to Bass Pro Shops with the kids and have a free and fun Easter Time. Receive a free photo with the Easter Bunny Saturdays-Sundays 11am-4pm, Monday-Thursday,6pm-8pm and Friday 2pm-8pm. Also Saturdays & Sundays from 1pm-4pm and Friday April 3 from 4pm-7pm enjoy free crafts. Kids ages 2-10 can also participate in the egg hunts held Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm sharp with reservations beginning at 1:30pm. Also new this year get a free digital Easter card to share with friends and family. A photo package can be purchased.
