Hard-pressed families are counting pennies as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. But we’ve come to the rescue by tracking down 101 of the best events over the four-day Easter weekend. And the best thing? They’re all completely free.
LONDON AND HOME COUNTIES
Trafalgar Square for all: A cast of more than 100 volunteers, plus horses, donkeys and doves re-enact the Passion of Christ (twice) at Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. From noon and 3.15pm. wintershall.org.uk
Hertfordshire hot cross fun: St Albans, the historic home of hot cross buns, celebrates Easter with a long list of events from traditional religious processions to egg hunts – being held at the cathedral and town centre at various times. enjoystalbans.com
Highgate treasure hunt: Solve map riddles while hunting the ‘Giant Bunny’ to win chocolate prizes at Waterlow Park in Highgate, North London, on Easter Sunday, 11am-4.30pm. lauderdalehouse.org.uk
Here are the best events of the Easter weekend to keep everyone occupied (stock image)
Westminster Abbey traditions: A historic ceremony of ‘Solemn liturgy of the passion and death of our lord’ is just one of the traditional Easter services at Westminster Abbey on Good Friday from 3pm to 4.15pm. westminster-abbey.org
‘Bunny rave’ in Camden: Expect egg hunts, live music, face painting, flower planting and a children’s ‘bunny rave’ disco at Camden Market, North London, running all weekend. camdenmarket.com
Music at St Paul’s Cathedral: A free recital is being given by prize-winning organist Alexander Knight on Easter Sunday at 4.30pm. stpauls.co.uk
South London bonanza: A free day of family activities, including egg hunt and prizes for best bonnets, takes place at Rookery Gardens on Streatham Common on Easter Sunday, from noon to 3pm. eventbrite.co.uk
Capital choral delights: An acclaimed Anglican choir and quartet will perform Mozart at St Giles In The Fields, Central London, on Easter Sunday at 11am and 6.30pm. stgilesonline.org
Wonders of Wokingham: There’ll be treasure trails, bunny characters, inflatables and face painting at Home Grange Craft Village on Easter Monday from 10am to 3pm. holmegrangecraftvillage.co.uk
EAST ANGLIA
Rabbit trails in Norwich: Follow a Peter Rabbit toy trail using a map and clues at the Chantry Place shopping centre all weekend. chantryplace.co.uk
Choir in Cambridge: Cambridge Voices Easter choral concert takes place at Downing Place Church on Easter Saturday at 4pm. cambridgevoices.org
You can take part in family games at Alexandra Park in Hastings
East Anglican egg hunt: Search for hidden eggs in a medieval setting – and decorate your own – at Dragon Hall in Norwich on Easter Monday from 10am to 3pm. nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk
THE SOUTH WEST
Cornish bunny race: One of the strangest Easter traditions comes in the form of an Easter Bunny costume race across a beach... against 100 dogs. It’s held at St Agnes on Easter Sunday from 1pm. stagnessurflifesavingclub.co.uk
Parade in Dorset: The town mayor leads scores of entrants in the traditional bonnet parade through Lyme Regis on Easter Sunday from 2.15pm. There’s also a rubber duck race on Easter Monday at noon. lymeregiscarnival.co.uk
Celtic craic: The annual Celtic and Breton Easter music and dance festival takes place in the streets (and pubs) of Falmouth in Cornwall on Easter Saturday. facebook.com/AberFest
Easter lambs in Gloucester: Collect Larry the Lamb trail maps and use them to explore Gloucester Cathedral all weekend. gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Wild in Devon: Explore wildlife trails, check out bird hides and visit a farm zoo – as well as chocolate-making and a lamb feast (egg hunt £3.50, Easter meal £20-45) – at Darts Farm in Topsham on Easter Sunday from noon. dartsfarm.co.uk
Cornish tradition: Watch or join a traditional family Easter ‘trigging’ – using a rake to catch cockles and winkles at low tide – at Helford River on Good Friday. cornwallforever.co.uk
Prizes in Plymouth: Follow treasure maps around the cobbled waterfront or the city centre to win prizes at the Barbican or West End Centre all weekend from 10am to 5pm. visitplymouth.co.uk
Dunk your dolls: The ancient Easter ceremony of ‘dolly dunking’ (ceremonially dipping toys in a spring at a remote sacred well) is the main event at Morvah in Cornwall on Good Friday at 11am — hot cross buns are provided for onlookers. calendarcustoms.com
St Agnes is the setting for an Easter Bunny race
Wiltshire surprise: There’s a special Easter opening of an old church which had been ‘lost’ to an army firing range (and consequently rarely open) at Imber on Salisbury Plain on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 11am to 4pm. imberchurch.org.uk
Bath bunny hunt: Explore a garden trail around Beckford’s Tower, hunting for 16 hidden bunnies, all weekend from 9am to 5pm. beckfordstower.org.uk
Ceremony in Salisbury: Head to cathedral green outside Salisbury Cathedral at 5am on Easter Sunday for a bonfire at sunrise and candlelit service. salisburycathedral.org.uk
THE SOUTH EAST
Broadstairs food festival: Delicacies from chocolate pigs to brioche buns feature at the annual Easter seafront food festival in the Kent town all weekend. broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk
East Sussex fancy dress: Traditional revels with fancy dress and an Easter bonnet parade are planned at Battle on Good Friday from 10am. battleeastsussex.co.uk
Rubber ducks in Kent: The popular annual rubber duck race, with a barbecue and music, at the Royal Military Canal in Warehorne on Good Friday from about 9.30am. facebook.com/woolpackwarehorne
Candlelit Canterbury: An atmospheric candlelit celebration of ‘Easter Eve’ will be held at Canterbury Cathedral on Easter Saturday at 7.30pm. canterbury-cathedral.org
Mad hats in Hastings: Stalls, games, music and art, plus Punch & Judy shows, will be at the Mad Hatter’s Easter Party in Alexandra Park on Easter Saturday from 11am to 4pm. facebook.com/artintheparkaop
THE SOUTH
Isle of Wight fireworks: An hour-long Easter celebration display is being launched from the end of the pier at Sandown on Easter Saturday at 7.30pm. visitisleofwight.co.uk
Southampton challenge: Pick up a free map, follow a city centre trail and solve Easter clues in the city’s old town, all weekend. visitsouthampton.co.uk
Portsmouth falcons displays: Free falconry displays will be held inside a hilltop fort along with an Easter Bunny treasure trail at Fort Nelson all weekend. visit-hampshire.co.uk
Eastleigh ‘Eggstravaganza’: A day of live theatre and music, craft activities and a bouncy castle is planned at the Pavilion on the Park on Easter Saturday, 10am-3pm. southamptonrocks.co.uk
WALES
Perfect in Pembrokeshire: Enjoy a waterfront coloured-egg trail, meet a giant bunny and get involved with face painting and homemade chocolate too at Milford, all weekend. milfordwaterfront.co.uk
Swansea fun: Find family craft, music and story events – to be held at the National Waterfront Museum on Good Friday, from noon to 4pm. museum.wales
Blaenafon treasure trail: Meet ‘Butty Bear’, who welcomes kids to an Easter treasure trail at Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, in south-east Wales, all weekend from 10am to 3.30pm. museum.wales
Llandudno beach party: Join the annual Easter community beach-cleaning party by the West Shore Prom in Llandudno on Good Friday, from 10am to 1pm. northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
The Pembrokeshire coast will be used as part of a poetry exhibition
Market in Cardiff: From homemade gin to carved lovespoons, explore the huge free market of Welsh craftspeople by St Fagans Museum in Cardiff, all weekend from 10am to 5pm. museum.wales
Poetry in St Davids: Find poems, pens and paper in boxes along the inspirational coastpath linked to a poetry exhibition in St Davids in Pembrokeshire, all weekend. pembrokeshirecoast.wales
THE NORTH WEST
Egg rolls in Preston: Join the 150-year-old tradition of rolling Easter eggs down a hill with a free festival of live music, theatre and crafts at Avenham and Miller Parks in Preston on Easter Monday, from 11am to 4pm. visitpreston.com
Lytham live music: Theatre shows, live music, craft sessions, rides and Easter bonnets will be at Lowther Pavilion in Lytham, all weekend from 11am to 5pm. lowtherpavilion.co.uk
Egg and spoon fun near Eccleston: Family day of activities including egg and spoon races, egg hunts and Easter bonnet parade, at Heskin Hall, near Eccleston, Lancashire, Easter Sunday from 11am to 4pm. heskinhall.com
Animal magic in Bootle: A mobile zoo, Easter craft stalls and a hunt for the missing golden egg are all part of the fun at Lock and Quay in Bootle, Merseyside, on Easter Sunday from 1pm to 3pm. facebook.com/lockandquaybootle
Blackpool horsing around: An Easter experience of ponies and birds, treasure trails and quizzes at an animal sanctuary is planned at Penny Farm in Blackpool, all weekend from 11am to 3pm. worldhorsewelfare.org
Donkeys in Lancs: Donkey rides, crazy golf, circus acts and comedy magic will be on offer at a street fair in Colne on Easter Saturday. colnetowncouncil.org.uk
Liverpool art: Create a masterpiece at free family art sessions at Tate Liverpool all weekend, from 10am to 4pm. tate.org.uk
Cumbrian festivities: Discover scarecrow creations in an historic walled garden with children’s pony rides alongside at Ford Park in Ulverston all weekend, from 10am to 5pm. ulverston.com
Lancashire entertainment: Willy Wonka characters, chocolate making, egg design and edible wallpaper are among the Easter events at Affinity shopping centre, in Fleetwood all weekend. affinitylancashire.com
THE NORTH
Huddersfield prizes: Scan the QR codes on hidden eggs to win prizes in a high-tech Easter egg hunt through Huddersfield on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, from 8am to 5pm.
York chocolate cheer: A street party of chocolate sculptures, tasting trails and egg hunts is planned on Parliament Street from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. yorkfoodfestival.com
Creature comforts: A family Easter Fair including games, eggs, crafts and lots of animals is being organised at the RSPCA Animal Home on Landing Road in York on Easter Sunday, from 10.30am to 3pm.
Roll up to see jugglers and clowns on Easter Saturday in Oswestry, Shropshire
Bradford egg hunt: Donkey rides, egg hunts and Easter bonnets at Harold Park in Bradford on Easter Monday, from 11am to 1pm.
Medieval Easter in Leeds: Brace yourself for live combat demonstrations and thrilling battle stories at the Royal Armouries Museum all weekend, from 10am to 5pm.
Dragon hunt: Explore an ancient fortress while searching for dragon eggs at Castle Garth in Pontefract, West Yorkshire all weekend, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. experiencewakefield.co.uk
Yorkshire duck race: Around 12,000 rubber ducks join an annual river race through the town centre at Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire on Easter Monday, from 1pm. hebdenbridgeduckrace.uk
Skipton bunny hunt: Ten bunnies have been hidden in Skipton, Yorkshire. Can you find them and win a hamper? All weekend. welcometoskipton.com
THE NORTH EAST
Party in Durham: Meet the Easter bunny, a balloon artist and the local police team at a town centre fun day involving rides, games and raffles in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham on Easter Saturday, from noon to 3pm. facebook.com/NewtonAycliffeTownCentre
Northumberland petting zoo: Get close to the animals at an Easter Family Day petting zoo at Ridley Park in Blyth on Easter Saturday, from 11am to 3pm. blythtowncouncil.org.uk
Party in Thirsk: An Easter party with a local bake off, inflatables and a classic egg hunt is planned at Thirsk and Sowerby Institute in North Yorkshire on Easter Sunday, from 11am to 5pm. facebook.com/ThirskSowerbyInstitute
Newcastle no-strings fun: Enjoy a wide array of puppet shows across Newcastle over Easter, starting with a ‘giant beast’ parade. movingpartsarts.com
North Yorkshire daffs: Join the Easter tradition of taking a three-mile walk along the banks of the River Dove carpeted with daffs planted by monks at Farndale, North Yorkshire, all weekend. discoveryorkshirecoast.com
Cracking contest in Peterlee: The annual world championship of egg jarping – that’s banging boiled eggs together to see which is the hardest – is being held at Hearts of Oak in Peterlee, County Durham, on Easter Sunday at 3pm. facebook.com/theheartsofoak
THE MIDLANDS
Shropshire festival: Find growers, sewers, knitters, carvers and brewers at a fair at the British Ironworks Centre in Shropshire on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, from 10am to 3pm. britishironworkcentre.co.uk
Hereford Cathedral show: Hear the ‘Father Wills organ’ in full voice at a recital in the cathedral, with playing close-ups shown on a large screen on Easter Monday at 1.15pm.
Bunny hop in Worcestershire: Find hidden bunnies by following a town centre trail in Tenbury Wells all weekend, from 10am to 4pm. visitthemalverns.org
Wolverhampton fun for all: Meet Mother Goose and Bo Peep, search for eggs, make glitter tattoos and try your own balloon art at the Mander Centre on Easter Saturday, from 11am to 4pm. mandercentre.co.uk
Street circus in Oswestry: Roll up to see jugglers and clowns on Easter Saturday, and a treasure hunt, face painting and donkey rides on Good Friday in Oswestry, Shropshire. oneoswestry.co.uk
Herefordshire intrigue: Enjoy a ‘Gruffalo’ trail through the arboretum at Queenswood Country Park all weekend. queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org
Music in Oxford: An Easter Passiontide organ recital will be held at the medieval chapel at Magdalen College on Good Friday at 1.30pm. magd.ox.ac.uk
Leamington Spa parade: Take part in a fair with stalls, activities and a homemade bonnets show at The Parade on Easter Monday, from 10am to 4pm. warwickdc.gov.uk
Leicestershire bottle battle: A traditional Easter bottle-kicking parade and subsequent battle between two villages takes place at Hallaton, Leicestershire, on Easter Monday from 2pm. calendarcustoms.com
SCOTLAND
Capital celebrations: A band, choir and orchestra perform in a Christian Easter celebration at Usher Hall, in Edinburgh, on Easter Sunday at 7.30pm. originscotland.org
Castle forays: Historic Scotland holds Easter egg hunts at many of its castles, abbeys and palaces such as Skara Brae, St Andrews Castle and Fort George. It’s free to take part and member entry is free (new visitors pay an entry fee), all weekend from 9.30am to 5.30pm. historicenvironment.scot
Families can go on egg hunts at St Andrews Castle in Fife
Edinburgh egg hunt: Drop in for a day of Easter quizzes, trails and egg hunts around the grounds at Lauriston Castle on Easter Monday from 11am to 4pm. visitscotland.com
Fife fun: Enjoy a festival of arts, crafts and speciality food stalls in the centre of the pretty seaside town of Crail, Fife, on Easter Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. welcometofife.com
Magic on Mull: Visit artists in their studios dotted around Mull’s picturesque capital Tobermory from Good Friday to Easter Monday, 10am to 5pm. mytobermory.com
Egg hunt in Kirkcaldy: Scour a two-mile golf course trail for hidden eggs (not balls) at Dunnikier Park on Easter Sunday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk
Baby chicks in Perth: Experience an Easter food, art and craft market at a farm shop with baby chicks hatching at Arngask Home Farm on Easter Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. facebook.com/arngaskfarm
New Lanark festivities: The historic village of New Lanark hosts an Easter market, egg rolling and egg hunt for high-tech 3D-printed Easter eggs on Easter Saturday. newlanark.org