When the desert starts turning green and the wildflowers begin to bloom it can only mean one thing… Spring is almost upon us! With that, it is time to start planning your Easter and springtime celebrations over the next month and make the most of these beautiful warmer days.
Professional Photos with the Easter Bunny
Starting on March 17th, the Easter Bunny is taking up residency for the season in Fashion Square Mall. The Easter Bunny will be set up on the first floor of the mall near the Palm Court, and you can expect to get some adorable photos set against a spring backdrop. In order to make your photo session as streamlined as possible, pre-book your appointment online, and pick your reserved date and time. The bunny will be at the mall every day from Marcy 17th until April 8th!
Bunny Cares is also hosting a sensory-friendly photo session on Sunday, March 26th at Fashion Square. This event is an opportunity for children with special needs to meet the bunny and take photos in a quieter, less overwhelming sensory environment.
Easter Baseball Camp
Many kids have spring break or additional days off of school around the Easter holiday, and it’s always a good idea to line up fun plans for them in advance. Avoid any at-home boredom by signing your kids up for the Easter Baseball camp taking place on Saturday, April 8th at Salt River Fields, for a day of immersion in the world of baseball!
Kids will get to enjoy three hours of baseball hitting and drill work, with coaching from former MLB players! The cost is $85 per participant or $150 for two kids, and anyone ages 5-12 is welcome to join.
Spring Camp at Taliesin West
Give your kids a spring break to remember this year by signing them up for Camp Taliesin West: Gimme Shelter edition! This five day spring camp is designed for students ages 11-15 to learn more about architecture throughout history, including a deep dive into Frank Llyod Wright’s personal architectural style and methodology.
Campers will get hands-on experience working with different building materials and making their own 3D model shelters to present at the end of the week. The $400 price of camp admission also includes a daily catered lunch for kids, making your pre-camp mornings hassle free. The camp takes place from 9 am to 3 pm Monday-Friday and is sure to be an incredible experience your kids will never forget.
Sun & Sounds Concert Series
For those who love to be outside, celebrate the spring season, and enjoy live music, check out Sun & Sounds, an outdoor Sunday concert series returning to the Civic Center lawn during the month of March.
Lay out on the lawn, bring your pets, and enjoy a free afternoon showcase of live local artists from noon to 4 pm every Sunday during the month. There will be art vendors, an outdoor grilling station, and a bar to buy refreshing beverages to enjoy during the event. The line-up is different each Sunday, so plan to return throughout the month!
Easter Baking Class at Classic Cooking Academy
Want to impress your family with some amazing culinary skills this Easter? Learn from the best and take an Easter themed pastry lesson class from the Classic Cooking Academy. The class takes place on March 25th at 10 am, and the menu of pastries you will learn to back includes lemon blueberry scones, apple streusel muffins, and pineapple carrot cake.
The class will be held from 10 am to 1 pm, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready to stand on your feet while you participate in this hands-on baking lesson! Don’t forget to bring your own take-home container so you can share your leftovers with friends and family. Participants will come home with all the recipes for everything they learned to make, which will allow you to recreate your masterpieces again and again!
Participate in an Easter Egg Hunt
Skip the hassle at home this year and participate in a free Easter egg hunt at the Arizona Boardwalk instead! This Easter egg hunt and holiday celebration takes place on Saturday, April 8th. There will be photo opportunities with the Easter bunny, bounce houses, face painting, and more!
The Easter egg hunts are divided into time blocks from 10:30 am to 12 pm by age to ensure all kids get to participate and have fun, so check the schedule to make sure you don’t miss your kid’s age window. Don’t forget to bring a basket or bag for them to take home all their eggs and candy!
Plan a Resort-Style Easter Brunch
One of the best parts of any Easter celebration is enjoying a delicious meal! Instead of cooking at home this year, consider making a brunch reservation at one of Scottsdale’s incredible resorts to participate in a fabulous meal.
The Scottsdale Princess always goes above and beyond for all holidays, and their Easter celebration will be no different! Seatings take place from 8 am- 3pm on April 9th, and the cost is $159 for each adult, and $74 for children.
Brunch will include selections from all four of the restaurants at the Princess, and a selection of decadent desserts from the pastry team. In addition to all of the food offerings, your brunch includes one family photo with the Easter bunny, and an Alice in Wonderland themed Easter egg hunt.
If you’re looking for a more boozy Easter brunch, consider making a reservation at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Village. The highlight of their brunch is unlimited Mimosas and Bloody Marys! Sit on the patio and enjoy incredible views of the golf course and the McDowell Mountains while you eat.