Ready to celebrate spring? Check out these 11 Easter events in southwestern Illinois

Meredith Howard
·4 min read

Easter is April 9 this year, and the metro-east has plenty of fun events on the calendar to celebrate the holiday, from adult egg hunts to meet and greets with the Easter Bunny.

Here’s some options for Easter events.

Ainad Shriners Easter Party

The Ainad Shriners in East Saint Louis will host an Easter party from 9 a.m. to noon April 1. The free event will include a pancake breakfast, egg hunt, crafts, animals, games and a coloring contest.

Children of all abilities are welcome, and there are egg hunt age groups for children ages 0 to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11.

Wood River Easter egg hunt

Wood River residents can stop by Central Park at 10 a.m. April 1 for Easter bunny photos and an egg hunt. The Wood River Public Library will offer free crafts. Here’s the 2023 event schedule:

  • 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Bunny pictures and crafts (bring your own camera)

  • 10:30 a.m. Toddler egg hunt

  • 10:45 a.m. Pre-K egg hunt

  • 11 a.m. Kindergarten to first grade egg hunt

  • 11:15 a.m. Second to fourth grade egg hunt

Children who find lucky eggs may win special prizes.

SWIC egg hunt

Southwestern Illinois College will host an egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon April 1, rain or shine. The event will be held at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, and activities are available for children ages one to 12.

The SWIC egg hunt event is free, and activities include visits with the Easter Bunny, games and springtime crafts, inflatables, a petting zoo and free lunch and refreshments.

“The Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Egg Hunt is a chance for the whole community to join in on the fun and festivities of spring,” SWIC Director of Student Life Amy Brockman said in a March 7 press release. “Thanks to SWIC’s friends at Ideal Aviation, the Easter Bunny will be arriving by helicopter, weather permitting.”

Gateway Little Smiles

Pediatric dentist Gateway Little Smiles, located in Collinsville, will celebrate an Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon April 1. Easter bunny photo ops will be available, along with doughnuts, coffee and giveaways.

Easter brunch and photos

Century 21 Advantage Real Estate will host an Easter brunch and bunny photos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 at 406 Veterans Drive in Waterloo. Doors open at 10:45 a.m., and brunch is served at 11 a.m.

Registration is required by March 31. You can email nicolegellerc21@gmail.com with any questions.

Downtown Highland Easter egg hunt

The 2023 annual downtown Highland Easter egg hunt will take place at 2 p.m. April 1 on the square.

Shiloh Church Easter egg hunt and celebration

Stop by Shiloh Church at 210 S. Main St. at 10:30 a.m. April 2 for games, entertainment, an egg hunt, the Easter Bunny and more.

Hoppin Easter Craft & Vendor Fair

The Veterans of Foreign Wars post at 223 West First St. in O’Fallon will host an Easter craft and vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 8.

The event’s Facebook listing says it will include 35 vendors, raffles and door prizes and drink specials.

Eckert’s adult egg hunt

Eckert’s farm in Belleville will have a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt for those 21 years and older from 6:30 to 10 p.m. April 6. It costs $30 to participate, and more than 3,000 glow-in-the-dark eggs will be scattered throughout the park.

“Bring a flashlight and basket to gather as many eggs as possible,” the Eckert’s Belleville website reads. “Each egg will contain a special prize such as coupons, treats, adult beverages, and gift certificates.”

Tickets can be purchased online.

Navigation Church Easter egg hunt

Navigation Church in Collinsville will host its 8th annual Easter egg hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 8 at Woodland Park. The free event will feature 40,000 Easter eggs, carnival games, inflatables, lunch and prizes. Registration is available onsite, but you can also register online.

An adult 18 years or older must accompany child participants.

Eckert’s Easter Egg-citement

Eckert’s farm in Belleville will host a children’s Easter egg hunt with face painting, chicks and baby bunnies, seed-planting and more. Egg hunts will begin hourly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $18 per child or onsite for $20, and adults do not need tickets.

Dates: April 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23