Easter 2025 in Toronto

The Easter season in and around Toronto is filled with themed activities for all ages. From exciting egg hunts to vibrant Easter festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy, with many events stretching through Holy Week and even beyond.

Celebration Highlights

Canada celebrates Easter with a fusion of secular festivities and religious customs, and one of the biggest and most varied cities in the country–Toronto–showcases this diversity in its Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, a lot of Canadians go to church to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. Families also frequently get together for special feasts, which include customary Easter fare, like hot cross buns, lamb, and ham.

Toronto entertains kids and families with a variety of community events, including Easter egg hunts in parks or neighborhood-sponsored community centers. Toronto's rich Easter celebrations are enhanced by the inclusion of components from various ethnic origins in cultural events and festivals–all thanks to the city's diverse population. Toronto's festive atmosphere is also enhanced by the numerous special deals and themed events hosted by local companies and attractions throughout the Easter weekend.

Toronto Passion Play

One of the highlights of the celebration is the annual Toronto Passion Play, hosted by the Christian Performing Arts Centre. It takes place in the Church on the Queensway on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

The Toronto Passion Play is a grand production featuring over 80 actors, singers, and dancers, offering a detailed portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ. Enhanced by live orchestras, stunning lighting, and captivating special effects, it creates a memorable atmosphere that has made it a cherished tradition, attracting more than 16,000 attendees annually. The play typically draws capacity crowds representing diverse religious backgrounds.

The production spans five performances over Easter weekend. Doors open an hour before each performance. Tickets are priced at around $5 and include complimentary nursery care for children under three, along with free parking.

Toronto Beaches Easter Weekend Celebration

Every spring, the Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade transforms Queen Street into a vibrant celebration filled with color, music, and entertainment. Held on Easter Sunday, this cherished tradition draws around 50,000 spectators to Queen Street East, making it a must-attend event for many Torontonians.

The parade normally begins at 2 pm and lasts approximately two hours. The route typically starts at Munro Park, moving west along Queen Street, and concludes at Woodbine Avenue.

First organized in 1967 by the East Toronto Community Association to commemorate Canada's Centennial, the parade gained new momentum in 1973 when the Toronto Beaches Lions Club began assisting with its organization. By 1981, the Lions Club officially took over as the event's organizer. Initially, the parade followed a route along the boardwalk, but its growing popularity led to a move to Queen Street in 1974. Today, the parade attracts visitors from around the globe and is recognized as the largest and longest-running Easter parade in the world, according to Beaches Lions Club Secretary and Past President Andre Buhot.

Celebrations Around Toronto

Easter egg hunts and celebrations abound throughout Toronto, with a wide array of events for families to enjoy. Additionally, numerous nearby towns host their festive gatherings, offering opportunities to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. Communities in Kidnetix, Pickering, North York, Aurora, Hampton, Markham, Courtice, Newmarket, Whitchurch, Mount Albert, Milton, Caledon, and Burlington all feature local events and activities that highlight the joy of Easter.

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