Are you starting to plan your Easter Sunday with family or friends? This year, we have all of the tips and tricks you need to throw an amazing Easter party or get-together. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some delicious Easter drinks and Easter cocktail ideas, fantastic Easter party ideas, and answer a huge question Americans have every year: when is Easter this year? So, let’s jump right in!

What Is Easter?

Easter Sunday is a major Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In America, Easter is (for most people) a time for family gatherings, feasting, and egg hunts. Some more religious families will attend a special Good Friday and/or Easter church service, depending on which denomination they follow.

A traditional, American Easter get-together will include a ham and other delicious sides that the whole family enjoys. Some families choose to do lunch instead of dinner, and some families do finger foods for food at their get-togethers.

When Is Easter?

It is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox, which is usually between March 22 and April 25. For this reason, Easter is never the same Sunday from year to year. Here are the dates for the next several Easter Sundays:

• Easter 2023 will be on Sunday, April 9th.
• Easter 2024 will be on Sunday, March 31st.
• Easter 2025 will be on Sunday, April 20th.
• Easter 2026 will be on Sunday, April 5th.
• Easter 2027 will be on Sunday, March 28th.

Fun Fact: In 2029, Easter Sunday will be on April Fool’s Day!

The History of Easter

The earliest Christians celebrated Easter on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. And, “the earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century,” according to Britannica.  However, there was some disagreement (called the Paschal controversies) about which day of the week was the correct one to celebrate Easter. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea established that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

Fun Fact: Several times throughout history people have tried to agree on a fixed date for Easter, but no one could agree.

The early Christians also borrowed some of the pagan symbols and traditions associated with the spring equinox, such as the Easter egg and the Easter bunny. These symbols and traditions have been incorporated into Christian Easter celebrations over the centuries.

Today, Easter is a time for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of new life. It is also a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy a festive holiday, regardless of religious beliefs or background.

Family-Friendly Easter Party Ideas

Easter is a great time to have a party with family and friends, especially if you all like candy, scavenger hunts, and chocolate! Here are some Easter party ideas for you to help get the creative ideas flowing:

#1: Easter Egg Hunt

We know this one is a classic, but this wouldn’t be an “Easter” post without the classic recommendation! Hide eggs around your house or yard, and let the kids hunt for them. You can also decorate eggs or fill them with candy or small prizes. If you do your egg hunt outside, keep in mind that all eggs filled with candy should be accounted for – candy and wrappers can hurt wild animals.

#2: Easter Dinner or Brunch

The classic Easter celebration will involve a big, early dinner with a gorgeous ham, some kind of potato dish, and probably green bean casserole. But, you can certainly think outside the box. For example, a ham made with pineapple would go really well with a stuffing made with cranberries and nuts. Get creative with your meal!

Looking for an excuse to make an easier meal than dinner? Serve a delicious brunch with all of your favorite Easter foods, such as ham steak, eggs, pancakes, and waffles. You can also decorate your table with Easter decorations!

#3: Easter Bonnet Parade

For your Easter party, you could even have a parade of Easter bonnets. Let everyone – young and old – decorate their own bonnet or hat. After the parade, give out prizes for the best bonnets.

#4: Easter Scavenger Hunt

In addition to your candy-filled egg hunt, try a scavenger hunt with one large prize! This game could be better for the older kids and teenagers in your family, depending on what prize you get. Scavenger hunt clues should be difficult enough for the age range to make for a fun, exciting win at the end.

#5: Guess How Many Jelly Beans

This is a fun game for parties of any kind, made extra-special with Easter colors and delicious jelly beans. Simply pour some jelly beans into a jar, and ask people to write down their guesses and name on a slip of paper. When everyone has guessed, count out the jelly beans and see who won!

Easter Drinks & Easter Cocktails to Celebrate With

If you’re looking for a little “pick-me-up” for the grown-ups, we don’t blame you! Holidays are a lot, and it can be nice to kick back and relax just a little bit. So, without further adieu, here are some delicious Easter cocktails you can offer up at your Easter get-together.

The “What’s Up, Doc”

This cocktail is a brilliant orange color, sticking with the Easter Rabbit theme you might have going on at your party. To make this drink, shake 2 oz vodka, ¾ oz carrot juice, ½ oz lime juice, and ¼ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a highball or whiskey glass with ice, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with a carrot peel and mint, if you like.

The “Spring Fling”

If you’re looking for a cocktail that really sells the “it’s spring now” vibes, this is the one for you. To make this cocktail, shake 2 oz tequila, ⅕ oz grapefruit juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz orgeat, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain out into a highball glass, add 6-8 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters to the top, then garnish with edible flowers.

The “Mini Egg Martini”

This delightfully-chocolatey cocktail gives you a grown-up reason to use up those chocolate eggs – not that we needed it, anyway. To make this cocktail, first crush about 25 grams of chocolate eggs with a mortar and pestle. Use this to rim your martini glass. In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake ¾ oz creme de cacao, ¾ oz irish cream, and 1 ½ oz vodka. When the shaker is frosty, pour the cocktail out into your rimmed glass and enjoy. 

The “Easter Egg-Hunt Martini”

As parents and adults, Easter egg-hunts just aren’t as magical as they used to be. However, if you’re sipping on one of these while watching the tots tumble around in the grass, it might not be so bad! To make this drink, shake 1 egg white, 1 ½ oz vanilla vodka, 1 oz triple sec, ¾ oz milk, and ¾ oz orange juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. 

Get a martini glass and decorate it like an Easter egg with drops of raspberry and strawberry purees. Strain your mixture into the glass and enjoy!

The “Peeps Cocktail”

This reimagination of the mudslide is super delicious and the perfect cocktail for a peep-themed Easter party. Start by rimming a cocktail glass with pink sugar. Shake 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlua, 1 oz Baileys Strawberries and Cream, and 1 oz heavy cream in a cocktail shaker until the outside gets frosty. Strain into your glass and garnish with a little peep, cut so that you can place it on the rim.

The “Lavender Collins”

If you’re looking for a more “sophisticated” drink to ring in the springtime cheer, this aromatic drink is right up your alley. To make this drink, shake 1 ½ oz lavender gin, ½ oz cointreau, ⅕ oz lavender syrup, and the juice from half a lemon in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a pilsner glass with ice and top with a bit of club soda. Garnish with your choice of lemon peel, blackberries, and fresh lavender.

And, Of Course, Old Stand-Bys

For all of you Easter brunch folks, don’t forget about the delicious Screwdrivers, Mimosas, and Bloody Marys. These drinks are always delicious and welcome at any late-morning gathering!

Distillery Nearby: Your Source for Discovering New Craft, Local Spirits

Are you looking for some new, delicious spirits to try at local distilleries? If so, we’ve got you covered; supporting local businesses is one of our favorite things – especially when those local businesses are distilleries. To see what’s in your area, check out our “by-state” page, where you can view craft distilleries near you. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite gin or flavored vodka!