Begin Spring Fling At Sunrise Services, Egg Hunts, Bunny Bolts Then Dine On Scrumptious Spring Lamb
Holidays are always about family in the Cherry Creek Valley but none brings more smiles than Easter. Truly unique worship experiences including the 72nd Annual Red Rocks Sunrise Service plus family egg hunts and bunny bolts fill the day with happiness and joy.
Moreover, family and friends also spend the day enjoying incredible holiday feasts. There are dozens of Easter brunches around town or those lucky enough can enjoy spit-roasted whole lamb served annually at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.
Here is our Egg’stra special selection of Easter things to do: Easter Services
Red Rocks Sunrise Services
Sunrise Sanctuary: The Colorado Council of Churches hosts its 72nd Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 4:30-7:30 a.m. The unique worship experience annually draws 11,000 attendees.
On Resurrection Sunday April 21, the Colorado Council of Churches will host its 72nd Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 4:30-7:30 a.m. This is a truly unique worship experience that draws people from across the Cherry Creek Valley, all of the Rocky Mountain area and rest of the nation.
In previous years, an estimated 11,000 people attended the service. For many attendees who don’t regularly attend church, this is a special opportunity to hear the gospel. Given the spectacular venue and the service, it’s no wonder that so many people have this event on their “Bucket List.”
Given the extraordinary turnout for this worship service, it is recommended that attendees arrive close to 4:30 a.m. Once the Amphitheatre is at capacity, police handling traffic will not allow additional access. Remember to dress warmly as it can get quite cold before the sun rises.
Easter Grand Encampment
Easter Preparation: Denver’s Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral in Glendale replaced the Pantocrator icon damaged by dome leakage before Orthodox Easter April 28. The icon meaning “Ruler of All” in Greek is the oldest known icon of Christ written in the sixth century and preserved in the monastery of St. Catherine in the Sinai desert.
The Knights Templar Association of Colorado has announced that the Western States Easter Grand Encampment has moved from Salt Lake City to Denver.
The Encampment is from April 18-21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown, just minutes away from the Scottish Rite Consistory where Easter service will be held on April 21, 6:30 a.m., Doors will open at 5:30 a.m. Breakfast will be available at the Consistory following the ceremony.
The Colorado Easter Sunrise Service has been celebrated and conducted by the Knights Templar of Colorado for 94 consecutive years. Not only do the Templars participate, but every other Masonic body as well. Registration: wseo-denver.com.
More Easter Services
Augustana Lutheran: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on E. Alameda Ave.
Bethany United Methodist: 9 and 10:30 a.m. services located on W. 1st Ave.
Catholic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: 8:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. mass located at Logan and Colfax Ave.
Cherry Creek Spiritual Growth Center: 10 a.m. services located on E. Yale Ave.
Christ Lutheran: 6:30 a.m. sunrise worship; 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on S. Broadway.
New Covenant Christian: 6 a.m. sunrise worship; 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Ivanhoe St.
Montview Presbyterian: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Dahlia St.
St. John’s Episcopal: 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. Eucharist rites located on Clarkson St.
St. Paul’s Lutheran: 9 and 11 a.m. services located on Grant St.
Trinity United Methodist: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services located on Broadway.
Easter Eating
Thanksgiving is the undisputed king of Valley food holidays nonetheless at many eateries Easter is just as satisfying. The reason is simple, Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring. At many restaurants you can eat to the point of bursting but without the family pressures of Thanksgiving.
Toasting Easter: Dozens of Valley eateries are offering Easter brunch specials. Ocean Prime with locations in Larimer Square and in Greenwood Village has this lobster toast brunch special.
The hunt is over: Here’s where to break bread with family and friends this Easter weekend over brunch, lunch or dinner:
Dining Delights
Monaco Inn Restaurant
Celebrating Easter is much more than an epic holiday meal at the Monaco Inn Restaurant — it’s a Valley tradition stretching back more than 30 years. Easter without Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries at this family run eatery just south of Leetsdale on Monaco at Tennessee is hard to imagine.
Savor the fresh roasted lamb served with roasted oven Greek potatoes, a Greek salad or Avgolemono soup with a glass of wine. Begin your Easter celebration with a flaming Greek cheese Saganaki appetizer, Opa! End the holiday enjoying Galaktoboureko, the traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell.
Serving Easter Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Make your reservations early. Information: 303-320-1104.
Easter Breakfast
Dave & Busters
This American food and arcade game fun spot on S. Colorado Blvd. is serving breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to a full breakfast buffet you receive a “power card” with unlimited video game play. Coffee, tea, soda and juices are provided. Also included are photos with the Easter Bunny (bring your camera or phone) plus arts & crafts. Information: 303-209-2907.
Other Breakfasts: In connection with sunrise services the Bethany United Methodist Church at 3501 W. 1st Ave. is serving breakfast at 9 and 10:30 a.m. During this year’s Easter Grand Encampment the Scottish Rite Consistory at 1307 Grant St. will serve breakfast following the ceremony.
Best Brunch Bets
Celebrate Easter Sunday by enjoying a special brunch at a local restaurant. There are buffets to share with families plus eateries where you can spend time on the patio soaking up springtime outside with mimosas.
Charcoal Bistro
Charcoal Bistro, the eatery on Old South Gaylord in the Wash Park neighborhood is serving Easter brunch with a buffet of sweets and starters followed by ala carte entrees of your choice.
Edge Restaurant
The Edge Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown is serving a brunch buffet with bottomless mimosas. Brunch item selection will include a raw bar, special carving selections and Easter themed dessert.
Fire Restaurant
Fire, the restaurant in the Art Hotel in the Golden Triangle adjacent to the Art Museum, offers a brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes a raw bar, herb crusted leg of lamb, whole smoked salmon and Easter desserts. Parking is complimentary and there will be a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny.
Ocean Prime
This seafood and steakhouse with locations in Larimer Square and on Belleview Ave. in Greenwood Village offers a special Easter brunch from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Features include blood orange mimosas, lobster toast, crab & eggs, braised short rib surf & turf and a blackened salmon salad.
Easter Egg Hunts
Easter Eggstravaganza
Bunny Hopping: Valley families can expect the Easter Bunny to make appearances at churches, restaurants and egg hunts again this year.
The annual Glendale Sports Center’s annual egg hunt is at the Infinity Park Sports Field located at 4599 E. Tennessee Ave. in Glendale on Saturday April 15, 10 a.m. sharp. The event is divided into three age groups: 0 to 3, 4 to 6 and 7 to 19, all starting at the same time. Bring an Easter basket plus camera or phone to create great memories for you and the kids. The Easter Bunny will be hopping by for a visit. Information: 303-639-4711.
Spring Search: Easter Egg Hunts are an annual rite of spring across the Valley. Two of the biggest are Glendale Sports Center’s egg hunt at Infinity Park and the Faith Mountain Church event in Lakewood.
Children’s Museum Bunny Trail
The annual event on the Marsico Campus is April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no age limit. The Easter extravaganza is full of art projects, treats and an Easter Bunny visits. Hop your way over with the kids and grandkids for a good time with normal museum admission.
Bunny Bolt 5K-10K
The 6th annual event is Saturday April 15 for the whole family, not just the little ones. Held in City Park on N. York St. it features Denver’s only Golden Egg Hunt for adults. As you move along the course if you find the precious golden eggs you win awesome prizes. There’s also a free yoga class plus prizes ranging from race t-shirt to a goody bag and free photo downloads. Bring the kids for the 1K Rabbit Rush, the massive Easter Egg Hunt, face painting, balloon artists and photos with the Easter Bunny.
Rueth Easter Egg Hunt
This event is at the Fleming Mansion located at 1510 S. Grant St. on April 13, noon to 3 p.m. The hunt has treats, face paintings, games, sack races and giveaways. For ages 1 to 5 the egg hunt begins at 2 p.m. while ages 6 and up begin at 2:15 p.m.
Faith Mountain Egg Hunt
Sponsored by Faith Mountain Church this is Lakewood’s largest egg event with 20,000 candy filled eggs to give away. Located at 12344 W. Alameda Pkwy, the event is April 20, 9 to 11 a.m. In addition to the egg hunt there are carnival games, bounce houses and the Easter Bunny.
Dining Delights: Easter is the Thanksgiving of spring annually celebrated with Colorado spring lamb slowly roasted outside on rotisseries. Antigone Tsikoudakis, right, and Sonny Balafas check lamb being cooked outside at Denver’s Monaco Inn Restaurant.