Easter is a season of renewal. Families reconnect, spring settles across the Valley, and the long desert days invite us to slow down and spend time with the people who matter most. At Immanuel Campus of Care in Peoria, our team is here to support meaningful visits with your loved ones, whether you are planning a campus get-together or a gentle outing nearby.
To help your family enjoy Easter weekend with ease, this guide highlights local events and practical tips designed for comfortable, low-stress days. If your loved one resides at Immanuel Campus of Care, we can coordinate visit times around meals and care routines, share accessibility guidance, and suggest right-sized outings that leave energy for conversation and connection. Some families start the week with a morning run, others prefer a relaxed afternoon at a community celebration, and many love a seated brunch where everyone can gather and visit without hurry. Whatever you choose, our goal is the same: calm plans, smooth logistics, and more quality moments together this Easter.
Spring has a way of lifting spirits. If your family enjoys pairing an activity with an act of giving, consider one simple outing and one small gesture of service, then keep the rest of the day open for the stories and laughter that make the holiday yours.
Editor’s Note
You'll find a concise Easter calendar below; please check each organizer's website for the latest dates, tickets, and weather updates before heading out.
2026 Easter Calendar
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 7:00 a.m. — Peoria Hippity Hop Half Marathon / 10K / 5K / Cottontail Dash at Peoria Sports Complex
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. — Vertuccio Farms Easter Egg-sperience
Saturday, April 4, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — 50th Anniversary Dolly Sanchez Easter Celebration at Peoria City Hall Campus
Saturday and Sunday, April 4–5, 2026 — Wildlife World Zoo Easter Egg Hunt, Litchfield Park
Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, 2026 — Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Easter Brunch, Peoria and Arizona Biltmore Easter Brunch, Phoenix
Start the Season With a Morning Run
Kick off Easter week with fresh air at the Peoria Hippity Hop Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Cottontail Dash, held at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Now in its 11th year, this Easter tradition offers distances for every ability level, from the half-marathon down to the Cottontail Dash, an untimed half-mile fun run with an egg hunt along the route. The course follows paved trails through the New River Trail System and welcomes wheelchairs and strollers, making it a comfortable option if you are bringing a family member with limited mobility.
Proceeds benefit PLAY, Peoria Inc., a local nonprofit that supports community programs for residents of all incomes. If you are visiting a loved one at Immanuel later in the day, the shorter distances pair well with a relaxed afternoon on campus. The event is limited to 1,500 participants, so register early and review packet-pickup details before race morning.
Join Peoria’s Biggest Easter Tradition
The 50th Anniversary Dolly Sanchez Easter Celebration takes place Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at a new location: the Peoria City Hall Campus and Centennial Plaza. This free, family-friendly event has been a Peoria tradition since 1976, when community leader Dolly Sanchez organized the first neighborhood egg hunt at Varney Park. Fifty years later, the celebration has grown into one of the Valley’s most beloved spring gatherings.
Families can walk through Cottontail Lane, a path of table stations where children collect goodie-filled eggs, toys, trinkets, and crafts. Photos with the Easter Bunny, food trucks, inflatables, and live entertainment round out the morning. For families managing food allergies, look for teal egg signage at non-food tables. The event also offers a dedicated sensory room with noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, and soft toys, a thoughtful touch for anyone who benefits from a calming break during busy gatherings. That same approach works well for older adults with memory or sensory sensitivities; if your loved one at Immanuel would enjoy a short visit to the celebration, an early arrival helps you enjoy the festivities before the crowd builds. Our Memory Care team can help you decide whether the outing is a good fit and prepare your loved one for the morning.
Admission and parking are free. Visit the City of Peoria’s event page for updates as the date approaches.
Explore a Zoo Close to Home
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park in Litchfield Park, just 15 minutes from Immanuel’s campus, hosts an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, 2026. The egg hunt is free with zoo admission and takes place in the playground area, with hunts divided by age group. Children can also meet the Easter Bunny for free photos and visit the sea lions at Shipwreck Cove for special holiday photo opportunities.
The zoo is a strong choice for multigenerational outings. With more than 600 species across 215 acres, there is plenty to see at whatever pace suits your group. The safari tram and boat ride let guests enjoy the park while seated, and shaded areas throughout make early April temperatures comfortable. For family members who use a wheelchair or need frequent rest breaks, the zoo’s paved pathways and ride options keep the visit comfortable without cutting it short. If you are coordinating a visit from Immanuel, the proximity means your loved one can enjoy a morning at the zoo and return to campus well before afternoon care routines. Our Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living teams can help align medications, snacks, and sun protection for a smooth trip.
Gather for Easter Brunch
A shared meal is one of the simplest ways to celebrate together. Whether your family prefers a casual morning or an elevated holiday experience, Peoria and the greater Phoenix area offer options that work well before or after a visit to campus.
Nearby and relaxed: Hash Kitchen in Peoria’s P83 district (16222 N. 83rd Ave.) serves brunch daily and is known for creative dishes and a lively atmosphere. No reservation is required, but arriving early on holiday weekends helps avoid the wait. The menu is family-friendly with options for lighter appetites, and the location is minutes from Immanuel’s campus. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday morning earlier in the week.
A local fine-dining option: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Peoria (9712 W. Northern Ave.) is offering a 2-course Easter Brunch Menu starting at $38 per guest, with extended hours on Saturday, April 4 (11:00 a.m.) and Easter Sunday, April 5 (10:00 a.m.). The full dinner menu is also available all day. Reservations are recommended.
A splurge-worthy celebration: The Arizona Biltmore Easter Brunch in Phoenix’s historic Gold Room is a Valley tradition in its own right. The buffet features carving stations, a raw bar, made-to-order omelets, and seasonal pastries, along with live music, visits from the Easter Bunny, and outdoor egg hunts on the Aztec Lawn throughout the day. Reservations are required and popular time slots fill early, so book ahead if this is the year for a special family outing. The drive from Peoria is roughly 30 minutes, which pairs well with a morning or late-afternoon campus visit.
If your loved one at Immanuel joins for brunch, let our care team know in advance. We can help with timing, prepare any needed items for the outing, and offer suggestions for seating and accessibility so the meal feels relaxed for everyone at the table.
Make a Quiet Visit to a Spring Garden
Not every outing needs a schedule or a crowd. One of the most meaningful ways to spend Easter week with a loved one is to take a slow walk through a nearby park or garden. Peoria’s trail system along the New River offers paved, accessible paths with mountain views and shade structures, ideal for a short walk or a seated rest with a view. Rio Vista Park (8866 W. Thunderbird Road) is a favorite for its gentle terrain and proximity to campus.
For families with a loved one living with memory challenges, a calm outdoor setting can be grounding and restorative. Familiar sensory cues like warm sun, birdsong, and blooming desert plants often spark conversation and comfort in ways that busy environments cannot. Keep the outing short, bring water and a hat, and let the quiet do the work. If your loved one uses a wheelchair or walker, our team at Immanuel can suggest specific routes and rest stops that work well for their mobility level.
Give Back This Easter
Small acts of generosity turn a good holiday into a lasting one. If service is part of your family’s tradition, two nearby options make it easy to help before or after a visit to Immanuel Campus of Care:
Phoenix Rescue Mission collects filled Easter baskets, candy, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies for its annual Easter event serving 500 families and distributing over 1,000 baskets. Drop off donations at the Phoenix Rescue Mission Warehouse (2515 N. 34th Dr., Phoenix) Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., by Friday, April 4. Volunteer opportunities are also available leading up to Easter Sunday.
Valley View Community Food Bank in Sun City, located on West Peoria Avenue just minutes from Immanuel’s campus, accepts food donations and welcomes volunteers year-round. Their weekly farmers market serves hundreds of families, and extra hands are always appreciated for packing and distribution. Call 602-486-4285 to arrange a volunteer shift.
Conclusion
Easter shines brightest when it is simple, thoughtful, and shared. Peoria and the surrounding Valley offer plenty of ways to be together without overcomplicating the day, from a morning run on the trails to a quiet brunch with the family to an afternoon watching grandchildren hunt for eggs. The goal is not to do everything; it is to choose what helps your family slow down, connect, and create space for the conversations that matter.
If your plans include visiting a loved one at Immanuel Campus of Care, we are ready to help you shape the details. Our team can align visit times with care routines, recommend comfortable window times for outings, and offer accessibility tips so everyone feels at ease from the doorstep to drop-off. Should the holidays spark questions about next steps, we can walk you through options on our single Peoria campus, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing.
When you are ready, reach out. We will help you plan a meaningful Easter and the days that follow, grounded in dignity, familiar comforts, and a welcoming place for families to stay connected.
