Welcome to a big Easter weekend in New Orleans! We have everything from major city parades and Easter Bunny photo ops to specialized brunches and free arts workshops for the littlest ones. Check out the family-friendly action happening Saturday, April 4th, and Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026.
See our top picks
Free Admission to the Contemporary Arts Center
Contemporary Arts Center
Enjoy modern art for free this Saturday afternoon.
Free Admission to the Contemporary Arts Center
Contemporary Arts Center
A spacious indoor spot to explore art if the weather turns bad on Saturday.
Storytime at Norman Mayer Library (birth to 5 years)
Norman Mayer Library
Calm, free storytime on Sunday morning for kids under five.
· April 4
5: Join one of the city's largest annual 10K runs that goes right through the French Quarter and up beautiful Esplanade Avenue to City Park. It’s a great spectator event even if you aren't running, and many participants wear costumes.This massive city tradition happens only this Saturday morning, offering a massive outdoor spectacle for families to watch.
: Take the kids to get their required Easter photo ops with the bunny at either the Zoo or the Aquarium this Saturday. This is one of the final weekend opportunities for these seasonal visits.It's a classic, reliable activity available both days, but we are listing it for Saturday to ensure balance.
: A dedicated brunch event this Saturday morning geared toward children with special needs. This is a great option for sensory-sensitive family fun.It’s a specialized, thoughtful event happening Saturday morning, offering a unique experience.
2ND ANNUAL FREE EASTER GIVEAWAY CELEBRATION - H.O.P.E. FOUNDATION AND YOUNG AUDIENCES CHARTER SCHOOLSFREE : Head over to the Young Audiences Charter School Saturday afternoon for this free Easter celebration event. It sounds like a great community gathering.Free community Easter event happening midday Saturday.
EASTER AT SUN OUTDOORS : If you don't mind driving a bit north to Ponchatoula on Saturday, this spot is hosting egg hunts and will have the Easter Bunny on site, plus seafood from a local truck.It offers dedicated egg hunts and Easter fun on Saturday, though it is outside the immediate NOLA area.
· April 5
6: The highlight of Easter Sunday in New Orleans features elaborate hats, classic cars, and mule-drawn carriages winding through the French Quarter. Check out the hat contest first at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel.The iconic French Quarter Easter Parades are a quintessential, colorful New Orleans experience happening only on Sunday.
: Enjoy a festive Easter afternoon brunch buffet at Marche in the French Quarter. They are featuring flowers for the moms and a special visit from the Easter Bunny for photos.This is a specific, kid-inclusive Easter dining experience happening right in the heart of the action.
: Treat the family to a high-end Easter brunch experience at the elegant Roosevelt Hotel this Sunday morning. They are advertising bottomless mimosas for the adults.A premier, classic Easter dining experience happening Sunday morning.
: Catch the early Easter parade featuring classic cars and mule-drawn carriages, which kicks off at 9:45 a.m. and winds its way toward St. Louis Cathedral for Mass.This is the first parade of the day on Easter Sunday, offering an earlier start than the later French Quarter Parade.
: A dedicated Kids Easter Fest happening Sunday morning. This sounds like a classic, structured Easter event featuring various children's activities.A specific Easter festival taking place on Sunday morning.
: Combine brunch with an outdoor egg hunt at the luxurious Four Seasons on Easter Sunday. Since the venue hosts another brunch, this one specifically mentions the garden egg hunt.This event explicitly pairs a brunch with an egg hunt, a top priority for families on Easter.
Also On· anytime this weekend
4FREE : Bring your infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) for this free, hands-on arts workshop at the Jazz Museum this Saturday morning. It's a wonderful way to engage the youngest family members creatively.It's free, specific to the earliest ages, and only on Saturday, making it a great morning activity.
FREE : Enjoy free entry to the Contemporary Arts Center this Saturday. This is a nice indoor option if the morning outside is too busy or rainy.It’s a genuinely free event happening Saturday, perfect for older kids who enjoy visual arts.
: If you need Easter Bunny photos but want to skip the downtown crowds, head out to Lakeside on Saturday morning for photos and a mention of a Cottontail Train ride.A solid option for suburban families needing photos/activities on Saturday.
FREE : A classic, calm Sunday morning activity is storytime at the library for little ones up to age five. A great, no-pressure way to start Easter Sunday.This is a free, library-based activity happening on Sunday morning, catering perfectly to families with toddlers/preschoolers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in New Orleans this weekend?
This weekend (Apr 04-05) there are free events including the YALA Baby ArtsPlay! Workshop at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (Saturday), Free Admission to the Contemporary Arts Center (Saturday), and the 2nd Annual Free Easter Giveaway Celebration (Saturday). There are also several free library storytimes on Sunday.
What are the must-see family events on Easter Sunday (April 5th)?
The main draws are the famous Easter Parades winding through the French Quarter starting in the morning, and specialized events like the Easter Brunch and Garden Egg Hunt at the Four Seasons.
Where can I see the Easter Bunny this weekend?
The Easter Bunny will be at the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium throughout the weekend, at Lakeside Shopping Center on Saturday and Sunday, and making special appearances at the Easter Brunch at Marche on Sunday.
