Easter 2026 comes early — Good Friday is on 3 April, Easter Sunday on 5 April and the bank holiday Monday on 6 April; check an official calendar to confirm regional bank‑holiday variations. A three-day bank holiday gives families a useful long weekend for egg hunts and short trips, and many parents use it to squeeze in a break before the new school term begins. This guide aims to list popular Easter events across the UK, with dates, estimated prices and booking links — use it as a starting point and double-check details on the venues' own sites.

Quick-reference summary

- Key dates: Good Friday 3 April 2026; Easter Sunday 5 April 2026; Easter Monday 6 April 2026. School holidays are typically the two weeks that include Easter.

- Best for toddlers: National Trust egg hunts and local farm parks — low cost, short travel time.

- Best for big kids: Zoo Easter trails and science centres with hands-on workshops.

- Best for a long weekend: City breaks with a museum trail plus a half-day countryside visit.

- Budget per family of four for a day out: roughly £40–£120 (see Budget section).

Key dates and planning windows

The public holidays give a neat three-day window: Good Friday (3 April), Easter Sunday (5 April) and Easter Monday (6 April). Many venues run themed trails and activities across the full bank-holiday weekend — and often for the weekend before and the week after. Many attractions expand their Easter programming around the bank holiday, so expect events on weekends either side of Easter; confirm exact schedules with each venue.

School Easter holiday lengths vary by local authority and school — some have one week, others two — so check your school's published term dates. That makes mid-week family visits quieter than the bank-holiday days — handy if avoiding crowds is the plan. Still, book the must-do activities early: popular Egg Hunts, theatre shows and limited-capacity workshops often sell out in March.

Best picks around the UK

Below are family favourites that often run Easter activities; contact the attraction directly to confirm what they'll be offering in 2026. Each entry includes where to book.

London: Kew Gardens, ZSL London Zoo and Southbank

Kew Gardens runs family trails and seasonal activities — expect a ticketed Easter trail for children with tickets available from the Kew website (https://www.kew.org). ZSL London Zoo stages 'Easter animal encounters' and themed trails; book via https://www.zsl.org. The Southbank Centre often programmes family shows across the holiday weekend — check https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk for family theatre and workshops.

South West: Eden Project and National Trust estates

The Eden Project in Cornwall typically has hands-on activities and wildlife trails over Easter — tickets are available at https://www.edenproject.com. Many National Trust properties put on Easter egg hunts and craft sessions across their gardens and farms; search local events at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Midlands: Cadbury World and Stratford-upon-Avon

Cadbury World in Birmingham usually runs an Easter season with chocolate-themed trails and family workshops — book at https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk. Stratford hosts family-friendly theatre and outdoor trails around Shakespeare’s birthplace; check local theatre sites and Visit Stratford for listings.

North of England: Chester Zoo, Beamish and Lake District

Chester Zoo stages themed trails over Easter and often offers timed slots; book via https://www.chesterzoo.org. Beamish Museum runs seasonal demonstrations and children’s activities — find tickets at https://www.beamish.org.uk. For a quieter long weekend, the Lake District has family walks and organised kids’ trails in many visitor centres — see local National Trust pages or https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk.

Scotland and Wales: Edinburgh Zoo and Cardiff events

Edinburgh Zoo typically runs an 'Easter Eggstravaganza' with trails and special feeds; tickets at https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk. In Wales, Cardiff Bay and local museums offer family events and trail leaflets during the holidays — Visit Cardiff maintains an events list.

Prices — what to expect and booking links

Prices do vary — the ranges below are rough estimates; always check the official ticket pages before you buy. Booking online in advance usually saves money.

- Zoo or large attraction (adult): from around £18–£30 per person when booked online. Child tickets often sit between £10–£20. Example booking portals: ZSL London Zoo (https://www.zsl.org), Chester Zoo (https://www.chesterzoo.org).

- Botanical gardens and pay-to-enter parks: adult entry typically from £12–£22; child tickets from £6–£12. See Kew (https://www.kew.org) and Eden (https://www.edenproject.com).

Mastheads

- Historic houses and National Trust paid sites: many run free member events; non-member day tickets usually range £8–£25 per adult depending on the site. Check https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk and individual house pages for exact fees.

- Family trails, workshops and egg hunts: child participation fees typically from £3–£12 per child on top of admission. Often free for under-fives. Book via each attraction’s event page.

- Theatre and family shows: matinee tickets for children usually £8–£20; adults slightly more. Buy through theatre websites and regional box offices.

Practical tips and insider recommendations

Book early — it sounds obvious because it matters: small workshops and Easter morning slots often sell out well in advance, so reserve spots as soon as you can. Buy timed-entry tickets where offered — they cut queue time by half and let the day breathe.

Choose quieter days. Avoid Good Friday and Easter Monday if crowds are the enemy. Mid-week between the two bank holidays is often calmer and cheaper for accommodation.

Pack for mixed April weather: lightweight waterproofs, spare socks and a small picnic blanket will keep the day comfortable if clouds or rain appear. If there’s mud, wellies will save a tantrum.

Arrive early for free parking. Many car parks near attractions fill by late morning. If using public transport, check Sunday service timetables and rail engineering works — National Rail and local operators list planned changes well in advance.

Look for family tickets and sibling discounts. Some attractions have two adult + two child bundles; others run loyalty schemes that reward repeat visits. National Trust membership is worth checking if planning multiple visits — members often get free entry to events and reduced parking.

Use official booking links. Avoid third-party resellers for time-slot events. Official pages are listed above for every venue mentioned.

Budget planning — sample costs and saving hacks

Here are three sample budgets for a family of four (two adults, two children) for a typical Easter day out and for a two-night long weekend. These are example ranges — book early to hit the lower end.

Day out — low cost: train or short drive £10–£30; attraction entry (park or farm) £20–£40; picnic lunch £10–£20; extras (ice creams, small souvenirs) £10–£20. Total: £50–£110.

Day out — mid-range: travel £20–£60; attraction (zoo or paid garden) £50–£100; lunch in café £30–£50; extras and parking £20–£40. Total: £120–£250.

Basically, long weekend (2 nights) — budget family break: travel £50–£150; self-catering cottage or budget B&B £140–£300 (two nights); two attractions or paid events £80–£160; food and local travel £80–£150. Total: £350–£760.

Saving hacks

- Picnic where possible: café prices add up. Bring portable snacks and refillable water bottles.

- Free alternatives: town Easter parades, library events and community egg hunts are often free and good for little ones.

- Multi-attraction passes: if visiting more than one paid attraction, check for family passes or combination tickets that cut entry costs.

- Use railcards and group discounts: families and young children often reduce overall travel costs — National Rail has family-saving options and many operators offer advance fares.

Final booking checklist

- Confirm dates: Good Friday 3 April; Easter Sunday 5 April; Easter Monday 6 April 2026.

- Book timed tickets online and print or download confirmations.

- Pack waterproofs, snacks and a small first-aid kit.

- Check travel timetables 24–48 hours before departure for engineering works or service changes.

- Carry cash for small local purchases; most places accept cards but some pop-up stalls are cash-only.

Above all — keep expectations flexible. Kids get tired, weather changes and plans shift. But with a little planning, a long Easter weekend in the UK can mean memorable egg hunts, muddy puddles and a few peaceful moments of proper family time.

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Easter 2026 gives a neat three-day bank-holiday window and plenty of family-friendly events across the UK. Book early, pick quieter weekdays where possible, and balance a big-ticket attraction with a low-cost local trail to keep costs down. Check the official booking links listed for exact times and ticket prices, and enjoy the long weekend — chocolate will help if plans go awry.

This article was created with AI assistance.