Easter egg hunts: 16 things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta

This Is Why We Eat Chocolate Bunnies for Easter Though Easter is celebrated by Christians remembering Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, chocolate bunnies can be found everywhere. But according to the 'Encyclopedia of Religion,' "the Easter bunny has never received any specific Christian interpretation." That's because much of the Easter bunny tradition is derived from Ostara, the Germanic pre-Christian fertility goddess. The word "Easter" stems from her name, and it is said thatshe used to h

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in metro Atlanta? Easter egg hunts – which often have lots of other activities featured at the same event – are out in full swing.

You'll also find events that let you browse and buy a variety of interesting items including plants, gems and international foods and goods.

Check out the following 16 things to do with your family this weekend in metro Atlanta:

Cobb

Marietta Community Egg Hunt. 5-9 p.m. Friday, April 19. Free admission, $7 per child for unlimited rides. Marietta High School practice fields behind the school, 1171 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta. 770-423-1330. https://www.mariettaegghunt.com/.

Join in an evening of fun with food, games, hot air balloons, music, activities and 90,000 eggs and pieces of candy. Proceeds will go to support Marietta City Schools via the Marietta Business Association Education Programs.

Swap, shop or bring gems to have identified or to sell at the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society Rock Swap this Saturday.

Credit: From the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society's Facebook page

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Credit: From the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society's Facebook page

Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society Rock Swap. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Free admission. 516 W. Atlanta St. NE, Marietta. https://www.ccgms.org/ccgms-annual-rock-swap.

Shop for gems and minerals or bring your own to show, sell or trade. Free identifications are offered, so bring your mystery finds to get information about them.

Garden Fair and Plant Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. Free admission. Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. https://www.cobbmastergardeners.com/.

Shop for plants as well as yard art, birdhouses and more from more than 65 vendors. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." 8 p.m. Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21. $25 and up. $25 general admission, $40 dinner and a show. Lyric Studio on the Square, 12 Powder Springs St., Marietta. 678-664-9343. http://mariettatheatre.com/.

Presented by the Marietta Theatre Company, this version of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" offers a fresh approach with two new songs added to the original 12.

DeKalb

75th Annual Easter Sunrise Service. 7-8 a.m. service time with park gates opening at 3 a.m. and Summit Skyride opening at 4 a.m. $20 for one-day parking permit, free for church vans and buses. $15 round-trip Skyride, $12 one way. Walking up to the top of the mountain is free. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain. 1-800-401-2407. https://www.stonemountainpark.com/.

Join in the tradition by celebrating Easter Sunday at Stone Mountain. Two simultaneous interdenominational Easter services will be held at the top and base of the mountain, and if you're planning to attend, allow an extra hour or more for large crowds.

Beat the Street for Little Feet. 7 a.m. race day registration, 7:45 a.m. warm-up, 8 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m. one-mile Fun Run, 9:15 a.m. Tot Trot. Saturday, April 20. $18-$35. Harmony Park, Oakview Road, in the parking lot near Mead Street, Decatur. http://oakhurstcoop.com/beat-the-street/.

The entire family can participate in this Oakhurst Cooperative School event, which features a 5K, one-mile Fun Run and Tot Trot as well as a Backyard Bash after the race. Participants also receive a T-shirt with an original "Pete the Cat" design created by illustrator James Dean.

Easter Egg Hunt. 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 20. Free. Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven. https://www.brookhavenga.gov/.

Enjoy a choral performance by Brookhaven Innovation at 10 a.m. and hunt for eggs at 10:30 a.m. Bring your own basket and enjoy light breakfast snacks and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg Hunt and Dog Parade. 10 a.m.-noon. Saturday, April 20. Free. Willis Park, 51 Dartmouth Ave., Avondale Estates. https://www.facebook.com/.

Bring your kids up to 10 years old to hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny. You can also bring your pet along for the Dog Parade, which is held during the Easter Egg Hunt, and dress your dog in a costume if you'd like.

North Fulton

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 20 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Free admission. 6100 Lake Forrest Drive NE, Sandy Springs. http://sandyspringsartsapalooza.com/.

This two-day outdoor festival brings art to the streets of Sandy Springs with interactive stations, musicians, a children's play area and up to 150 arts and crafts participants.

Bird Watching. 8-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20. Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs. www.sandyspringsga.gov.

Take a family-friendly bird walk led by the Atlanta Audubon Society as you start at Overlook Park and head to historic Morgan Falls Dam. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Braxton and the Renditions. 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 19. Free. The Plaza at Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000. https://www.awesomealpharetta.com/.

Sing and dance as Braxton and The Renditions work their way through the ultimate playlist with songs from The Beatles, Queen, Blink 182, Tom Petty and more.

Wild Weekend at Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center offers activities for the entire family.

Credit: From Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center's Facebook page

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Credit: From Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center's Facebook page

Wild Weekend at Autrey Mill. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 20. $10 or $5 with family level membership. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center, 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek. 678-366-3511. http://autreymill.org/wild-weekend/.

Bring the family to participate in games, nature crafts and popular features like the Bubble Creation Station.

Gwinnett

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt/Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Rossie Brundage Park, 437 Autry Street NW, Norcross. http://www.norcrossga.net/925/Holidays.

The City of Norcross is hosting a traditional Easter egg hunt as well as a separate one for children with special needs and their families. This environment is safe and inclusive and will be wheelchair accessible and sensory-friendly. The traditional hunt starts at 10 a.m. and the special needs hunt starts at 1 p.m. and requires an RSVP.

Influencers Church Blacklight Easter Egg Hunt and Family Carnival. 9 and 11:30 a.m. church and kids' services, staggered egg hunt times start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 21. Free. Peachtree Ridge High School, 1555 Old Peachtree Road NW, Suwanee. http://www.influencers.life/eastergwinnett.

Let the kids participate in a blacklight Easter egg hunt with 40,000 eggs and enjoy activities including pony rides, face painting, petting zoo, Easter Bunny visit and more. Advance registration at the website is required for the egg hunt and children's activities.

Neighborhood Night Market. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, April 19 and 3 p.m.-midnight Saturday, April 20. Free admission. 3142 Hill St. NW, Duluth. http://atlnightmarket.org/duluth-nnm-2019/.

"Taste the world" with a selection of food and drinks from 20 vendors, watch international performances, shop local retail and artisan vendors' wares and let the kids play in their own zone.

Historic Norcross Trolley Tour. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20. $5. The Crossing Parking Lot, 40 S. Peachtree St., Norcross. 678-421-2048 or 678-421-2049. http://www.norcrossga.net/.

Take the trolley through downtown historic Norcross to see local landmarks such as the Cotton Gin, and along the way you'll get samples and mini cocktails from local merchants and receive a coupon booklet for local shops and restaurants.