Meaningful Destinations to Celebrate Easter

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Mon March 30, 2026

Holy Week and Easter often occur during the American spring break travel period, allowing Christian travelers to enjoy a much-needed rest and travel experience during the holiday.

Yet while many enjoy flying to warmer climes over Easter week, many struggle to combine their traditional religious celebrations with their travel experiences—but that’s not the way it has to be.

Christians traveling over Easter and Holy Week have plenty of options to worship and celebrate the most important holiday of their religious calendar, from attending a local church service wherever they happen to be to taking part in some destination-specific religious festivities.

While the list of destinations we’ve curated below isn’t long, we hope it’ll inspire travelers to continue practicing their faith while traveling, wherever they might be heading this spring break.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, historic cities in America, second cities, historic towns in florida

St. Augustine, Florida is home to the oldest European history in the United States, founded by the Spaniards in 1565. The city’s been celebrating Easter ever since, and is home to the oldest Catholic parish in the United States.

Such a storied legacy means the destination does its religious celebrations in a big way. It’s hosted a St. Patrick’s Day parade since 1601, and today, it starts the long spring religious festival season.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine holds Palm Sunday on March 29, followed by the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, which dates back centuries. On March 30, there’s a Royal Knighting Ceremony honoring upstanding St. Augustine locals by the St. Augustine Royal Family (yep, you read that right - the city even has its own Spanish royal family).

April 2 is for the kids, where several parks turn themselves into Easter egg hunting grounds, complete with the Easter Bunny.

On April 3, Colonial Church offers a Good Friday service at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. On April 4, the city holds the city’s 67th annual Easter Parade, complete with the Parade of Horses and Carriages celebrating the city’s history.

April 5 will offer several different early morning and sunrise services for Easter worshippers, including a non-denominational sunrise service on the grounds of the Castillo de San Marcos; a Baptist service at Crescent Beach Baptist Church on the beach; a sunrise service outside at Memorial Presbyterian Church; and an Easter Sunday mass at the outdoor Rustic Altar at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Le Cheche at Mission Nombre de Dios, where the first recorded mass was held in 1565.

Later that day, St. Augustine locals and visitors take part in the Easter Promenade at the Plaza de la Constitucion, with prizes for Best Dressed categories.

Active travelers and pilgrims should also take note: the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, begins at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine on May 24 and 25. The pilgrimage route reaches as far north as New Hampshire and Maine and will end on July 4th in Philadelphia.

Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala is home to some amazing centuries-old Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations. Parades and processionals define this celebration, as locals called cucuruchos, penitents dressed in traditional robes, carry elaborate religious floats to brass band music.

Travelers visiting during this time can also enjoy watching and admiring the alfombras, colored sawdust carpets that depict religious scenes and imagery, as well as local symbols, created on the streets of Antigua, sometimes taking weeks to design and carry out.

Lastly, local cathedrals and parishes will offer Easter services in Spanish for travelers to experience.

Villa Bokéh is a great option for those wanting to experience Easter the Antiguan way, located within the heart of the city on a six-acre garden estate. The hotel offers an Easter Sunday Brunch that draws both residents and travelers alike, while guests of the hotel can enjoy private tours and transportation arranged by the hotel during their stay.

Tennessee

There are three major destinations in Tennessee that offer special experiences for Christians celebrating Easter during their spring break.

Travelers heading to Nashville have no lack of amazing ways to celebrate at local churches throughout the city, with gospel services to celebration trails. Families with kids will enjoy Eggscape Day, an interactive Easter egg hunt with treats, entertainment and themed spots throughout the city.

Nature lovers can admire the beauty of God’s creation at Gatlinburg SkyPark, which is hosting a special Easter Sunrise Service atop Crockett Mountain, where the Smoky Mountains will be illuminated by the light of the sun as it rises on Easter Sunday.

Lastly, in Memphis, travelers will pair their Easter Sunday services with the start of the Memphis Botanic Garden BLOOM Festival, where they can delight in the renewal and rebirth that spring symbolizes.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs, Arksansas, easter, christ of the ozarks, religious sites

Eureka Springs, Arkansas might be best known for the Ozarks, but the destination celebrates Easter with several fun events.

Beyond offering several different services for Easter at area churches, Christians heading to Eureka Springs can participate in the Celebrate Jesus Weekend & Parade, held April 3 through the 5th this year. The downtown offers live music in Basin Spring Park all weekend, culminating in a Celebrate Jesus parade on Saturday before Easter.

On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, travelers will have the chance to watch The Great Passion Play, an outdoor drama that’s been performing in the town since 1968. It’s held outside in a 4,000-seat amphitheater and is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Lastly, is The Christ of the Ozarks, a year-round pilgrimage site which stands atop Magnetic Mountain and resembles the Christ in Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of visitors flock to the statue every Easter weekend, and there’s even a sunrise Easter service that’s held there every year.

Florida Keys & Key West

Easter, easter egg hunts, key west, spring break

Travelers heading to warm weather for Easter in the Florida Keys and Key West can enjoy numerous Easter sunrise services on Easter Sunday, enjoying the region’s amazing natural beauty that complements the celebration of rebirth and resurrection.

Families with children can follow up their time worshipping with the 9th Annual Easter Egg Roll at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, where they’ll engage in classic spring activities. Sunset Watersports on Key West also offers Easter-themed excursions during the long holiday weekend.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.