Easter Sunday is swiftly approaching, and every family has its own well-established traditions of egg hunts, church services, delicious brunch and family time.

But this year, before the big bunny comes, Northeast Georgia residents can take advantage of some Easter festivities in the area.

In Hall County

If you live in Gainesville, several events will launch the Easter holiday during the next few weeks.

The first event is Hall County’s second annual Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt.

Children 13 years old and younger can search for Easter eggs by flashlight at dusk in a safe and controlled environment. The hunt kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Laurel Park in Gainesville.

In addition, the event will feature arts and crafts, food vendors, bounce houses, face painting and an appearance from the Easter Bunny.

Park gates open at 6:30 p.m. at 3100 Old Cleveland Highway. The car fee is $5.

For more information, visit www.hallcounty.org.

Next in Line is the annual YMCA Easter Celebration on March 19, at the J.A. Walters Family YMCA. The free event will include egg hunts for children of all ages, face painting, bouncy houses and more. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at 2455 Howard Road.

More information can be found at www.georgiamountainsymca.org.

One day later, Gainesville’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will be at the Midtown Greenway.

The event, like the YMCA Easter Celebration, is free and open to all ages.

More than 8,000 eggs will be up for grabs and the first hunt begins at 2 p.m. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will cost $5.

For more information, visit www.gainesville.org/special events.

Rounding out the citywide events will be The Longstreet Society’s third annual Easter egg hunt.

The free community event will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at Piedmont Hotel, 827 Maple St., in Gainesville.

Participants can hunt for eggs, coloring, temporary tattoos, create a Longstreet beard, and enjoy light refreshments. Parents can also bring their own cameras to snap photos of the children with the Easter Bunny.

For more information, visit www.longstreetsociety.org/Newsfeed.html.

In Dawson County

Lumpkin Campground in Dawsonville will follow the new trend of hunting for eggs at night.

The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will be from 7 p.m. to dusk Saturday, March 19, at 100 Lumpkin Campground Road.

The free event will include two bounce houses, hot dogs and snacks, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

For more information, call 706-216-6220.

In Lumpkin County

On Easter Sunday, Forrest Hills Resort Easter Lunch and Egg Hunt will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 135 Forrest Hills Road, in Dahlonega.

At this event, people of all ages may enjoy a lunch buffet followed by a free egg hunt at 1:15 a.m.

Reservations are recommended as spaces are limited. The event is $24.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 4-11 and free for children 3 and younger.

For more information, call 706-864-6456 or visit forresthillsresort.com/event/easter-brunch-and-egg-hunt-on-site/

In White County

The Magical Easter Eggstravaganza at Babyland General is scheduled for Saturday, March 19.

In its 28th year, the family-friendly event will feature cupcakes and carrots with the Easter Bunny. To have breakfast with the Easter Bunny, patrons may pay $12. Reservations are included.

Other activities include arts and crafts festival, dancing with Cabbage Patch Kid costume characters, hourly prize drawings, and a free Easter Egg hunt at 300 NOK Drive in Cleveland.

Participants can also make a stylish Spring bonnet or a fun, creative masterpiece and enter the Cabbage Patch Kid’s Easter Bonnet contest at 3 p.m.

A new addition to the day’s activities includes a car show, which begins at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded starting at 3:30 p.m.

For information about Magical Easter Eggstravaganza, visit www.whitecountychamber.org/events or contact Margaret Hata McLean at 706-865-2171, ext. 241 or at  margaret.mclean@cabbagepatchkids.com.

For some outdoor fun, the North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm in Cleveland is hosting its annual Easter Festival.

From March 24-27, patrons can pet, hold and learn about more than 10 types of rabbits, chickens, ducks and goats. But most important, several baby animals will be around to see and pet.

The annual egg hunt includes a basket and prizes for found eggs.

Admission to the egg hunt is $5. Regular admission can be paid for the other zoo attractions.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 24, and Friday, March 25, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27. 

For more information, visit www.northgeorgiazoo.com/spring--easter-festivals.html.

In Dawson County

The communitywide Easter egg hunt in Dawsonville will be on Saturday, March 26, on the football field at Veterans Memorial Park.

Sponsored by Dawson County Parks & Recreation, pre-hunt activities begin at 11:30 a.m. and include an inflatable bounce house, face painting, train rides, Easter Bunny photos, concessions and hot dog eating contest

The egg hunt will start at 2:30 p.m. and consist of more than 20,000 eggs. Those who only want to participate in the egg hunt should arrive no later than 2 p.m. to find parking and arrive at event site in time for the start of the egg hunt. 

The hunts last 2 to 5 minutes.  Children will be divided into five age groups:  0-2 years and handicap (1 parent may assist), 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years.

Admission is free; however, a cost is associated with some activities and concessions.

For more information, visit dawsoncounty.org/departments/recreation/special-events/#egghunt.

In Habersham County

The Mauldin House Gardens will host its Photos with the Easter Bunny from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26.