1. Fun Easter Activities for Families
2. Easter Performances and Sunrise Services
Easter Performances and Sunrise Services
The Toronto Passion Play
Since 1993, volunteers at Queensway Cathedral have worked together to present the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. According to their website, the current version of this production involves over 250 volunteers, live animals, and elaborate production values.
Admission is free, although a collection will be taken. Also free is the on-site parking, and a nursery service Queensway Cathedral provides for children 6 months to 3 years old. Doors open one hour before show time, and the audience is admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The website advises that both shows on Good Friday (April 10th) and the evening show on the Saturday after usually fill up completely, so you'll want to be particularly early for those.
- 2009 Performances: Saturday April 4th 7:00pm, Sunday April 5th 4:00pm, Friday April 10th 2:00pm & 7:00pm, Saturday April 11th 2:00pm & 7:00pm, Sunday April 12th 4:00pm.
- Queensway Cathedral, 1536 The Queensway, on the north side a few blocks west of Kipling
- For more tips, visit The Toronto Passion Play website
Good Friday - The Glory of Easter - North York Temple Band of the Salvation Army
A free concert featuring the North York Temple Band and the Senior and Junior Choirs. You can reserve tickets in advance or try at the door, although according to the website the concert often sells out.- Friday April 10th, Doors 6pm, Concert 7:30pm
- 25 Centre Ave, North York (off Yonge Street, South of Steeles)
- Reserve tickets or learn more at http://www.nytband.com
Good Friday - Sacred Music for a Sacred Place - Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
On Good Friday the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir will be performing Anton Bruckner's Mass No. 2 in E minor and Motets at St. Paul's Basilica. Tickets range from $15 (for those 15-25 years old) to $45.- Friday April 10th, 7:30pm (pre-concert chat begins at 6:45pm)
- St. Paul's Basilica, 83 Power Street (at Queen St E)
- Order tickets through the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir website
Good Friday - All Creation Wept - Metropolitan United Church
Music from Britain and poetry read and composed by Patricia Orr. Tickets are $20.- Friday April 10th, 7:30pm
- Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen Street East, 2 blocks east of the Queen Subway station
Easter Sunday - Services Around Toronto
If you're new to Toronto or your congregation is not having a sunrise service, here are a few of the many churches around Toronto that will be worshiping near daybreak on Easter Sunday. This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you do have a local church you attend I highly recommend inquiring with them first to see if there's a service they are directing the congregation towards.Many sunrise services are not held at the church. Visit the websites for details of when and where the congregation is meeting, and on the beliefs central to each group.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew (McCowan/Lawrence)
- Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church (Kingston/Eglington)
- Danforth Community Church (Donlands/Danforth)
- The Church of the Resurrection (Anglican) (Woodbine/Danforth)
- Beach United Church (Woodbine/Queen East)
- Rosedale United Church (Mt. Pleasant/Roxborough)
- Metropolitan United Church (Church/Queen East)
- First Evangelical Lutheran Church (Yonge/Dundas)
- Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church (Royal York/Lakeshore)
Easter Sunrise Breakfast, Egg Hunt, Service and Parade - North York Temple of the Salvation Army
The North York Temple will be serving a free community breakfast at 9am on Easter Sunday. All are welcome but pre-registration is required - call 416-225-7968. It will be followed by a Children's Easter Egg Hunt with over 400 eggs (10am) then after the service (11am) there will be a March of Witness Parade led by the North York Temple Band (12:30pm) which you are welcome to join in or watch.- Sunday April 12th, beginning at 9am
- 25 Centre Ave, North York (off Yonge Street, South of Steeles)
- http://www.nytband.com
