With lockdown easing and warmer weather upon us, this Easter break is going to be a good one.
Our second pandemic Easter bank holiday weekend is around the corner, and we’re bummed things aren’t looking a whole lot better than they did in 2020. But while we’re still spending most days indoors, the upcoming four-day Easter break will mark the first weekend with fewer restrictions after lockdown eases a bit on March 29. Finally, we can gather with one other household or five other people outside, engage in outdoor sport, and travel a bit further than our local area, perhaps to enjoy some of Birmingham’s parks and gardens. What’s more, it looks like the weather gods are sending us lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures in the coming week, so Easter is looking quite promising, we think.
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Whether you plan on taking advantage of the eased-up restrictions or prefer to celebrate in the safety of your home, here are 20 fun and pandemic-friendly things to do in Birmingham over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
1. Trade your traditional Easter dessert for these homemade Portuguese custard tarts
Let’s be honest: Easter is one of those holidays that, for the most part, revolves around binging on chocolate eggs, cake, and overly sweet desserts. If you’re looking for a new treat to make this year, this Portuguese custard tart baking class will teach you how to make a traditional Pastel de Nata at home, just in time for the Easter bank holiday weekend. Grab your tickets here.
2. Meet The Easter Bunny at this virtual Easter hunt
If you’re searching for ways to entertain the kids during this lockdown Easter, here’s a brilliant virtual Easter hunt that will excite them with immersive games and sing-alongs. Get your ticket for Saturday, April 3, here.
3. Reward yourself with these unbelievable hot cross buns
Medicine does it again. These hot cross buns are the ultimate Easter treat which offer the best of both worlds with the option of sweet and savoury fillings. The traditional buns are great whatever time of day it may be and are available from April 1 as part of the Birmingham bakery’s Easter menu. Head to either their New Street or Mailbox branches for these bakery wonders before they sell out.
4. Indulge in a good ol’ Sunday roast on Easter weekend
We all know Sunday roasts don’t require special occasions, but Easter Sunday seems like a particularly good day for a big, hearty feast. Luckily, Baked In Brick has just the trick. The restaurant knows you might not make it home this year to enjoy mum’s Easter dinner, so they’re bringing us a roast that’s almost as good as hers. They’re offering a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings inlcuding mac and cheese to mix things up a little. pre-order yours for the weekend here.
5. Challenge your friends with this Easter-themed quiz
Think you have what it takes to compete against other teams in this Fat Big Quiz of Easter? Gather your best mates and grab your tickets here for an eggciting night of trivia.
6. Practice your pub quiz skills for future game nights
This two-hour quiz covers everything from history to music, geography, film, and general knowledge. We don’t want to get rusty for when our regular pub quiz nights return, so spend your Saturday evening competing against other households in 10 virtual rounds of The Fat Big Quiz of Everything. Get your ticket for April 3 here.
7. Send your faraway loved one a personalised Thorntons Easter egg
Sadly, Thorntons will be closing all of its 61 stores in the UK permanently, meaning we can no longer go window shopping for Easter treats, even after the pandemic ends. Luckily, you can still order sweets from their online shop, and these pretty personalised eggs are the perfect gift to send to a loved one you can’t celebrate Easter with this year.
8. Celebrate longer and brighter days with a seasonal brew
The clocks have gone forward meaning we can make the most of the evenings over the weekend, so why not order a few beers from your local brewers? You can order a box of beers from Attic Brew Co in Stirchley, whose website now which features cans of spring-inspired varieties. You’ll find their session pale ale known as Perseverance, a beer with floral notes, fleshy stone fruits and a splash of orange juice that definitely says spring is here. Plus, there is Orders NEIPA, which is described as “a margarita meets mojito meets beer” due to its orange, lemon and lime flavours. Order your spring-inspired beers here.
9. Treat yourself to these absolutely adorable Easter treats
You can’t deny that Easter weekend calls for indulgence and this creation from Bake Birmingham is a wonderful Easter treat. These rabbit-hole bundt cakes feature a chocolate bundt cake, malted chocolate frosting, chocolate “dirt” and a KitKat bunny on top. We don’t care how old you are, you just have to admit that the sight of these makes you a little giddy. We’re not ashamed to say that our inner child is desperate to get its hands on one (or all) of these adorable treats. Head to their website to discover which Birmingham market you’ll find them at.
10. Dress up for a night of disco bingo at home
Kick off the long weekend with a groovy disco bingo virtual dance party on Friday, April 2. After all that dancing, you won’t have to think twice about eating that second piece of Easter cake. Get your ticket here.
11. Interrogate a crime suspect at this thrilling online experience
If a bit of suspense is more your thing, this thrilling online experience is the perfect activity for you and your housemates. Together, you have an hour to interrogate a suspect in a blackmail case and prove your skills as detectives. Get your ticket for any of the Easter weekend evenings here.
12. Save the world from invading aliens in this suspenseful immersive experience
Serial killers are too boring for you? We hear ya. Enter the “Twilight Zoom” and save us all from the alien invaders trying to take over Planet Earth. Invite your household to join you in this immersive, one-hour game. Get your ticket here.
13. Welcome spring with this Easter afternoon tea
Supporting small businesses has been more important than ever since lockdown began, so why not order an afternoon tea featuring products from local brands? You can order an afternoon tea from The Early Bird Bakery in collaboration with Fire and Rice, which includes beef rendang curry, Sai Oua ‘northern Thai-style’ Scotch egg, aubergine karipap, conbini hotdog baked in a croissant. As for sweets, you’ll find a peanut chocolate fondant tart and miso caramel sauce, buttermilk scones, plus a lime and kalamansi meringue choux. Delivery and collection is available on April 3 and 4 and you can order your afternoon tea here.
14. Spoil someone special with this indulgent Easter cheesecake
Another perfect Easter treat you can enjoy during a picnic in your local green space whilst catching up with friends or family. This decadent slice of deliciousness from Urban Cheesecake will make other park-goers envy you from six feet of social distance away. The special edition tart cheesecake is dressed in a milk chocolate ganache and topped with Cadburys mini eggs, Creme Egg and a chocolate bunny. Plus, you can order it as part of a DIY kit in collaboration with Bare Bones Pizza here.
15. Get some fresh air with a trip out of the city
The government has given the green light for people living in England to leave their local area as the ‘stay at home’ rule is now lifted. So if you fancy a bit of freedom from those usual four walls, head to the hills or a park or garden for some fresh air and enjoy some of your new-found freedom.