Easter 2027 in Winston-Salem is March 28: the Moravian Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem, the city's spring events, Good Friday closings and brunch.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from Visit Winston-Salem, Home Moravian Church, the City of Winston-Salem calendar and the city’s holiday schedule. City questions: CityLink, 311 or 336-727-8000.

Easter 2027 is Sunday, March 28, and it falls in the week WS/FCS spring break is reported to start (see spring break). Winston-Salem’s best-known Easter tradition is the Moravian Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem. Egg hunts are mostly run by churches, farms and neighboring towns, which post their dates in March; we list the city’s 2026 events below with the year each date is from, and we will add 2027 hunts as organizers announce them.

What this means for you

  • The sunrise service starts in the dark; wear walking shoes and warm layers.
  • City offices close Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and WSTA buses do not run that day.
  • Easter brunch: book early; see our brunch guide for restaurants.

Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem

Salem Congregation’s Easter Sunrise Service has been “held continuously for more than 250 years” in Old Salem, according to Visit Winston-Salem. In its 2025 guide:

  • The Moravian brass church band starts at 2 a.m., walking the city streets and playing traditional hymns.
  • Just before sunrise, the service begins outside Home Moravian Church, at Academy and South Church streets, then the congregation follows it to God’s Acre, the Moravian graveyard, while the band plays from different corners of the cemetery.
  • It is dark on arrival and there is a fair amount of walking. Ushers direct people, parking is in several Old Salem and nearby lots, restrooms are available, and a hospitality station near Salem Square at 455 S. Main St. serves free coffee and Moravian sugar cake.
  • Anyone using a wheelchair can be dropped off near the square before the car is parked.

The 2027 service is on Easter Sunday, March 28. Home Moravian Church posts its Holy Week and Easter schedule and a livestream on its website.

Egg hunts and spring events

The city’s Recreation and Parks events in spring 2026, for reference. The 2027 dates are not out yet; check the city calendar in March.

2026 date Event Where
6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Eggtravaganza: paint and dye eggs Hanes Hosiery Community Center, 501 Reynolds Blvd.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 Spring Takes Flight: live music, kite making, paper airplanes Georgia E. Taylor Neighborhood Center, 1471 W. Clemmonsville Road
6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026 Spring Spark Fam Jam: field day games and karaoke; registration required Georgia E. Taylor Neighborhood Center

Sources: the city’s listings for Eggtravaganza, Spring Takes Flight and Spring Spark Fam Jam. Hanes Hosiery Community Center: 336-727-2428.

Church, farm and neighborhood egg hunts: organizers can send us the date, time, ages and address, and we will add them here.

Easter brunch

We list Easter brunch only from restaurants’ own pages, and most post their Easter menus in March. Restaurants that serve brunch every weekend are in our brunch guide.

Good Friday and Easter closings

  • City offices: closed Good Friday, March 26, 2027, according to the holiday schedule.
  • WSTA buses: no service on Good Friday, according to its holiday schedule.
  • Library: the Forsyth County Public Library closed on Good Friday in 2026, and its Central Library is the only branch open Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m., according to the library.
  • Trash: on Good Friday 2026, Friday garbage and recycling were collected Saturday. See trash and recycling for the 2027 calendar when it is posted.

More: kids’ activities and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Easter 2027?

Sunday, March 28, 2027. Good Friday is March 26, a city of Winston-Salem holiday.

What is the Moravian Easter Sunrise Service in Winston-Salem?

A service held in Old Salem for more than 250 years. It begins just before sunrise outside Home Moravian Church and moves to God’s Acre, the Moravian graveyard, while brass bands play, according to Visit Winston-Salem.

Are there Easter egg hunts in Winston-Salem?

Yes, mostly run by churches, farms and neighboring towns, and they post dates in March. In 2026 the city held Eggtravaganza, an egg painting and dyeing night, on April 1 at Hanes Hosiery Community Center. We will add 2027 hunts as organizers post them.

Is trash picked up on Good Friday in Winston-Salem?

On Good Friday 2026 the city collected Friday garbage and recycling on Saturday. The 2027 holiday calendar has not been posted yet.