EASTER

Central Floridians share the good, the bad and the bunny with photos and videos of their Easter experiences.

Ukrainian authorities say weekend shelling by Russian forces killed at least seven civilians.

Ukrainians have marked Palm Sunday in the country's most revered Orthodox site that has been at the heart of a religious dispute playing out in parallel with the war against Russia.

Windy and gray Easter Sunday in Central Florida

Pope Francis was presiding over Easter vigil Mass at the Vatican.

Leaders at Orlando International Airport predict nearly 7.3 million departing passengers will travel through MCO during the 46-day spring break travel period, which runs from March 4 through April 18.

It’s becoming increasingly likely that a disturbance will develop in the Gulf of Mexico post Easter weekend. Just because a disturbance develops, however, doesn’t mean it will be tropical.

Dodging a few storms Saturday, turning cooler and Gray Easter Sunday

From dressing as Roman soldiers in Antigua, Guatemala, to carrying palm fronds on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, Christians around the world are celebrating Holy Week.

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Eight Filipinos have been nailed to crosses to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a bloody Good Friday tradition.

The weather news you need to know from News 6 meteorologists.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Orlando Resort is bringing back a savory limited-time Easter milkshake that no-bunny wants to miss.

Island H20 Water Park is hopping into the Easter holiday with an egg-citing celebration for park guests.

Dozens of volunteers came together on Thursday to help feed families in Volusia County ahead of the Easter holiday.

We're giving away two sets of Island H2O family 4-pack season passes in celebration of Easter. All you have to do is share an Easter pic or video with us.

There figures to be a lot of smiling faces, color and clever decorations, and we want to see it!

There’s no better excuse to try out a new breakfast recipe than Easter.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning a lineup of exciting activities for the Easter holiday weekend.

Everything from family photos at church and festive decorated Easter eggs, to #EasterFails like a hilarious bunny video or failed Easter cake attempt we want to see it all. It can be a new or old photo or video. We'll be sharing some of your memories during our newscasts.

Many Christians around the world flock to Jerusalem each Easter to try and relive firsthand the events written about in the Bible on what is the most important week and day on the Christian calendar.

Whenever I hear the name Peeps, my initial reaction is always the same: why?

ICON Park has welcomed back the Easter bunny for a limited time.Now through April 8, guests can visit the Easter Bunny Garden Experience to get spring photos.

Fasting across religions is practiced for a wide range of reasons that include spiritual purification and self-discipline.

Sumter County Animal Services is hosting an Easter-themed adoption eggstravaganza that gives a variety of cats and dogs the chance to find their “furever” homes.

Limited-time event running through Easter

Britain has announced a new round of sanctions against Russia.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has been removed from the latest round of European Union measures to punish Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the insistence of Hungary.

When guests step inside the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, they might spot some hidden Easter eggs that pay tribute to Disney history, attractions and more.

The Osceola School District will hold a job fair to hire 40 more bus drivers and 140 additional bus attendants for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.

Even during Easter, it was oddly dangerous.

Far from home and unsure when or even if they will ever return, Ukrainians displaced by war gathered at churches across Eastern Europe on Sunday for the Orthodox Easter holiday.

Many Ukrainian Americans are observing Orthodox Easter this Sunday, but they’re finding it difficult to be joyful when their ancestral homeland has been torn by the Russian invasion.

Dirt will be back on NASCAR’s schedule next year and likely on Easter Sunday again if Fox Sports has its way.

More than 400 Detroit families came to Faith Xperience Church to watch 10,000 eggs drop from a helicopter!

Three mass shootings in the U.S. over the Easter holiday weekend capped a month of rampant gun violence that's touched both big cities and small, rural communities across the nation.

Christian worshipers gathered in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Seplucher, the traditional site of Jesus’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection, to observe the Easter holiday.

Pope Francis has made an Easter plea for peace in Ukraine and in other wars in the world.

It’s a humid start, but most of Central Florida will be dry through the early afternoon. Look for a few stray downpours to develop after about 2 p.m.

For many Christians, this weekend marks the first time in three years they will gather in person to celebrate Easter Sunday, a welcome chance to share one of the faith’s holiest days side-by-side with fellow parishioners.

Pope Francis invoked “gestures of peace in these days marked by the horror of war” in an Easter vigil homily in St. Peter’s Basilica attended by the mayor of the occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol and three Ukrainian lawmakers.

Rain chances aren’t zero Saturday, but they are on the lower side. Expect a few stray storms to develop through the afternoon, but most of Central Florida will remain dry.

Denika Robbins, with Orlando Rabbit Care and Adoptions, recently sat down to talk more about it on Florida’s Fourth Estate with hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin.

Here’s a synopsis of both the historical elements of Easter that people might not know about, and the modern financial windfall Easter is expected to be in 2022.

All in-office and online FLHSMV driver's license services to be unavailable from 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday.

A trend that seems to be sweeping the internet the past few Easter seasons is naturally dyed eggs.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning a lineup of exciting activities for the Easter holiday weekend.

Rain, rain is on the way.

Easter is near, and while it’s a fun time full of sweet family moments, there’s also some potential for things to go wrong.

A chilly start gives way to a very nice day in Central Florida.

It’s almost Easter in Ukraine, where a trio of churches on the far edges of the capital have faith, hope and charity to consider.

Pope Francis opened Holy Week Sunday with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace, highlighting the need for leaders to “make some sacrifices for the good of the people.”.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium has announced upcoming spring activities for the month of April, just in time for Easter.

The resort is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary celebration, and now is the perfect time to celebrate the season and upcoming Easter holiday. If you plan on visiting, we have uncovered a number of fun activities for families to experience while out exploring the theme parks and nearby resort hotels.

British travelers faced more disruptions during the Easter holiday break as two major airlines, British Airways and easyJet, canceled about 100 flights Wednesday.

Step into ICON Park’s bunny garden starting next week for family photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny.

It’s hard to believe that spring is right around the corner and Lent is here.

A Florida therapy horse is in the running to be the next Cadbury bunny in this year’s contest.

Many people spent part of their Easter morning getting vaccinated at the Valencia College west campus FEMA site as it prepares to open up to people 18 and older Monday.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a woman considered missing and endangered who was last seen Saturday morning in Ocala.

The arrival of vaccines is giving air travel a much-needed boost one year into the pandemic.

Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with worshippers spaced apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday in a row.

Religious leaders gear up and prep for Easter Sunday by not only providing a COVID-safe place to worship, but COVID vaccination shots as well.

Italy has entered a three-day nationwide coronavirus lockdown to deter Easter travel and get-togethers.

It’s feeling more like a winter morning across Central Florida on the third day of April.

French hospitals have brought in extra staff for the Easter holiday weekend to cope with growing numbers of virus patients.

Churches in Orange County will have in-person Easter services on Sunday for the first time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Korea’s daily increase in coronavirus infections exceeded 500 for the fourth straight day, a pace unseen since January, as experts raise concern about another viral surge amid a slow rollout in vaccines.

Italy may be in a strict coronavirus lockdown this Easter, with travel restricted between regions and new quarantines imposed.

For a second year, Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday without the mass pilgrimages usually seen in the Holy Week leading up to Easter because of the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its guidance for family gatherings during Easter amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“There needs to be a quiet Easter festival,” Merkel said in a video address. AdIn contrast, Britain has given one vaccine shot to 46% of its people. Health Minister Jens Spahn said routine vaccinations will begin in doctors' practices on Tuesday, with 35,000 GPs scheduled to receive 940,000 vaccine doses next week. Germany expects to receive about 40 million vaccine doses during the second quarter. AdMerkel, who is 66, says she would be prepared to take the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Approaching one year anniversary of the Easter Tornado Outbreak across the Deep South. We take a look back at the damages.

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of coronavirus walk in downtown Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)MADRID – Spain’s Madrid region halted COVID-19 vaccinations Thursday at health centers for four days so medical staff can rest over the Easter holiday, despite pleas from the national government not to halt the fight against surging infections. Health Minister Carolina Darias last week urged regional authorities to keep vaccinating over the Easter break, saying it was “very important” to keep up the inoculation program. Spain, like other European Union nations, has had a surprisingly slow vaccine rollout that authorities blame on vaccine shortages. AdIt also noted that vaccine shots will still be administered at a city hospital and a city soccer stadium over the traditional Easter break.

For Christians across the United States, Easter services on Sunday will reflect an extra measure of joy as the nation experiences rising optimism after a year of pandemic. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)For Christians across the United States, Easter services on Sunday will reflect an extra measure of joy as the nation experiences rising optimism after a year of pandemic. It’s a season of major holy days for other faiths as well, occurring in a brighter mood than a year ago. Jews are observing Passover this week, and Muslims will enter the holy month of Ramadan in about two weeks. AdDas said he loves the festival because it celebrates diversity: “It acknowledges that we complement each other — different ethnicities, different nationalities, different genders.

TAMPA, Fla. – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning a lineup of fun and special activities for the Easter holiday weekend. The events will be available to guests with park reservations from this Friday through Sunday. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Food & Wine Festival is currently underway. Guests will also get a chance to attend physically-distant concerts and ride the theme park’s world-class attractions. AdUse the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, sent every Friday morning.

"Thunderstorms off to the east" Photo Credit: Teresa JenkinsORLANDO, Fla. – A front stalled out across Central Florida will will lead to on-and-off scattered showers Tuesday. [TRENDING: COVID after the vaccine | Bugsy, the French bulldog, stolen at gunpoint | SpaceX aims to fly -- and avoid explosion]Orlando will reach a high near 90. Highs on Wednesday will again be near 90, with a 20% chance of rain. Once the front moves through, Central Florida will cool back down. Expect a high of 75 on Thursday, with a 20% chance of rain, and a high of 67 on Friday, under sunny skies.

Fla. – We are pinpointing a cloudy day on Monday across Central Florida, with highs topping off near 80. A week front will bring clouds and a few sprinkles on and off through the afternoon. The normal high in Orlando on this date is 80. Highs will reach the upper 80s Tuesday and Wednesday before a new front drops temperatures on Friday to a high of 67 in Orlando. We will be dry for Easter weekend, with a high of 76 degrees on Sunday.

As Romania battles against a surge of COVID-19 infections authorities announced on Thursday March 25, 2021, that Easter celebrations in the deeply Christian country will physically go ahead this year. AdThe Easter Service is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar. On the night of the Resurrection, Romanian Orthodox worshipers attend a service at midnight when they receive the Holy Light. “Preventing physical Easter in an Orthodox country in times when people need safety but also hope is not one of those." The prime minister also said he used Thursday's meeting to urge religious authorities to support Romania’s vaccination campaign, which has delivered more than 2.6 million vaccines shot so far.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Colorful Easter eggs will soon be popping up in various spots of Island H2O water park in the coming weeks. In a news release, officials said Easter eggs will be hidden on ground level inside the park continuously during each weekend day. Island H2O water park (WKMG)The water park features a lazy river packed with currents and water falls, wave pool, adults only pool, area for kids, and a number of raft and body slides. Island H2O water park is located along Inspiration Drive at Sunset Walk near the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Click here to learn more about Island H2O water park and information.

A cyclist passes in front of an ambulance by an infectious diseases hospital in Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)WARSAW – Poland's government ordered stricter pandemic measures for the two-week period surrounding Easter, describing the new rules Thursday as an attempt to limit human contacts amid a deadly surge in the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he knew the more severe measures come during a period when families traditionally spend time together for Easter, and it would require a sacrifice from Poles. “The evolution of the virus and the British mutation is leading not only to more infections, but also causing more hospitalizations,” Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said. The higher numbers in Poland come amid more testing.

New coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Utah have been on a downward trend since January. Ad___SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil has reached 300,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and become the second nation to top that figure. ___BOISE, Idaho — The governor of Idaho has said COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will be open to all Idaho residents 16 and up starting April 5. ___WAILUKU, Hawaii — A hospital on Maui had to throw out nearly 1,400 vaccine doses after a refrigerator thawing the vials did not properly seal. Also, COVID-19 deaths have dipped below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (Kay Nietfeld/Pool via AP)BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday dropped plans for a five-day shutdown over Easter, which had prompted confusion and criticism. The same group, faced with rising coronavirus infections, had come up early Tuesday with the unexpected plan for tighter restrictions over Easter. Ad“The idea of an Easter shutdown was drawn up with the best intentions, because we must urgently manage to slow and reverse the third wave of the pandemic,” Merkel said. Merkel said, even without the Easter shutdown, the decisions that she and the state governors came up with offer a “framework” to beat back the new wave of coronavirus infections.

The votes are in and there’s a new Cadbury Bunny. Betty the Australian White Tree Frog will represent Cadbury this year. In a video submitted by Betty’s owner, you can see her sitting pretty with a hat that has bunny ears on it. Betty can also be seen jumping all over a miniature Easter basket of eggs and some Cadbury chocolate eggs. In addition to starring in the commercial, Betty will get a $5,000 cash prize.

The Easter Bunny encourages people to wear a mask during an Easter parade in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, April 11, 2020. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP)WINTER PARK, Fla. – For the second year in a row, Winter Park will skip its annual Easter egg hunt because of COVID-19. Before 2020, Winter Park held the egg hunt every year for 65 years. AdIn lieu of the Easter egg hunt, the city will hold three small parades starting at 9 a.m. on April 3. For more information, call the city of Winter Park at 407-599-3342 or click here.

Faced with a possible flood of visitors from Germany later this month, authorities in Spains Balearic Islands are warning hotel owners that tourists must adhere to coronavirus restrictions the same way residents do. But the restrictions havent stopped eager German tourists who have rushed to book flights and accommodation this week following their governments removal of the islands from a list of high-risk contagion zones. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu, FIle)MADRID – Faced with a possible flood of visitors from Germany later this month, authorities in Spain's Balearic Islands are warning hotel owners that tourists must adhere to coronavirus restrictions the same way residents do. But the restrictions haven't stopped eager German tourists who have rushed to book flights and accommodation this week following their government's removal of the Balearic Islands and other holiday destinations from a list of high-risk areas. Tourism accounted for 12% of Spain's gross domestic product before the pandemic and nearly a third of the Balearic Islands' output.

Betty the treefrog is in the running for this year's Cadbury bunny. Every year, Cadbury puts a call out to pet parents to find a new star for its yearly Cadbury Bunny commercial that comes out each Easter. Betty’s owner said on the Cadbury website, “Betty is an Australian White’s Treefrog. She would be an amazing Cadbury Bunny if you gave her the chance.”AdIn a video submitted by Betty’s owner, you can see her sitting pretty with a hat that has bunny ears on it. Betty can also be seen jumping all over a miniature Easter basket of eggs and some Cadbury chocolate eggs of course.

If you’re clicking around on the remote control while watching TV this weekend, odds are, you’ll stumble on som sights of Augusta National Golf Club. Yes, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, that will be the case for the first time in the history of the illustrious tournament. Paul Casey of England plays a shot on the second hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith) (Getty Images)One of the reasons the Masters is often the most-rated golf tournament is the stunning sight of azaleas and other flowers throughout the course. No fansThis won’t be any different from any other golf tournament or major sporting event this year.

There may not be family feasts or boughs of holly, but astronauts still manage to find creative ways to celebrate holidays while they’re orbiting the Earth. Come Nov. 15, four astronauts will launch on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket and head for the International Space Station, where they’ll stay for about six months. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 25, 2019Last year, NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan were happy to let Russian astronauts Aleksandr Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano in on their American traditions. New Year’sAccording to Kelly, New Year’s is actually a bigger deal than Christmas on the International Space Station because all the astronauts on board celebrate it at the same time. You can hear his International Space Station rendition of the Irish ballad here.

FILE - This Feb. 13, 2013 file photo shows Peeps at the Just Born factory in Bethlehem, Pa. Peeps holiday treats are going on hiatus another consequence of the coronavirus. PennLive.com reports, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, that Just Born Quality Confections says it wont be producing the popular sweets for Halloween, Christmas or Valentines Day as the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based company prepares for next Easter. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Peeps treats are going on hiatus for several months — another consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. Just Born Quality Confections said it won’t be producing the popular marshmallow sweets for Halloween, Christmas or Valentine’s Day as the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based company prepares for next Easter, PennLive.com reports. Just Born, which has been in business since 1923, said its other seasonal confections are expected to return to store shelves by Halloween 2021.

Many churches are adapting their services as Christians around the world are celebrating Easter at a distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Others have suggested that faith is an authority higher than science, and belief can turn back contagion. But as more officials trace virus hot spots back to faith gatherings, calls have grown louder for the devout to protect each other’s physical well-being first. Though he dismissed a possible Passover curfew last month, Israel ultimately imposed a national lockdown on the holiday’s first night. Some Iraqis have criticized al-Sadr, a Shiite Muslim, arguing he hasn’t discouraged believers from visiting holy shrines.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Churches across Central Florida are preparing to hold Easter Sunday services in very nontraditional ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RELATED: Churches use alternative ways to worship on Palm Sunday"As you keep God close during these important religious days, make sure you continue to keep COVID-19 away," DeSantis said. The Catholic Diocese of Orlando has posted a list of parishes that live stream services. One popular sunrise Easter service is changing as well. This year, however, it's a "Stay-at-Home Easter Sunrise Service."

ORLANDO, Fla. – Churches across Central Florida are preparing to hold Easter Sunday services in very nontraditional ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ron DeSantis stressed that the state will not close any place of worship, but he stressed the importance of following social distance guidelines. Since last month, the Fellowship Church of Central Florida has also offered a drive-in worship service at a movie theater parking lot in Mount Dora. One popular sunrise Easter service is changing as well. Radio station Z88.3 typically hosts a yearly service at SeaWorld Orlando, but this year it’s offering a “Stay-at-Home Easter Sunrise Service.”The radio station is inviting everyone to listen to the service on the radio at 6:45 a.m.

Spring break is right around the corner, and you may be dreaming of a fun family vacation -- but what if a full-fledged vacation is not in the cards or the budget? Spring break is typically right around Easter, which is seen by many as a time of renewal. An Easter morning hike would be a great way to kick off your day, so lace up your shoes and soak it all in. Spring break is a great time for a movie marathon, so queue up your favorite streaming service or break into that stack of DVDs. Hosting a staycation is a great way to spend the Easter break, especially if you can keep the kids entertained and happy.

Crocs wants you to wear food on your feet. Crocs announced Wednesday it has collaborated with Peeps for a limited-edition clog that features the popular marshmallow Easter candy. Don’t forget the charm shaped like the iconic Peeps chicks on top. If you don’t want Peeps on your feet, you can purchase just the candy-shaped charm. Just when you thought Crocs had thought of it all.

Here are the best spots in Orlando to check out the next time you're planning a leisurely breakfast or brunch with friends or family. Located at 617 N. Primrose Drive, the breakfast and brunch and New American spot, which offers coffee and tea and more, is the most popular breakfast and brunch restaurant in Orlando, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,629 reviews on Yelp. Le Gourmet BreakPhoto: aurelie m./YelpCentral Business District's Le Gourmet Break, located at 150 S. Magnolia Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cafe, bakery and breakfast and brunch spot 4.5 stars out of 377 reviews. Zaza New Cuban DinerPhoto: heather j./YelpZaza New Cuban Diner, a Cuban, breakfast and brunch and caterer spot, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 353 Yelp reviews. You can find the cafe and traditional American and breakfast and brunch spot at 1414 N. Mills Ave., Suite #180.