March 27, 2024

🐰 Historic Easter Celebration in Old Salem

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Christy Bellis & Jacob Gauthier
March 27, 2024

The Go-To Winston-Salem

March 27, 2024

Historic Easter Celebration

March 31 is Easter Sunday, and one of the most beloved Easter traditions in Winston-Salem is the Easter Sunrise Service in Old Salem.

This will be the 252nd service - the tradition has been observed since 1772! It’s one of the longest consecutively held Easter sunrise services in the nation.

God's Acre in Old Salem

God’s Acre

  • What to Expect: Thousands of observers gather in person at Salem Square before sunrise. After a liturgical reading and music, everyone silently walks to God’s Acre, the Moravian graveyard. From there, the service concludes with songs about the resurrection as the sun rises.

  • When: 6:15 AM

  • Location: Old Salem - The service begins in Salem Square and ends in God’s Acre.

  • Refreshments: Free coffee and sugarcake will be provided by Lot 63, a coffeehouse and taproom in Old Salem.

Events

Friday, March 29

  • House Hangs - Hang out at SECCA and enjoy a live DJ, conversation, cocktails, and dinner prepared by a local chef. 5-8 PM

  • Dessert and Jazz - The Red Velvet Lounge presents the John Ray Trio at the Village Inn Event Center. 7:30-10 PM

  • Comedy and BrewPub Tour - Climb aboard the “jolly trolley” for a hilarious trip around town featuring an onboard comedy show and a tasting at a local brewpub. 7 PM

Saturday, March 30

  • Eggstravaganza - Celebrate Easter at Smith Hollow Farm with Easter egg hunts, hayrides, crafts, and more. Also available Sunday.

  • Talent Wins - Great date night idea! Head to Bailey Park for an evening of live performances, an open mic, local vendors, and food trucks. 4-9 PM

  • East of Texas Easter - Hunt for eggs, make Easter crafts, and grab some Girl Scout cookies at East of Texas. 10 AM - 2 PM

  • Hoots Flea - Hoots Beer Co’s annual flea market returns! Shop from over 30 vendors while enjoying food and live music. 12-5 PM

  • Poetry - Create a blackout poem in an early celebration of Poetry Month at The Bookhouse. 1-3 PM

  • Egg Hunt - Bring your kids to Antioch Baptist Church for City Lights Ministry’s egg hunt, featuring 30,000 eggs! 2 PM

  • Jr. Cookie Decorating - Take your young bakers to Canvas Cake Studio to decorate eight cookies with Easter designs! 11 AM

  • Easter Celebration - Join Pink Moon Cafe for an Easter egg hunt and other games for the whole family! 12-3 PM

  • Crafty Women Market - Find goods made by local artists and makers at the Winston Junction Market while enjoying live music and food trucks. 11 AM - 4 PM

  • Gatsby’s Egg Hunt - Search for hidden eggs, take a picture with the Easter bunny, and dye eggs at Gatsby’s Pub! 10 AM

Sunday, March 31 (Easter)

  • Easter Sunrise Service - Take part in this beautiful tradition at Old Salem. Free coffee and sugarcake provided. 6:15 AM

Monday, April 1

  • Grand Opening - The John & Bobbie Wolfe Visitors Center is opening! Celebrate with free admission to Körner’s Folly, where you can explore the house in a self-guided tour. 10 AM - 4 PM

Other News

  • Housing: The Housing Authority of Winston-Salem’s housing-choice voucher waiting list will reopen from April 2-4; these vouchers help low-income individuals afford housing. This will be the first time the waiting list has opened in over two years.

  • Opening: Mothership Studios celebrates its grand opening on Friday, March 29 from 5-8 PM! Mothership is a studio and retail space, with everything from plants and handmade clothing to comics and vintage finds.

  • Government: Shontell Robinson will serve as the new Forsyth County Manager starting in July. She will be taking over the position from Dudley Watts, who will retire in June from 17 years of service.

  • Races: Get ready for these upcoming races with one of Winston-Salem’s local running clubs!

  • Save the Date: The Winston-Salem Greek Festival is May 17-19! Get ready for mouthwatering Greek cuisine, vibrant music, and rich cultural experiences.

  • Now Open: Grindhouse Bevy’s recently opened in the former location of Coffee Shed. The stand serves unique drinks like the James, a fruity cereal cold brew with sweet cream! We’re personally interested in the chocolate chip cookie dough latte 👀


  • College: Forsyth Tech announced that Shelly Barnes will serve as the college’s first Director of Athletics. The college plans to apply to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and it will decide which sports to offer at a later date.

IQ Signature Series

Innovation Quarter brings back its Signature Event Series this April! Gear up for a physical challenge, enjoy a family outing, or plan a unique date—there’s an event for everyone!

IQ Signature Series

Photo courtesy of Innovation Quarter

Sunset Salutations | Bailey Park | Monthly on Thursdays at 6 PM

Stretch out with a free yoga class led by local instructors. The first event takes place on April 4 with Lotus Yoga.

Innovation & Cinema | Bailey Park | Monthly on Fridays at sunset

Spread out on Bailey Park’s lawn and watch films set in fantastical/alternate worlds. Refreshments from local vendors will be available. The first film - The NeverEnding Story - plays on April 19.

Picnic in the Park | Bailey Park | Various days from 6-8 PM

New event! Bring your picnic blanket, grab a bite from one of several food trucks, and enjoy listening to music from local artists. The first event takes place on April 10 and features DJ Ikeem.

Fitness Fridays | Coal Pit | Every two months on Fridays at 5:30 PM

Work up a sweat with high-intensity group workouts led by instructors from F45 Training. The first event takes place April 12.

LET US KNOW

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SPONSORED
Upcoming Events

  • Coconut Cake - The NC Black Repertory Company presents the stage show Coconut Cake at HanesBrands Theatre from April 4-14.

  • Tour of Fine Spaces - Join the Junior League of Winston-Salem on April 20 to tour newly built and remodeled homes throughout the Triad.

  • Piedmont Earth Day Fair - Piedmont Federal Bank is a proud sponsor of North Carolina’s biggest Earth Day celebration! Join in the festivities at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on April 20.

The Wrap

  • 🌷 Team member Christy is visiting Dewberry Farms this weekend to see the tulips! Check out our flower farm guide to find out what’s blooming at other local farms.

  • 🧠 Did you know the last time Easter happened in March was in 2016? Check out this article to learn how Easter’s date is determined each year!

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