Los Angeles CA
4-16-2025 12:48am

Sunrise Easter Services

Sunrise Easter services have waned in Los Angeles, but there are six Forest Lawn locations & two Churches who follow a nearly three centuries old tradition, originating in Germany.

This year Easter is celebrated on the same Sunday by both Orthodox Christians who follow the Gregorian Calendar and Christians who follow the Julian Calendar. Additionally, Passover is held across the same time as Holy Week for Christians.

The tradition of a Sunrise Easter Service began in Germany in 1732 by Moravian Christians. The first sunrise service was in 1772 by Moravians in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While the most recognized service in Southern California was held, for decades, at the Hollywood Bowl it ceased after 2009.

The locations of a Sunrise Easter Service in areas adjacent to the San Fernando Valley are:

Bel Air Christian Church

  • 🌅 6 AM - Sunrise Patio Acoustic Service | Worship as the sun rises, a reminder that light overcomes darkness.
  • ☀️ 8 AM - Sunshine Patio Acoustic Service | Rejoice under the morning sky as we proclaim the victory of love.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE 2025 - Forest Lawn

  • Join family and friends for a glorious morning at one of our six Easter Sunrise Services on Sunday, April 20, beginning at 6:00 AM. These inspirational gatherings feature uplifting music and a worship service to celebrate the holiday. History of Sunrise Services

48th Westside Community Easter Sunrise Service! -

  • The recent Palisades Fire has closed Temescal Canyon beach access, so we have secured a new location for this year.
  • The Westside Community Sunrise Service began in 1978 as an additional early morning gathering for Westside churches to celebrate the risen Lord together. It provides a unique tradition to experience the dawning of this special day and worship with others from the wider Body of Christ before later joining one’s local church’s Easter services.
  • Baptisms following service.

Conversely there are Orthodox Churches with services near Midnight and/or on Saturday:

March 27, 1921, the Hollywood Bowl performed its first concert. An Easter sunrise service.

A commentary in 1985 recited previous problems but proclaimed the organizations' goal to continue: "Despite occasional rain, demonstrations, money problems and even a World War, trumpeters atop a hill overlooking the Hollywood Bowl have heralded the beginning of Easter Sunrise Services at the open-air theater for more than half a century."

Then in 2002 there was contention of who should organize the service going forward. The Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service Inc contested a decision to let another group control the event the next year. "...they contend that they are only partway through a 99-year renewable lease that guarantees them the annual use of the Bowl for $1 a year." The group also suggested that first service was at a "natural amphitheater, where the predawn audience stood in knee-high weeds while musicians played on a makeshift stage."

By 2010 it was cancelled. "The recession and a lack of adequate donor support have led to this year’s cancellation of the popular Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service, organizers said...The Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service, which presents the nondenominational Easter celebration, is a nonprofit group that relies on financial assistance from corporations and the public."

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