Entertainment

For many families across the Austin area, the arrival of spring brings more than warmer weather and blooming flowers — it signals the return of one of the season’s most cherished traditions: photos with the Easter Bunny.

Beginning in March, Bunny Photo Experiences at Barton Creek Square, Lakeline Mall, and Round Rock Premium Outlets invite families to capture festive springtime memories with the iconic Easter character. The seasonal events, running through early April at each location, offer photo sessions, themed activities for children, and special sensory-friendly experiences designed to make the tradition welcoming for every family.

For parents and grandparents, these photo visits often become a tradition that grows with their children — one that reflects how community gathering spaces like shopping malls continue to shape holiday memories across generations.

A Springtime Tradition for Families

The Bunny Photo Experiences across the Austin metro area welcome walk-ups daily until closing time, though reservations are encouraged to help families avoid wait times. During each scheduled 15-minute window, multiple families may participate in the session.

The experience also highlights milestone moments for younger visitors, particularly those celebrating their first Easter, offering parents the opportunity to document the occasion with professional photos.

At Barton Creek Square, located at 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746, families can visit the Bunny beginning March 10 in JCPenney Court 2 near the play area. Early weekday hours run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., expanding to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. later in the season, while weekends offer extended hours including 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The final Saturday, April 4, features extended hours through 9 p.m.

At Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, located at 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613, the Bunny Photo Experience begins March 13near Helzberg Diamonds on the lower level. Weekday hours generally run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with weekend sessions scheduled 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays through April 4.

Families visiting Round Rock Premium Outlets, located at 4401 I 35 N Frontage Rd, Round Rock, TX 78664, can find the Bunny set up in the Food Court area beginning March 14, with most weekday hours running 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekend sessions from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The final weekend includes extended hours until 9 p.m. on April 4, with a closing-day schedule of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5.

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Special Sensory-Friendly Bunny Experiences and Kid-Friendly Dance Parties

In addition to traditional family photos, several Austin-area locations offer special experiences designed to ensure the event is accessible to all families.

The Caring Bunny® program provides a sensory-friendly photo experience specifically designed for children with special needs and sensory sensitivities. These sessions offer reduced noise, adjusted lighting, and a calmer environment.

At Barton Creek Square, the Caring Bunny event is scheduled for Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the lower level near the Care Bears Play Area.

At Lakeline Mall, the Caring Bunny experience will also take place March 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

At Round Rock Premium Outlets, families can participate in Caring Bunny photos on March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Many locations also feature KIDZ BOP Bunny Dance Parties, where children can dance alongside the Easter Bunny to upbeat music every hour on the hour, adding an energetic and interactive element to the seasonal photo visit.

Why the Easter Bunny Became a Cultural Icon

The Easter Bunny tradition has roots dating back centuries. Historians widely trace the character to German folklore, specifically the legend of the “Osterhase,” a rabbit said to lay colorful eggs for well-behaved children. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 1700s, particularly to Pennsylvania, where Easter egg baskets and rabbit imagery became part of early American celebrations.

Over time, the Easter Bunny evolved into one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, Easter consistently ranks among the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States, with millions of families participating in egg hunts, gift-giving, and seasonal traditions centered around the Easter Bunny.

How Mall Bunny Photos Became a Holiday Staple

Holiday photo experiences at shopping malls gained popularity during the mid-20th century as retail centers began creating seasonal attractions designed to bring families together.

The tradition of photographing children with holiday characters — most famously Santa Claus — expanded in the 1960s and 1970s to include the Easter Bunny. The concept allowed families to capture professionally staged holiday portraits while visiting local shopping destinations.

Today, mall photo experiences remain a familiar seasonal activity across the country, combining photography, entertainment, and family traditions in a single visit.

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Behind the Bunny Photo Experience

The Austin-area mall photo experiences are operated by Cherry Hill Programs, a company that has specialized in mall-based experiential photography since 1960.

Cherry Hill Programs now manages seasonal photo operations at hundreds of retail and tourism venues across the United States and Canada, employing thousands of staff members and utilizing proprietary reservation systems, digital photography platforms, and online photo delivery portals.

The company’s mission centers on creating memorable family experiences through holiday-themed photography, whether during Easter, Christmas, or other seasonal events.

Planning Your Visit

Families interested in securing a preferred time slot can make reservations online through the official Bunny photo reservation system at:

• Barton Creek Square: Click HERE

• Lakeline Mall: Click HERE

• Round Rock Premium Outlets: Click HERE 

Benefits of reserving in advance include the ability to reschedule up to 48 hours before the visit, streamlined checkout during the event, and promotional gifts from participating partners including Yankee Candle and Crayola’s Scribble Scrubbie Pets creative app trial.

With multiple weeks of availability leading up to Easter, the Bunny Photo Experiences across the Austin area offer families a chance to build a new tradition — or continue one that has been part of springtime celebrations for generations.

As Easter approaches, these seasonal photo events offer a familiar reminder that sometimes the simplest traditions — a smile, a snapshot, and a seasonal visit — become the memories families cherish most.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more seasonal activities, local events, and community happenings across the Austin area.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.