Entertainment

For many families across San Antonio, 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 Rolling Oaks Mall, North Star Mall, and South Park Mall 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 event nights designed to make the experience welcoming for the entire 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 at San Antonio malls 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 Rolling Oaks Mall, located at 6909 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78247, the Bunny arrives March 20 and will be located in Center Court through April 4. Early-season weekday hours begin at 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with expanded hours later in the season including 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekday sessions and weekend hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

At North Star Mall, located at7400 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216, the Bunny Photo Experience begins earlier in the season on March 10, with weekday hours typically running from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., expanding to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. later in the month, and extended weekend hours including 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The final Saturday, April 4, includes extended hours until 9 p.m.

AtSouth Park Mall, located at 2310 SW Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78224, families can visit the Bunny from March 20 through April 5, with weekday hours beginning at 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and expanding later in the season to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., alongside weekend hours that include 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Mobile Sidebar Ad

Special Pet Nights and Kid-Friendly Dance Parties

In addition to traditional family photos, several San Antonio locations offer themed opportunities designed to include even more members of the family.

At North Star Mall, families can bring their pets for Pet Night photo sessions with the Easter Bunny. These pet-friendly events are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on several evenings including March 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31.

Children can also enjoy KIDZ BOP Bunny Dance Parties, where the Easter Bunny leads easy-to-follow dance routines to upbeat KIDZ BOP hits every hour on the hour at participating locations. These interactive activities turn a simple photo visit into a lively family outing.

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.

Mobile Sidebar Ad

Behind the Bunny Photo Experience

The San Antonio 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:

• Rolling Oaks Mall: Click HERE

• North Star Mall: Click HERE

• South Park Mall: 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

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.