Two NY Cities Among Best Places to Celebrate Easter 2026

Buffalo ranks 5th, New York City 86th in new WalletHub study

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A bold, graphic illustration of a repeating pattern of a single, iconic Easter basket filled with colorful eggs, rendered in a high-contrast, silkscreen pop art style with a neon color palette.Vibrant Easter celebrations in New York cities like Buffalo and New York City offer a range of family-friendly traditions and festive treats.NYC Today

A new WalletHub study has revealed the best cities in the United States to celebrate Easter, with two New York cities making the list. Buffalo ranked 5th overall, while New York City came in at 86th. The study analyzed factors like the Christian population, number of churches, candy and chocolate stores, and weather conditions to determine the rankings.

Why it matters

Easter is a major holiday celebrated by millions of Americans, with consumers expected to spend around $25 billion this year. The rankings highlight which cities are best equipped to cater to the religious and family-oriented traditions of the holiday, providing insights for travelers and locals alike.

The details

Buffalo ranked highly due to its large Christian population, second-most churches per capita, and favorable weather conditions for outdoor Easter activities. New York City tied with Las Vegas and Honolulu for the most candy and chocolate stores per capita, but ranked lower overall due to factors like a smaller percentage of Christian residents.

  • The data used in the WalletHub study was collected as of March 3, 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance website that conducts research and analysis on consumer trends and personal finance topics.

Chip Lupo

A WalletHub analyst who provided commentary on the study's findings.

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What they’re saying

“The best cities for Easter cater to the religious nature of the holiday by offering plenty of opportunities for Christians to attend services, and they also provide the resources for people to have a great time with their family regardless of religious affiliation.”

— Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

The takeaway

The rankings highlight the importance of both religious and family-friendly amenities when it comes to celebrating Easter in major U.S. cities. While New York City offers abundant candy and chocolate options, Buffalo's strong Christian community and favorable weather conditions make it a more ideal destination for those looking to fully embrace the holiday's traditions.