Prior to the main day, Easter Bunny and his friends, including the CFA's Captain Koala, will be paying a visit to shoppers and traders in Barkly Street on Thursday April 2 to help raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal.

A barbecue will be held outside Bendigo Bank from 10am to 3pm and a raffle will also help raise funds for sick kids.

Easter Bunny will also sing a few songs and together with some musical friends will perform at the Ararat RSL at 7pm the same day.

And of course where there's Easter Bunny there will be Easter eggs so make sure you bring the kids 'down the street' on the day to receive some treats.