In the US south, Easter Sunrise Service is a common occurrence, often among congregations that don’t have a ton of other Holy Week commitments (those guys have the Easter Vigil, which is a little more dressy.)
The first recorded Sunrise Service took place in 1732 with a Moravian congregation in Saxony. After pulling an all-nighter prayer vigil, the unmarried men went to the town graveyard to sing hymns. Party.
The big idea was to usher in the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection, and mirror the discovery of the empty tomb. A little wake for Jesus.
In the US, these services often start very early on Easter morning – or, like the Easter Vigil, as early as midnight between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The whole congregation watches the sunrise together during the sermon or whilst singing. Afterwards, breakfast is often served (often by the women. Natch.) They then go home, take a disco nap, then return for Easter Sunday services (which are sometimes held a little later than usual.)
The most famous Sunrise Service in the US still sits with the Moravians, held annually in (what is now) Winston-Salem, NC since 1772. Brass choirs from twelve congregations play as the six thousand plus worshippers move from the church to the historic graveyard. All of this before dawn? Thank you, no.
Aside from churches, some parks host ‘em. One of the longest-running Sunrise Services (since ‘44) is held atop Stone Mountain in Georgia. The park opens at 3am and the skylift ferries worshippers to the top. To be closer to Jesus, I guess.
The real attraction of a sunrise service – aside from some truly great hymns that never get cracked out the rest of the year – is the food. Because so many are held in the South, you know it’s gonna be good. Many churches go the breakfast sammie route, with biscuits, eggs, bacon, sausage, pork tender loin and cheese, with or without gravy. Others do pancake breakfasts (which are a historically Lent-prohibited food, dontchaknow?) Some congregations go all out while others serve a modest little spread (since everyone’s probably going to have a ham later.)