How is Easter celebrated in Italy? We're here with all the Easter traditions and celebrations that you need to know about for Holy Week in Italy in 2024.
How is Easter celebrated in Italy?
How is Easter celebrated in Italy? Corbis via Getty Images

Is Easter a big deal in Italy? How do Italians celebrate Easter? Easter, or Pasqua in Italian, is one of the most important holidays of the year, with Italians primarily celebrating Holy Week which in 2024 falls between 24th and 31st March. For those wanting to experience Italian culture at its finest, Easter in Italy is a sight not to be missed, and it’s certainly much more than chocolate eggs and bunnies.

How is Easter celebrated in Italy? What about Easter in Italy traditions? Let's have a closer look at eveything you need to know about Easter in Italy 2024, including some of the best places to go to celebrate Holy Week.

How do Italians celebrate Easter?

Here are some typical ways Italians celebrate Easter:

  1. Religious Observances: Easter is a deeply religious holiday in Italy, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Italians attend church services throughout Holy Week, particularly on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Pope's Mass and Urbi et Orbi blessing in Rome attract many visitors and pilgrims.
  2. Easter Sunday Feast: Easter Sunday is a time for family gatherings and feasting. Italians typically enjoy a large and elaborate meal with their loved ones. Traditional dishes vary depending on the region, but common items include lamb, artichokes, pasta dishes, Easter bread (such as "colomba" or "pane di Pasqua"), and traditional Easter desserts like "pastiera" and chocolate eggs.
  3. Easter Egg Traditions: Like many cultures, Italians have traditions involving Easter eggs. Children often receive chocolate eggs, sometimes filled with surprises or small toys. In some regions, there are also egg-cracking competitions where participants tap their hard-boiled eggs against each other, with the winner being the one whose egg remains uncracked.
  4. Processions and Parades: In certain regions, especially in southern Italy, there are elaborate processions and parades during Holy Week, with participants dressed in traditional costumes. These processions often reenact the passion of Christ or depict scenes from the Bible.
  5. Easter Monday (Pasquetta): Easter Monday is a public holiday in Italy, known as "Pasquetta." It's a day for relaxation and outdoor activities with family and friends. Many Italians take day trips to the countryside, have picnics, or go for walks to enjoy the spring weather.

Overall, Easter in Italy is a time for both religious reflection and joyful celebration, bringing families and communities together to mark the culmination of Lent and the arrival of spring.

Where to spend Easter in Italy

There are many wonderful places to spend Easter in Italy, each offering its own unique blend of religious traditions, cultural celebrations, and scenic beauty.

When it comes to where to spend Easter in Italy, wherever you decide to visit, in both the north and the south of Italy, every village, town and city celebrates Easter with their own traditions. These typically include processions, religious rituals and sacred representations of the life and crucifixion of Christ, central to the Catholic tradition which is still very much alive in Italy.

Here are some popular destinations to consider:

Rome and the Vatican

Easter in Rome
Easter in Rome GTRES

In Rome, you will find Italy's most typical Easter celebrations. On Good Friday, there is no mass until the Easter Vigil which is held on the evening of Holy Saturday. While there are no official services during the day on Good Friday, in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and in all the main churches in the city, you will almost always hear religious chanting throughout the whole day.

If you're spending Easter in Rome, we recommend simply taking a walk through the streets to soak up the unique atmosphere. For example, when night falls on Good Friday, you can bear witness to one of the most solemn and beautiful processions in the world – the famous Via Crucis, led by the Pope himself. This emotive event depicts the arduous journey of Jesus Christ to his crucifixion, starting inside the Coliseum and finishing on Palatine Hill.

Experiencing the Pope's Easter celebration at Saint Peter's Basilica is a truly unforgettable experience and a top recommendation for anyone visiting Rome during Easter. The mass held in Saint Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday is the largest in the world, drawing countless attendees. At 10:15, the Pope appears on the balcony to deliver the service, concluding with his renowned declaration, “Urbi et Orbi,” conveying his message of care for both the city and the world, extending redemption and blessings to all present.

Tredozio

Eggs are traditionally said to be so popular at Easter time because they are a symbol of life and hope. In the Italian town of Tredozio in the Forlì-Cesena province, eggs are therefore the protagonists of Sagra e il Palio dell’uovo, an event consisting of competitions, games, battles and a parade with floats. Without a doubt, the highlight of the Palio is on Easter Monday when lots of different neighbourhoods in the area compete for the conquest of the silver egg.

Florence

Easter in Florence
Easter in Florence Visit Florence

Easter in Florence offers a one-of-a-kind spectacle. A central figure in the renowned Easter celebration known as the Scoppio del Carro, during Holy Week in Florence, is a dove. The term "Scoppio del Carro" translates to "explosion of the cart" and traces its origins back over three centuries.

During the ceremony, an elaborately decorated cart makes its way from the Piazzale del Prato to Florence Cathedral, where it is linked to the main altar by a metal cable. Subsequently, a symbolic dove, not a real one, grasping an olive branch in its beak, is placed on the cable. Its task is to reach the cart and initiate the fireworks display. The success of this ritual is believed to forecast a prosperous year for the people of Florence.

Urbania

Eggs are once again the star of the show in Urbania, with the Punta e cul show in this town in the Pesaro e Urbino province centred around an egg! This curious Easter festival is inspired by ancient folk customs. The area is also home wide range of family events activities as part of its Easter 2024 programme, including an Easter Bunny Brunch, as well as Easter egg hunts and Easter crafts sure to delight kids of all ages. 

Oliena

In Sardinia, Holy Week traditions are especially curious, including the “Scrocifissione” in this particular city of Oliena. This local tradition involves the locals going from church to church, searching for the resurrected Christ every day until Holy Saturday, when his statue is found.

This reunion with the risen Christ then leads to a large procession through the town, with the participants wearing the typical costume of the village. All of this is watched by locals of the town who stand on their balconies with pistols and other weapons which are shot into the air to announce Christ's resurrection. 

Bormio

Bormio Italy
Easter in Bormio Getty Images

This small town in the north of Italy, in the province of Sondrio, has very special pasquali traditions. Their Easter celebrations consist of rituals to celebrate the arrival of Spring, such as blessing five lambs, while there are even competitions between the different contrade or neighbourhoods. All of this takes place with participants dressed in the distinctive costumes of the five districts of the town. 

These are just a few options for spending Easter in Italy, but there are countless other cities, towns, and regions to explore, each offering its own unique charm and traditions during this special time of year. Whether you're interested in religious observances, cultural celebrations, or simply soaking in Italy's beauty, there's something for everyone to enjoy during Easter in Italy.

Is Easter a good time to visit Italy?

Easter can be a wonderful time to visit Italy for those who are interested in experiencing the country's rich religious and cultural traditions. Easter falls in the spring season in Italy, so you can expect milder temperatures and blossoming landscapes, making it a pleasant time to explore the country's cities, countryside, and coastal regions. 

Keep in mind that Easter is a popular time for both domestic and international tourists to visit Italy. As a result, popular tourist destinations can be crowded, and accommodation may be more expensive. It's advisable to book accommodation and activities well in advance if you plan to visit during Easter.