Easter in Italy 2027: Dates, Traditions, Closures and Where to Go

Easter in Italy is the country’s second great holiday after Christmas, and it feels very different from one town to the next. Rome has papal Masses, Florence blows up a cart of fireworks, and Sicily walks its saints through the night. This guide covers the 2027 dates, the main traditions by region, what closes and how to plan around the crowds.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Easter in Italy at a glance: where to spend it

First choose the experience, then the place. Each option below trades crowds for atmosphere in a different way.

Easter 2027 dates and the Holy Week calendar

First, note that Easter moves every year. In 2027 it comes early, on Sunday, March 28, according to the Time and Date holiday calendar for Italy (checked September 2026). By contrast, Easter 2028 falls on April 16. Here is how the 2027 week lines up:

• Palm Sunday, March 21: churches hand out olive branches and palm fronds at Mass.
• Holy Thursday, March 25: evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, and in many towns the first processions.
• Good Friday, March 26: the most solemn day, with the Way of the Cross and the big processions in the south.
• Holy Saturday, March 27: a quiet day that ends with the Easter Vigil at night.
• Easter Sunday, March 28: Masses in the morning, then a long family lunch.
• Easter Monday, March 29: Pasquetta, a national public holiday.

One practical detail matters in 2027. Europe moves its clocks forward one hour on the last Sunday of March, and that is Easter Sunday itself. As a result, you lose an hour of sleep before the morning events, so set your alarm with care.

Rome and the Vatican

Rome is the center of Easter in Italy for Catholic visitors. The Vatican publishes the papal schedule a few weeks ahead, so the 2027 times are not out yet. For reference, the Holy See Press Office notice for 2026 listed Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Way of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday at 9 p.m., and Easter Mass followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing at noon (checked September 2026). Expect a similar pattern in 2027, then confirm the official notice.

Tickets for papal liturgies are free. The Vatican’s official booking page sends lay visitors to the Prefecture of the Papal Household (checked September 2026). Never pay a reseller for them. In addition, the square fills hours before each Mass, so pack water and patience.

For events, timings and viewing tips in the capital, read our full guide to Easter in Rome. Also, a catacombs and Appian Way tour fits the season well, because it tells the story of Rome’s early Christians.

Florence and the Scoppio del Carro

Florence celebrates with the Scoppio del Carro, or “explosion of the cart.” According to the Comune di Firenze, a tall wooden cart called the Brindellone leaves the Prato area pulled by white oxen and escorted by a costumed parade (checked September 2026). Then, at 11 a.m. on Easter Sunday, a dove-shaped rocket, the colombina, flies from the cathedral altar and sets off the fireworks on the cart. Florentines read a good flight as a sign of a good year.

In practice, the square fills well before 11, so claim a spot early near the Baptistery. Afterward, the city stays busy into Monday. See our Florence travel guide, or book a Florence walking tour with David and the Duomo for another day of the week.

Sicily and the south: Good Friday processions

The south marks Holy Week with the most dramatic rituals. Brotherhoods, known as confraternite, carry statues through the streets, often to a slow funeral march played by a local band.

Trapani: the Misteri

Trapani stages one of the longest processions in Italy. According to the official Misteri di Trapani site, 18 carved groups and two further statues leave the baroque Church of the Purgatorio at 2 p.m. on Good Friday (checked September 2026). The procession then winds through the old town for almost 24 hours without a break. For instance, many visitors watch the start in daylight and return for the night passage. Pair it with our guide to things to do in Sicily.

The Sorrento peninsula

Similarly, towns around Sorrento hold hooded processions during Holy Week, some of them at night. Times change by town and by year, so check locally once the 2027 program is out. Meanwhile, see our guide to things to do in Sorrento for the rest of your stay.

Pasquetta: Easter Monday in Italy

Easter Monday is a national public holiday. Italians traditionally spend it outdoors, with a picnic, a trip to the countryside or a long lunch with friends. Consequently, roads out of the cities get busy in the morning, and parks fill by noon.

For travelers, Pasquetta works well for a relaxed day. Reserve lunch at an agriturismo, a working farm with meals or rooms, well ahead. Our guide to the Tuscan countryside and agriturismo stays can help you choose an area.

What closes over Easter in Italy

Easter Sunday falls on a Sunday, so it adds no extra closing day of its own. Still, many shops close for the holiday, while restaurants often switch to a set Easter menu. Closures at the big sites differ, however, so check each one.

• Vatican Museums: the official calendar keeps the museums closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month (checked September 2026). That exception does not apply when the last Sunday is Easter, which is exactly the case on March 28, 2027. The 2026 calendar also listed Easter Monday (April 6) as a closing day, so plan on both days being shut.
• Colosseum: the archaeological park lists only January 1 and December 25 as closing days (checked September 2026).
• Uffizi: the gallery normally closes on Mondays. However, in 2026 it opened on Easter Monday as a special opening announced by the Ministry of Culture (checked September 2026). Watch for the 2027 notice.

Plan your Vatican visit for the Friday or Saturday instead. Our guide to Vatican Museums tickets explains the options, and a Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour saves time in the busiest week. Similarly, read our Colosseum tickets guide before the long weekend.

Easter food: what Italians eat

Above all, Easter lunch is the heart of the holiday. The dishes change by region, but a few appear almost everywhere:

• Colomba: a dove-shaped sweet bread topped with almonds and pearl sugar, the Easter cousin of panettone.
• Pastiera: the Neapolitan tart filled with ricotta, cooked wheat and orange blossom water.
• Lamb: roast lamb is the classic main course, and in Rome it goes by abbacchio.
• Chocolate eggs: large hollow eggs with a surprise inside, a treat for children and adults alike.
• Savory breads and pies: for example, casatiello in Naples and torta pasqualina in Liguria.

Try a pastiera on a Naples street food tour, or learn regional dishes at a Sorrento cooking class. Our guide to Italian pastries covers more sweets.

Crowds, weather and booking tips

Easter week is one of the busiest weeks of spring. Italians travel for the long weekend, and many European schools break at the same time. Therefore, book rooms and trains early, especially for Rome and Florence. In addition, reserve Easter Sunday lunch, since many restaurants serve a single fixed sitting.

Late March is early spring. Days are mild in the center and south, but evenings stay cool and rain is common. Pack layers, a light waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes. Also bring a modest layer for churches, where shoulders and knees should be covered.

If your dates are flexible, compare this week with the rest of the year in our guide to the best time to visit Italy. Coming a few weeks earlier? Then read Italy in winter. Finally, our Italy travel tips cover trains, money and etiquette.

Easter 2027 falls in late March, so our guide to Italy in March is worth a look for the weather, museum hours and other events that month.

Easter in Italy: frequently asked questions

When is Easter in Italy in 2027?

Easter Sunday falls on March 28, 2027, and Easter Monday (Pasquetta) on March 29. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, March 21.

Is Easter Monday a holiday in Italy?

Yes. Pasquetta is a national public holiday, and many Italians spend it outdoors or at a long lunch with friends.

Are the Vatican Museums open at Easter?

No. The museums close on Sundays, and the last-Sunday opening does not apply on Easter Sunday. The 2026 calendar also closed them on Easter Monday, so visit before the weekend.

Where is the best place to spend Easter in Italy?

It depends on what you want. Rome suits those who want the papal liturgies, Florence suits families who want the Scoppio del Carro, and Trapani suits travelers drawn to Good Friday processions.

Do I need tickets for Easter Mass with the Pope?

Tickets for papal liturgies are free and are issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. Book only through the official Vatican channel, never through resellers.