Easter traditions in Italy blend faith, food, and family in unforgettable ways. While many travelers are familiar with the grandeur of Vatican celebrations, Italy’s smaller towns reveal charming customs that offer deeper insight into local life. With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 in 2025, visitors arriving in spring will not only experience these vibrant traditions but can also take part in Jubilee 2025 events and explore new cultural offerings, like the Dalí exhibition in Rome.
Let’s travel across Italy for a closer look at how the country celebrates Easter—from lesser-known rituals to joyful Easter Monday picnics.
Holy Week in Italy: A Spiritual and Cultural Journey
Holy Week begins with La Domenica delle Palme (Palm Sunday), but it’s Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday that mark the most moving and symbolic moments. On Holy Thursday (April 17), churches hold Mass and the traditional Lavanda dei Piedi (washing of the feet), a ritual re-enacting Jesus washing the apostles’ feet.
On Good Friday, solemn processions take over Italian streets. In cities like Rome and Taranto, the air is thick with incense and the sound of solemn hymns. But some of the most striking celebrations occur off the beaten path.
Sulmona, Abruzzo: La Madonna Che Scappa
One of Italy’s most emotional Easter morning events happens in Sulmona, in Abruzzo. The event, called La Madonna che Scappa in Piazza, takes place in Piazza Garibaldi. On Easter Sunday, a statue of the Virgin Mary, dressed in black, is carried through the square. When she sees the risen Christ approaching, she suddenly drops her cloak of mourning and bursts into a run—symbolizing the joy of resurrection. The crowd erupts with applause, confetti, and the release of doves. It’s a dramatic and unforgettable scene that speaks to the heart of Italian spirituality.
Prizzi, Sicily: The Dance of the Devils
In contrast to Sulmona’s joy, the small Sicilian town of Prizzi hosts a theatrical and slightly eerie event known as Il Ballo dei Diavoli (Dance of the Devils). Locals dress as devils in red costumes and grotesque masks, trying to block the path of two other characters—Death and the Resurrected Christ. The devils try to tempt townspeople and spread chaos until they’re finally defeated in the town square. It’s playful, symbolic, and totally unique to Sicily.
These kinds of events offer a vivid window into Italy’s regional diversity. They’re not just performances—they are community traditions passed down for generations.
Pasquetta: The Joy of Easter Monday Picnics
While Easter Sunday is filled with Mass and multi-course meals, Easter Monday—known as La Pasquetta—is a day for outdoor fun. Italians head to parks, countryside villas, or seaside cliffs for a relaxed picnic with family and friends. Classic picnic foods include frittata, cold cuts, torte salate, and sweet treats like Colomba di Pasqua.
Whether you’re near Lake Como, on the Roman hillsides, or in the olive groves of Puglia, you’ll likely find groups of locals enjoying wine, laughter, and nature. It’s a national tradition that celebrates spring and renewal, and travelers are welcome to join the fun.
Looking Ahead: Jubilee 2025 Highlights for Spring
This year’s Easter season also falls within the special Holy Year known as Jubilee 2025. Declared by the Vatican, the Jubilee invites millions of pilgrims to Rome for spiritual reflection and events across the city. During April and May 2025, several celebrations align beautifully with the Easter period.
Key April events include:
- April 5–6: Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
- April 25–27: Jubilee of Teenagers
- April 28–29: Jubilee of People with Disabilities
In May, the calendar continues with:
- May 1–4: Jubilee of Workers
- May 16–18: Jubilee of Confraternities
- May 30–June 1: Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly
Each Jubilee event includes dedicated Masses, special blessings, concerts, and community moments that bring pilgrims and locals together. For full details, travelers can visit iubilaeum2025.va.
An Artistic Detour: Dalí in Rome
Spring visitors to Rome will also have the chance to explore a major art event sure to captivate the imagination. The Salvador Dalí exhibition (May 13 – June 23), hosted at Complesso del Vittoriano, presents a sweeping retrospective of the surrealist master’s work.
From melting clocks to dreamlike landscapes, Dalí’s visual language is instantly recognizable and endlessly fascinating. The exhibition features over 100 pieces, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures that trace Dalí’s exploration of time, memory, and the subconscious. Highlights include The Persistence of Memory, along with lesser-known sketches and installations that offer insight into his creative mind.
Set in the heart of Rome, the exhibition provides a perfect cultural complement to a spiritual journey through the Jubilee. It’s ideal for art lovers and curious travelers looking to engage with both the divine and the surreal.
Easter Travel Tips for 2025
For those planning a visit to Italy in April:
- Book accommodations early—Easter and Jubilee events will draw large crowds.
- Expect closures on Easter Sunday, but enjoy quieter museums on Easter Monday.
- Consider visiting smaller towns like Gubbio, Montefalco, or Noto for unique Easter rituals.
- Don’t miss regional pastries: Naples’ Pastiera, Florence’s schiacciata di Pasqua, and Sicily’s cassata.
Spring is also a great time to combine sacred traditions with outdoor exploration, whether that means hiking the Amalfi Coast or exploring Rome’s Jubilee pathways on foot.
A Season of Renewal
Easter traditions in Italy reflect the country’s deep-rooted faith, joy in community, and love for the seasons. Whether witnessing a centuries-old procession, sharing frittata in a hillside meadow, or walking through a surrealist dreamscape in a Roman gallery, Easter in Italy in 2025 offers something truly special.
And with Jubilee events continuing throughout the year, spring is just the beginning of a memorable and meaningful journey.
