Italy marks Easter with two public holidays.
Italy celebrates Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – Pasqua and Pasquetta – with national public holidays on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 April 2026.
All public offices and schools will be closed on 6 April for Pasquetta, a day traditionally marked in Italy with a picnic or a day trip out of town.
Most museums and archaeological sites in Italy will stay open for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday however the Vatican Museums will be closed on both days.
A ‘dove-shaped’ cake called the Colomba di Pasqua is a popular treat in Italy over the Easter holidays while Roman restaurants typically offer menus featuring abbacchio (lamb) for Easter lunch.
Another tradition in Rome on Easter Sunday involves a brunch of hard-boiled eggs (often painted brightly), salami and cheese, accompanied by the classic pizza al formaggio
Easter in Italy is a time to celebrate with friends, as highlighted by the expression: “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi”, meaning Christmas with your family, Easter with whoever you want.
The Easter holidays are followed later in the month by a public holiday for the Festa della Liberazione on 25 April, which this year falls on a Saturday meaning it will make little difference to schools or public offices.
