Uncover the Festivities and Feasts that Define Easter in Italy

Accompanied by the arrival of spring, this special time of year represents renewal and rebirth. From Thursday to Monday, Italians revel in the joyful holiday and warmer days with colorful processions, traditional services, and — our favorite — fantastic feasts.

While Pasqua is traditionally a religious holiday, it’s more recently considered an opportunity to spend time with those you love. As a popular Italian proverb dictates, “Natale con i tuoi, e Pasqua con chi vuoi,” or, “Spend Christmas with your family, and Easter with whomever you like.” While many continue to spend Easter with their family, more and more extend the celebrations to friends.

The holiday extends over a long weekend, beginning with Giovedì Santo (Holy Thursday), to Venerdì Santo (Good Friday, when meat is withheld in place of a seafood-centric meal), and continuing to Sabato Santo (Holy Saturday). Each holy day offers its own special masses and somber observances.

Finally, church bells toll at midnight on Domenica di Pasqua, joyously announcing the arrival of Easter Sunday. After weeks of austerity, the time has come to celebrate! Festive processions line the cobblestone streets and lead from the city center to the central cathedral. The day culminates with il pranzo di Pasqua, an extravagant midday feast.

While an Easter Sunday menu varies depending on each region’s unique traditions, most Pasqua feasts in Italy include a few nationwide classics.

Lamb is a must, especially when accompanied by spring vegetables, like wild artichokes, mushrooms, and asparagus. Savoury cheese breads have spread from central Italy to the rest of the country. Sweets, such as the dove-shaped colomba cake and extravagantly designed chocolate eggs, are ubiquitous. In the weeks leading up to Easter, store windows feature intricate displays of the traditional treats to be enjoyed at the end of the Easter feast.

Pasqua is the holiday that keeps on giving. The Monday following Easter is called la Pasquetta, which translates to “Little Easter.” Towns typically celebrate the holiday with festivals featuring music, picnics in the great outdoors, and games (you haven’t celebrated Easter until you’ve tried rolling enormous wheels of cheese down village walls in the fewest number of strokes – like they do in Panicale, Umbria).

However you choose to celebrate, la Pasquetta is dedicated to fun, friends, and food.

Celebrate Pasqua like an Italian by shopping online, stopping by our stores, or getting local delivery for ingredients. Don't want to cook? Check out our restaurants for all kinds of festivities.