Easter falls a little later this year but that hasn’t stopped Florence pulling together a great list of celebrations both in the city and surroundings. Here’s our round up of ways to mark Easter 2025.
Traditions
The Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) brings crowds to piazza del Duomo on Easter Sunday (April 20) for the traditional flight of the dove and fireworks display.
Tradition attributes the origins of the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) to Pazzino de’ Pazzi, who, upon returning from a crusade in 1099, brought back some flint stones from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. These stones were used in Florence to light the Easter Saturday celebrations. The ceremony was later moved to Easter Sunday and some Florentines decided to build a triumphal cart that is still escorted to piazza Duomo by the city guards in traditional costumes. All year long, the Brindellone (the name of the cart) is kept in a special depot on via il Prato. On Easter Day, it arrives at the Duomo pulled by four oxen, garnished in flowers for the occasion. The procession starts in via il Prato at 7.30am, proceeding along borgo Ognissanti, piazza Goldoni, via della Vigna Nuova, via Strozzi, piazza della Repubblica and via Roma. From 8.10am onwards, a group of flag throwers will perform along via Porta Rossa, via Calimala and via Roma, before arriving in piazza Duomo, where they perform with musicians while waiting for the main procession to arrive from via il Prato at 9.30am. At 9.45am, lots will be drawn for the San Giovanni Calcio Storico tournament and at 10.30am the procession of Seminarians, Canons and Concelebrants moves to the cathedral steps, where the Easter Day Eucharistic celebration begins with the blessing of the exploding cart and the faithful.
Easter religious services
St. James Episcopal Church’s Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services start at 7pm, with an additional Good Friday service at 12 noon. On Easter Sunday, the service at 11am includes a choir with brass accompaniment, followed by a toast and Easter egg hunt.
St Mark’s English Church (Anglican) has a Maundy Thursday service at 7pm on April 17, and on Good Friday, April 18, there will be a service of music and meditation from 2pm. Easter Sunday will be celebrated with a choral eucharist at 10.30am, followed by a bring-and-share lunch.
Santi Apostoli Church (Roman Catholic) has scheduled services in both English and Italian throughout Holy Week. On Thursday April 17, Mass in English will start at 6pm and in Italian at 7pm, with the Holy Hour and Adoration between 8am and 12pm. On Good Friday, the Passion will be read at 6pm in English, followed by Italian at 7pm, with the Stations of the Cross, also in Italian, at 8pm. On April 19, at 9pm, the procession with the Stones of the Holy Sepulchre to the Duomo will start at Santi Apostoli Church, where Easter vigil Mass will be said at 10pm. Finally, on Easter Sunday, Mass will be held in English at 10.15am, and in Italian at 11.45am and 7pm.
Concerts
Orchestra della Toscana performs an Easter concert in Teatro Verdi on April 17, conducted by Gemma New. Featuring soprano Eleonora Bellocci and countertenor Filippo Mineccia, scores by Pergolesi and Haydn form the memorable serata.
Culture
The Uffizi Galleries offers free entry for April 25, and will remain open with regular rates on Easter Sunday and Monday (except the Vasari Corridor).
Family fun
Activities, workshops and guided tours for all ages are organized by MUS.E over the Easter holidays, with Palazzo Vecchio, MAD Murate Art District, Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Museo Novecento among the sites to be enjoyed.
Creative People in Florence (via dei Serragli 58R) hosts an Easter cards calligraphy workshop on April 3 (smartesnonfarese@gmail.com). An Easter kids crafts session led by Kirstie Mathieson is from 10.30am-12.30pm on April 17, suitable for kids aged three years and over. WhatsApp +39 329 4755006 for info.
The Children’s Lending Library (via Bernardo Rucellai 9) holds an Easter party at 4pm on April 12, costing 3 euro per family for members, and 5 euro per family for non-members. Expect baked goods, books, face painting, crafts, toys, a raffle, games and colouring in the Easter extravaganza.
Binomio
Binomio at Hotel Indigo offers a rich buffet brunch with a welcome drink and freshly prepared fare that’s made all the more memorable by a live DJ set. You can even choose the vinyls to listen to! For little ones, dedicated entertainment keeps them occupied, with a babysitter on site allowing fun for the whole family. Costing 35 euro, with water, coffee and juice included. 15 euro for children aged 7-12, and free for up to 6 years old.
Hard Rock Cafe
On April 20, a special Easter lunch is served at Hard Rock Cafe, with free face painting from midday to 3pm.
Hotel Savoy
Head over to Hotel Savoy’s recently renovated Irene Restaurant for a special Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 20 and a themed menu on Monday, April 21. A selection of seasonal delicacies by chef Fulvio Pierangelini will be enjoyed in the luxurious venue, with the brunch costing 80 euro per person, excluding drinks. Chocolate eggs from the pop-up Slitti store on-site feature a precious surprise inside. The themed ‘Una scampagnata a Firenze’ menu on Monday features local and seasonal ingredients, with dishes like roast lamb with potatoes and rosemary, costing 70 euro per person, excluding drinks. Reservations can be made via email at fb.savoy@roccofortehotels.com.
Villa La Massa
Easter at Villa La Massa will be a celebration of traditions, hospitality and fine Tuscan cuisine. With the Easter package, guests can fully experience the first festive weekend of spring. The program starts in the morning with Holy Mass in the hotel’s private chapel, followed by an Easter brunch at the Il Verrocchio restaurant. The specially prepared menu promises an explosion of taste and tradition, ending sweetly with the artisanal Colomba cake made with quality ingredients and slowly leavened by Villa La Massa’s very own pastry chefs. The special yeast cake will be available for purchase both at the hotel and online, along with signature hand-decorated chocolate eggs. Live music, an exciting Easter egg hunt and plenty of activities for children at our kids’ club are all part of the celebrations.
Torre a Cona
A four-course Easter menu takes you through the flavours of spring, with poached egg and asparagus to start, and the menu featuring Casentino lamb stew and new peas for traditional Easter fare, all brought to a spectacular finale with a chocolate lava cake and citrus sauce, costing 70 euro per person. The à la carte menu is always an option, with typical Tuscan cuisine such as Florentine steak selected weekly by chef Enrico Romualdi from Chianina, Maremmana and Calvanina meats sourced from small local farms. Book your spot by emailing osteria@torreacona.com.
Four Seasons Hotel Florence
On April 20+21, enjoy a delectable brunch at Il Palagio. The festive selection at the Four Seasons Hotel Florence celebrates the best seasonal ingredients and Easter culinary traditions. For information and reservations: dining.firenze@fourseasons.com.
Il Salviatino
From April 20, Da Giacomo at Hotel Il Salviatino presents a refined à la carte menu that includes ricotta and spinach ravioli, traditional capretto and roast potatoes, and, of course, the unmissable Colomba to finish off in style.
Vignamaggio
A whole week of Easter fun is held at the farm from April 17 to 21. From creative workshops and traditional dishes to an Easter egg hunt, Vignamaggio in the heart of Chianti hosts egg decorating workshops twice a day from April 17-19, costing 12 euro per person, On Easter Sunday, enjoy the panoramic view of the valley while savouring an à la carte menu, with a set menu on Easter Monday accompanied by an egg hunt, entertainment and face painting. Book by calling +39 055 8546669.
25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino
25hours Hotel Florence Piazza San Paolino offers Easter specials including grilled marinated ribs, half grilled chicken, fennel sausage, a mixed grill for two and traditional colomba with zabaglione.
Tenuta Poggio Casciano
From April 19 to 21, celebrate Easter at the charming Tenuta Poggio Casciano, immersed in the stunning Tuscan vineyards. Treat yourself to a stay at Casa Ruffino Wine Relais and enjoy the Tradition Reinvented Ultimate tour and tasting, beginning with a visit to the vineyards and continuing in the historic wine cellar, before enjoying a tasting of the most iconic Ruffino labels. The Tre Rane Restaurant presents Ruffino wines paired with tasty culinary proposals.
