Easter in Florence 2025 – Discover the vibrant Easter celebrations in Florence, Italy, in 2025. From the spectacular ‘scoppio del carro‘ ceremony to exploring world-renowned museums like the Uffizi Gallery. Plan your Easter in Florence with our comprehensive guide.
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Easter 2025 in Florence: A Blend of Tradition, Culture, and Springtime Splendor
Easter in Florence, Italy, is a time-honored celebration, blending deep-rooted traditions with the charm of early spring.
In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, marking the start of the city’s vibrant tourist season. In Italy, the following day, “Pasquetta” (Easter Monday), is also a holiday, occurring on April 21.
Easter Sunday officially kicks off the tourist season in Florence: the city streets bustle with people from all around the world.
Don’t miss the chance to experience an unforgettable Easter in Florence! Book your hotel now and secure your stay amidst the city’s unique historical and cultural celebrations
Schedule of events organized by the City of Florence on the morning of Sunday, April 20, 2025
6:15 AM – Departure of the oxen from Le Cascine Park (Viale dell’Aeronautica).
7:30 AM – The “Cart of Fire” (“Carro del Fuoco”), escorted by the Historical Parade of the Florentine Republic, leaves the depot on Via il Prato toward Piazza Duomo, following this route:
Via il Prato, Borgo Ognissanti, Piazza Goldoni, Via della Vigna Nuova, Via Strozzi, Piazza della Repubblica, and Via Roma.
8:10 AM – A group of flag-throwers from the Uffizi makes its way along Via Porta Rossa, Via Calimala, and Via Roma to Piazza Duomo, where a performance with musicians is scheduled while awaiting the arrival of the Cart of Fire.
8:20 AM – A delegation from the Historical Parade of the Florentine Republic departs from Piazzetta di Parte Guelfa, proceeding along Via Porta Rossa, Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, Via Vacchereccia, and Piazza della Signoria. At 8:50 AM, accompanied by the city’s banner (Gonfalone), the mayor, and local authorities, the group continues along Via Calzaiuoli, Via degli Speziali, Piazza della Repubblica, and Via Roma, arriving at Piazza Duomo around 9:30 AM.
9:30 AM – Arrival of the Historical Parade and the Cart of Fire in Piazza Duomo.
9:45 AM – Drawing of the match schedule for the San Giovanni Tournament.
10:30 AM – The procession of Seminarians, Canons, and Concelebrants heads to the steps of the Cathedral for the Easter Sunday Eucharistic celebration, which includes the blessing of the Cart of Fire and the faithful.
11:00 AM – Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart).
12:30 PM – At the end of the Mass, the Gonfalone, the Fire-Bearer, and the reliquary containing the Stones of the Holy Sepulcher exit through the Cathedral’s main door and proceed along Via Calzaiuoli, Piazza della Signoria, Via Vacchereccia, and Borgo SS. Apostoli to the Church of the Holy Apostles (Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli), where the Stones are returned.
The ‘Scoppio del Carro’ – A Centuries-Old Easter Tradition
A highlight of Easter in Florence is the ‘scoppio del carro‘ (Explosion of the Cart) ceremony, a spectacular event dating back to the Crusades. Witness this fantastic tradition in front of the majestic Florence Cathedral.
Every Easter morning in Florence, Italy, the historical magic of the ‘Scoppio del Carro’ (Explosion of the Cart) ceremony is renewed.
This spectacular event, also known as “Brindellone,” features a “fire cart” escorted by 150 individuals including armed guards, musicians, and flag bearers from the Historic Procession of the Florentine Republic.
The procession starts from Piazzale del Prato, with the cart drawn by two pairs of beautifully decorated white oxen, and concludes in Piazza del Duomo, positioned between the Baptistery and the Cathedral.
During the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” chant, the fuse of the ‘colombina’ (a small dove-shaped rocket) is lit, which then ignites the expertly arranged mortars and fireworks on the cart, creating a stunning display.
The ‘Scoppio del Carro’ is a ceremony steeped in deep historical and devotional significance, particularly for the people of Florence. It embodies the city’s identity, with locals historically interpreting the flight of the ‘colombina’ from the main altar of the Duomo to the Cart as an omen for the upcoming harvest season.
The story behind the ‘Brindellone’ is equally legendary. The term “brindellone” is a Florentine slang for a tall, swaying, perhaps slightly unstable and ragged person, yet viewed with affection and sympathy. The origin of this term’s association with the cart dates back to a festival celebrated by the Florentine Mint in honor of its patron, Saint John the Baptist. On June 24, a hay cart would leave the Mint’s tower, circling the city while pulling a man dressed in rags, representing the hermit saint, who was also called “brindellone,” especially due to his swaying after feasting in the square. This term then became popularly used to identify all carts used in the city for public ceremonies.
This festival dates back to the times of the First Crusade, specifically to the return from Jerusalem of the Florentine captain Pazzino dei Pazzi, who brought back three flints from the Holy Sepulchre. These stones were used to spark a “new fire” distributed to Florentine families for rekindling their hearths after being blessed, symbolizing the Resurrection.
The Pazzi family, with the construction of the monumental “Fire Cart,” laid the foundations for today’s ceremony, symbolically distributing the blessed fire throughout the city.
From the 17th century onwards, the ceremony took on its current form, with four elegantly adorned oxen pulling the Brindellone from Prato to the Duomo.
Today, as in the past, when the rocket returns towards the altar, a loud applause erupts from the church. The ceremony is preceded by a traditional procession, a parade in period costumes, and a religious celebration in the Baptistery.
Easter Sunday Afternoon in Florence
No Easter in Florence is complete without visiting its world-famous museums.
The most sought-after museum in Florence is undoubtedly the Uffizi Gallery. The second most visited is the Accademia Gallery, home to the original statue of Michelangelo’s David.
Recommended Easter 2025 Group Tours from Florence
Plan your excursions with our curated list of group tours available during Easter 2025. From the scenic Chianti wine-tasting tours to historical explorations in Siena and Pisa, find out the best options for your travel itinerary.
| Tour Name | Departures | Duration | Cost per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chianti Tour with Wine and Local Product Tasting | Daily at 08:30 am and 02:30 pm | 5.5 hours | From Euro 55.00 |
| Siena, S. Gimignano, and Monteriggioni Tour | Daily at 08:45 am | 11 hours | From Euro 65.00 |
| Pisa and Lucca Tour | Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 09:00 am | 9 hours | From Euro 65.00 |
| Val d’Orcia Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting | Daily at 08:00 am | 11.5 hours | From Euro 92.00 |
| Assisi and Orvieto Tour | Mondays and Thursdays at 07:30 am | 11.5 hours | From Euro 93.00 |
The Florence Easter Tours above are sold by Get Your Guide and organized by a Florentine tour operator with an excellent reputation in Italy.
Here’s the English (American) version of the museum hours section:
Florence Civic Museums – Easter 2025 Hours
Sunday, April 20 – Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, the following museums will be closed to the public:
- Stefano Bardini Museum
- Brancacci Chapel
- Salvatore Romano Foundation
- Gino Bartali Cycling Museum
- Memorial of Deportations
The other civic museums will be open as usual:
- Palazzo Vecchio: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Arnolfo Tower: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Museo Novecento: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Santa Maria Novella Complex: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (free admission for Easter)
Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday (Pasquetta)
On Easter Monday, all civic museums will follow their regular opening hours, with the exception of the Gino Bartali Museum, which will be closed.
Opening hours for Easter Monday:
- Palazzo Vecchio: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Arnolfo Tower: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Museo Novecento: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Santa Maria Novella Complex: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Stefano Bardini Museum: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Brancacci Chapel and Salvatore Romano Foundation: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Memorial of Deportations: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (reservation required at +39 055 0541450 or info@musefirenze.it)
During Holy Week, the basilica of Santa Maria Novella will follow a special schedule with reduced hours, closures, and free entry on selected days. Full details are available at:
https://cultura.comune.fi.it/pagina/musei-civici-fiorentini/santa-maria-novella
Learn more about Easter in Florence
If it’s sunny, visit Florence’s traditional gardens. How about a stroll through one of Florence’s most famous historic gardens?
A visit to the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli), especially on sunny days, perhaps followed by a walk in the Palazzo Pitti.
With our guide, your Easter 2025 in Florence promises to be an unforgettable journey through tradition, culture, and natural beauty. We encourage you to share your experiences and tips, contributing to our community of Florence enthusiasts.
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