Easter in Rome 2026: Dates, Mass at the Vatican and Museum Hours

Easter in Rome 2026: dates, Mass at the Vatican and museum hours

I’m Paola and I host pilgrims just steps from St. Peter’s. Holy Week is the most intense moment of the year in Rome. If you’re here for Easter 2026, here are the exact dates, ceremony times and museum openings to experience it stress-free.

The dates of Holy Week 2026

Easter 2026 falls on Sunday 5 April. The calendar:

• 29 March — Palm Sunday: Mass in St. Peter’s Square
• 2 April — Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper (evening)
• 3 April — Good Friday: Way of the Cross at the Colosseo (9:15 pm)
• 4 April — Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s (night)
• 5 April — Easter: solemn Mass + Urbi et Orbi (10:00)
• 6 April — Easter Monday (Pasquetta)

The Vatican ceremonies: how to take part

The Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square begins at 10:00, followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing. To take part, request the free tickets from the Prefecture of the Papal Household (form on prefettura.va) 4–6 weeks in advance; without a ticket, the outer areas remain accessible. Arrive by 8:00.

For the Way of the Cross at the Colosseo on Good Friday (9:15 pm) the outer area is free; the stands require tickets. Bring a jacket, the late-March nights are chilly. All ceremonies may change: check on vatican.va.

Museum hours at Easter 2026

Musei Vaticani and Sistine Chapel: closed on Easter Sunday (5 April) and Good Friday; open Monday to Saturday of the preceding week and on Easter Monday. Booking compulsory on museivaticani.va, tickets sold out weeks before.

Colosseo: generally open on Easter day and Easter Monday (check on coopculture.it). The Musei Capitolini are usually open at Easter.

Practical tips

Metro A (Ottaviano stop) is the fastest connection to the Vatican; on ceremony days some roads are closed to traffic — avoid the car. For the basilicas you need shoulders and knees covered. Don’t miss the colomba (Easter dove cake) and the artisanal chocolate eggs from the pastry shops on Via Cola di Rienzo, in Prati.

Where to stay at Easter

During Holy Week, staying near the Vatican is a logistical necessity: the ceremonies start early and finish late. My Vatican Luxury Apartment is a 5–10 minute walk from St. Peter’s, so you can pop back between one ceremony and the next. Rooms for Easter sell out months ahead: check availability now.