Easter Break in Bologna
Updated on 06 March 2026 From Davide Sarti
Experience Easter 2026 in Bologna with a weekend dedicated to art, culture, and walks in the greenery.
Take advantage of museums and exhibitions open during the holidays, join events and guided tours, and discover the city’s most iconic landmarks for an unforgettable Easter experience.
What to do in Bologna for Easter 2026: unmissable events, tours, and flavors
Visit a museum or a temporary exhibition
Take advantage of your free time to visit one of the city’s museums: choose among the civic museums, the university museums, the National Art Gallery, or the Museum of the History of Bologna to enjoy the richness of Bologna’s culture, spanning archaeological and medieval history, science and industry, and classical and modern art.
Or visit an exhibition in one of the city’s historic palaces. You still have time to discover the exhibition dedicated to the Bolognese painter Bartolomeo Cesi at the Civic Medieval Museum. At Palazzo Pepoli, you can explore Identità. L’io plurale – do ut do 2026, a contemporary reflection on the theme of identity through the perspective of several artists. At the Modernissimo Gallery you can visit Li ho visti, an exhibition by illustrator and comic artist Stefano Ricci. Also highly captivating is Graphic Japan, a fascinating visual journey through Japanese art between tradition and modernity.
Join a tour or a unique experience
Take part in the walking guided tour Discover Bologna to explore the most iconic spots in the historic center, and don’t miss the chance to climb the Clock Tower for one of the city’s most breathtaking panoramic views. You can also visit the Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio, the oldest seat of the University of Bologna, featuring its Anatomical Theatre and walls covered with heraldic coats of arms.
If you love being outdoors, try the E-bike tour on the Bologna hills, perfect for enjoying the city from above in a sustainable way. Or experience an adventure in nature with Trekking col Treno, an experience that combines nature and history—check the official website for available dates.
➝ Discover all tours available from Saturday, April 4 to Monday, April 6
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Music events and live performances
There are plenty of events not to be missed over the Easter holidays.
On Saturday, April 4 at 8:30 pm, the Auditorium Manzoni hosts a new event in the Concerti | Sinfonica 2026 series: conductor Michele Mariotti takes the podium to lead the Orchestra of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna in an evening dedicated to great works of the symphonic repertoire.
To be updated
Ideas for a family holiday
The city offers plenty of opportunities for children and families during the long Easter weekend. On April 4 and 5, don’t miss the puppet show with guided tour “A walk through the museum with the wooden heads” at the Museum of the History of Bologna. On April 6, there will be two performances of the puppet show “Sganapino and the Easter Bunny”.
For nature lovers, on Monday, April 6 there will be a family excursion to Monte Sole, part of the Trekking on the Paths of the Resistance series— a unique opportunity to combine history, nature, and memory in an outdoor experience.
Take a walk on the Bologna hills or go on a day trip
During the Easter weekend, in Bologna it is traditional to take advantage of the mild early spring weather for a walk to the Sanctuary of San Luca, walking along the longest portico in the world up to the top of Monte della Guardia.
But there are many paths to explore on the Bologna hills, as well as plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic or a barbecue with friends or family.
For those seeking a day trip, the province offers many hidden gems among villages and secret landscapes. Here you can combine nature, history, and culture while tasting local gastronomic delights along the way.
➝ Discover some of the best villages to visit
How will you choose to enjoy Easter in Bologna?
Lover of storytelling and of walks along trails that fade into the horizon. I've been writing for bolognawelcome.com since 2021.
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