Easter in Riccione

Easter in Riccione is the first taste of summer. The days get longer, the beach kiosks reopen, the city wakes up after winter and does so with a packed calendar of things to do. For many, it’s the weekend that decides the summer holiday: people come at Easter to try Riccione, and then return in July. If you’re planning the long weekend, here’s what to expect.

Every year the municipality prepares a rich program of events including concerts, exhibitions, markets and family shows, almost all free. To give you a concrete idea, here’s everything that happened during Easter 2026.

The Tulip Park at Villa Lodi Fé

From March 28 to April 12, the garden of Villa Lodi Fé on Viale delle Magnolie turned into a corner of Holland in the heart of Riccione. Over 50,000 tulips planted among blooming lawns, with the possibility to personally pick flowers from the field and take them home.

But the Tulip Park is not just about flowers. On weekends, the atmosphere became even livelier with traveling performances by magicians, puppeteers, musicians, face painters and street artists. For children, Easter egg hunts and traditional outdoor games. For adults, a food area and local artisan stalls.

Cristina D'Avena in Piazzale Ceccarini

On Saturday, April 4 at 4:30 PM, Cristina D'Avena performed in Piazzale Ceccarini with a free-entry concert. Adults and children sang together the most beloved cartoon theme songs ever, in a square full of families. Every year Riccione selects a well-known artist for Easter Saturday, and the free concert in the square has become a regular event.

Kids Family Festival: two days of shows for families

On April 4 and 5, Piazzale Ceccarini turned into a large open-air family arena. Two afternoons of entertainment designed to engage children, parents and grandparents.

After Cristina D'Avena’s concert on Saturday, on Sunday April 5 "Crazy Farm Show" took the stage, a lively and entertaining performance set in an unusual farm, created by Elena Ronchetti for music, direction and choreography. Two shows at 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM, always in Piazzale Ceccarini and always with free admission.

Wanderlust Officina Creativa at Villa Mussolini

From April 4 to 6, Villa Mussolini hosted Wanderlust, Bloom Edition, the open-air creative workshop blending high-quality craftsmanship, music and traveling performances.

The program included workshops for adults (crochet, macramé, sunset yoga, tea ceremony) and workshops for children (paper hot air balloons, painting, recycling art), as well as live music, cultural walks and artisan stalls.

Markets at Giardini Alba

On Sunday April 5 and Monday April 6, the square of Giardini Alba (between Viale Cilea, Viale Dante and Viale Boito) hosted markets by hobbyists and artisans, open from 10 AM to 8 PM. Handmade creations, vintage items and small local productions, in a green and quiet corner of the city.

Electronic music on the Viale Dante bridge

On Sunday April 5, from 4 PM to 8 PM, the bridge of Viale Dante came alive with an avant-garde sound experience, an open-air DJ set designed to create a young and exclusive atmosphere in the heart of the promenade.

Art exhibitions: Villa Franceschi and Villa Mussolini

For those looking for something different from the usual stroll among market stalls, the Easter weekend marked the opening of two major exhibitions:

Bruno Barbey, "The Italians", inaugurated on April 4 at Villa Mussolini. A major photographic exhibition dedicated to the renowned Magnum agency photographer and his reportage on Italy in the 1960s.

Andrea Chiesi, "Kairos. The Crucial Time", inaugurated on April 4 at 6 PM at Villa Franceschi. A contemporary art solo exhibition open until May 17.

Smanèt Easter Market (after Easter)

For those staying a few extra days or returning the following weekend, from April 19 to 21 Villa Lodi Fé hosted the Smanèt Easter Market, an artistic craft market with creative offerings, musical performances and small traveling shows.

The beach in April

Don’t expect to go swimming (even if some try). But Riccione’s beach at Easter has its own charm: it’s empty, clean, quiet. The first rows of sunbeds start to appear, lifeguards set up umbrellas, and kiosks already serve aperitifs and ice cream. It’s the best time for a walk along the shoreline without the August chaos.

The seaside promenade is perfect for a walk in April, with a breeze that is no longer cold but not yet warm. Viale Ceccarini becomes lively again, outdoor café tables reappear, and the harbor area has that calm charm that gets lost in the summer crowds.

💡 Pro tips for a stress-free visit

Easter in Riccione gets very crowded. Here are some tips to enjoy it at its best:

1. Book by February. In 2026, central hotels were almost fully booked a month in advance. If you want to stay near Piazzale Ceccarini, don’t wait.

2. Bring a jacket. April on the Riviera is unpredictable. During the day you might wear short sleeves, but in the evening temperatures drop quite a bit. A light jacket will save you when leaving the restaurant at 10 PM.

3. If you have kids, aim for Saturday morning. The Tulip Park and Wanderlust workshops are less crowded early in the morning. Saturday afternoon, with the concert in the square, is peak time.

4. Get around by bike. At Easter, traffic in the center is manageable, but biking remains the best way to move around Riccione. Many hotels offer bikes for free.

5. Explore the hinterland. The Easter weekend is perfect for a half-day trip to the villages of the Romagna hinterland. Gradara, San Leo, Montebello: real castles, just half an hour by car, and without the summer crowds.

6. The concert in the square is free, but it gets crowded. Arrive at least half an hour early if you want to be near the front. Alternatively, enjoy the music from the café tables along Viale Ceccarini.