Easter in Rovinj: tradition and music on Marshal Tito Square
On Rovinj’s largest square, in the heart of the old town surrounded by stone façades and fishermen’s houses, Easter in 2026 will be marked by a combination of tradition, music, and socializing. The Tourist Board of the city of Rovinj has announced a program that, starting from the morning hours, offers a rich cultural-gastronomic experience, with an emphasis on preserving local heritage and involving all generations. This event continues a long-standing practice of linking holiday celebrations with the presentation of the city’s cultural values and is an invitation to all visitors to check the offers of
accommodation in Rovinj when planning their arrival so that the experience is as pleasant as possible.
Parade and ceremonial opening
The program begins on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. when a ceremonial parade of the Rovinj Brass Band and the Rovinj majorettes passes through the city center. The marching orchestra led by young musicians will fill the streets with marches, while the majorettes will bring a festive atmosphere among passers-by with their choreographies. According to the organizers’ announcement, the goal is to recall the rich tradition of Rovinj’s brass orchestras and give the holiday a ceremonial tone. The parade passes through the main streets of the old town and ends at Marshal Tito Square, where visitors are awaited by the continuation of the program. In this part of the day, tourists can take the opportunity to sightsee the historic buildings and enjoy the panoramas, and
accommodation capacities close to the event location are also available to those who intend to extend their stay in Rovinj.
Gastronomic offer, music, and creative workshops
After the parade follows the gastronomic part of the event. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the main square, visitors can taste a free traditional tasting menu prepared in cooperation with the Association–Associazione “Kuća o batani – Casa della batana”. This association gathers enthusiasts dedicated to preserving Rovinj’s fishing tradition, and during the holiday it will present typical dishes prepared according to old recipes. The tasting menu includes fish specialties, homemade bread, Malvasia and Teran, and visitors have the opportunity to talk with the association’s members about the history of local cuisine. The musical part of the morning program is enriched by Sugar Notes Trio, which performs a varied repertoire of popular and traditional songs. For the youngest, a face-painting corner “Facepainting by tetacrtalica” is planned, where children, with expert animators, will be able to turn their ideas into colorful motifs. During the late morning, the scent of pinca and boiled eggs spreads through the city, while handmade souvenirs can be found at nearby stalls.
In the afternoon part, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the band Voodoo Strings performs and will, according to the announcement, play modern and traditional melodies in its own interpretation. At the same time, a workshop of traditional Easter egg decoration is organized on the square, where visitors can learn techniques of dyeing Easter eggs with natural colors and decorating them with wax. The workshop is led by members of local cultural-artistic societies, and a mini exhibition of the best works is also planned. In this way, the organizers want to remind visitors that Easter eggs in Istria are a symbol of life and that they are traditionally dyed with natural colors such as onion skin or beetroot. A special atmosphere is created by combining music with the aromas of Easter delicacies, and parents and children participate together in preserving customs.
Kuća o batani and the preservation of fishing heritage
The central partner of this event is the Association Kuća o batani – Casa della batana, an ecomuseum dedicated to the traditional Rovinj batana. A batana is a small wooden flat-bottom fishing boat that Rovinj fishermen have used for centuries to sail along the coast. Kuća o batani tells precisely that story: through multimedia presentations, models, music, and interactive exhibits, the museum display introduces visitors to the history of the boat, the builders, the materials, and the fishermen’s way of life. Because of the successful preservation of heritage and the involvement of the local community, in 2016 the ecomuseum was entered into UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage. During the Easter program, the ecomuseum’s volunteers will present the process of building a batana, exhibit models, and offer visitors the opportunity to try knot tying. In cooperation with the museum, a tasting menu is also being prepared in order to highlight the connection between fishing and gastronomy.
Guided tours “Feel the breeze of Rovinj”
As part of the holiday weekend, the Tourist Board is also organizing special guided walks under the title “Feel the breeze of Rovinj”. These free tours are designed to introduce visitors to the city’s history and culture, and they continue even after Easter. According to the Tourist Board’s calendar, in 2026 the walks take place on 4 April at 4:00 p.m., 2 May at 10:00 a.m., and every Tuesday from 2 June to 6 October starting at 10:00 a.m. Departure is in front of the Tourist Board headquarters at Trg na mostu 2, and the walk lasts about two hours.
The route covers the city’s most important sights: Garibaldi Street, the old cobbler’s workshop in Zdenčeva, Bregovita Street, the viewpoint, St. Euphemia’s Church with an interior tour, Grisia, Porečka Street, Garzotto, Veli trg, Gate Under the Wall, the city harbor, and the main city piazza. Participants in Casale Street are welcomed by a musical program featuring bitinadas – old Rovinj songs – and “rie da nuoto”, followed by a tasting of Rovinj wines, olive oil, and cheese on the premises of Agrorovinj. Tourist guides share stories about sailors, merchants, artists, and priests who shaped the city and point out architectural details that are often overlooked. Due to great interest, registration is recommended at least one hour before the start of the tour, and information can be obtained via info@rovinj-tourism.hr. These walks are an ideal opportunity for everyone who wants to deepen the Easter experience by exploring the city and its hidden corners.
Istrian Easter customs
The Easter program in Rovinj fits into the broader context of Istrian customs. In Istria, eggs, called Easter eggs, have always been decorated with natural colors symbolizing life – red color is given by onion skins, and purple by beetroot. Easter eggs are inseparable from the egg-tapping game in which children compete to see whose egg will remain intact. At the Easter breakfast, the central place is occupied by pinca – a sweet bread with raisins, round in shape and decorated with a cross. Besides pinca and Easter eggs, boiled ham, spring onions, salt, and radishes are traditionally blessed, and lamb cooked under the bell is enjoyed with homemade Malvasia or Teran wine. These delicacies are also available in Rovinj during the Easter days, both at tasting stalls and in many restaurants. The organizers therefore recommend that visitors get information about
accommodation close to the event location and reserve a table in one of the many local taverns in advance.
Rovinj in spring: culture, nature, and accommodation
Springtime Rovinj is especially attractive thanks to its mild climate, seaside promenades, and rich cultural program. Visitors planning a longer stay can combine Easter events with a visit to the Kuća o batani Ecomuseum, a boat ride to the nearby islands, a tour of Zlatni rt Forest Park, or participation in other events held in April such as flower festivals and gastronomic routes. Many hotels, guesthouses, and private renters offer special Easter packages, so it is recommended to check the current
accommodation offers in Rovinj and choose what best suits wishes and budget. In addition, the city market and local shops are full of seasonal products, and a walk through the old core reveals authentic workshops and ateliers.
For guests who want to combine rest and an active stay, Rovinj offers cycling and hiking trails, diving and sailing courses, as well as the possibility of participating in sports events such as the Wings for Life World Run. Romantic souls will enjoy sunsets on the waterfront, while families will find entertainment at children’s playgrounds and beaches near the center. All the listed activities can easily be combined with the Easter event thanks to the compactness of the city and the good organization of the Tourist Board.
The holiday program on Marshal Tito Square thus becomes the center of meetings between local residents and visitors. Through music, cuisine, workshops, and guided tours, the city presents its rich heritage and invites everyone to discover it in an authentic way. Easter in Rovinj is not just a one-day event, but an opportunity for a multi-day stay in which tradition and modern tourist services come together. Year after year, the event attracts an ever-growing number of guests, and in 2026 a record turnout is expected thanks to the attractive program and the mild spring climate. Visitors who want to experience the full atmosphere should already now plan their trip and book
accommodation for visitors, because during Easter Rovinj becomes one of the liveliest places on the Adriatic coast.
Sources:- Vodnjanski đir – article about the rich Easter program in Rovinj (https://www.vodnjanski.info/rovinj-priprema-bogat-program-za-uskrs-glazba-tradicija-i-druzenje-na-trgu-m-tita/)- Istra.hr – official page of the event “Easter in Rovinj” (https://www.istra.hr/hr/destinacije/rovinj/dogadjanja/27833)- Istra.hr – article about Kuća o batani and the UNESCO inscription (https://www.istra.hr/en/experience/culture/museums-and-collections/2515)- Istra.hr – Easter customs in Istria (https://www.istra.hr/hr/dozivljaji/uskrsni-obicaji-u-istri)- Rovinj-tourism.com – description of the guided tours “Feel the breeze of Rovinj” (https://www.rovinj-tourism.com/en/discover/feel-the-breeze-of-Rovinj/1206)
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