Corfu Easter Celebrations – 2026 Timetable & Events Guide

Corfu’s Easter celebrations are a unique blend of Orthodox Christian traditions, Venetian influences, and local customs, making them a must-experience for visitors. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the festivities leading up to Easter:

Crowd celebrating Easter festival in Corfu, Greece with floral decorations and procession.

Lazarus Saturday (April 4, 2026)

This day marks the resurrection of Lazarus and is the official start of Holy Week. In Corfu Villages, children go door-to-door singing the traditional “Lazarus carols,” receiving treats in return. Churches hold special services, and the first Easter preparations begin.

Lazarus Carols: the Easter season begins with the enchanting sounds of choirs gathering at the Holy Church of Saint Nikolaos of the Elders. From there, they spread through the charming streets of the old town, filling the air with the traditional Lazarus Carols. By 12:30 all choirs reunite at the historic San Giacomo Town Hall for a grand final performance, bringing this cherished musical tradition to a harmonious close.
Evening Concert: At 20:30, religious music will be performed by the Corfu choir at the 📍The Palace of St. Michael and George (Asian Art Museum)

Palm Sunday (April 5, 2026)

The day begins with Palm blessing ceremonies that take place in churches around the island. locals attending attend church services and receive blessed palm leaves crosses with olive branches, symbolising peace and victory.

Procession of Saint Spyridon: At 11:00 am a grand procession takes place around town starting at the Saint Spyridon church. The procession features the relics of the Saint, accompanied by philharmonic orchestras. This tradition dates back to 1630 when Corfiots believed his relics saved the island from the plague.
Evening Concert 20:30 : The Kapodistrias Philharmonic Association, alongside the renowned Corfu Choir r of the Corfu Metropolitan Church, presents a breathtaking concert at the 📍Holy Church of St George (Old Fortress), located within the iconic Old Fortress of Corfu.

The traditional meal of the day is codfish with garlic-flavoured mashed potatoes, enjoyed in all households and served in restaurants as the day’s special.

Holy Monday (April 6 2026)

The days that follow are dedicated to prayers and spiritual reflection.

21:00 Concert: Religious music played by the Philharmonic of Kinopiastes at the 📍Cathedral of St James and Christopher (Duomo)
21:00 Concert: The Mantzaros Philharmonic Society performs at the 📍Church of St George (In the Old Fortress)

Holy Tuesday (April 7, 2026)

Holy Tuesday continues the rich musical programme of Easter celebrations in Corfu, with a series of concerts held in historic churches and cultural venues throughout Corfu Town.

20:30 – Concert by the Korakiana Philharmonic Orchestra at the 📍Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
21:30 – Poetic music evening performed by the St Spyridon Choir at the Asian Art Musuem 📍 The Palace of St. Michael and George

Holy Wednesday (April 8, 2026)

Holy Unction: Sung by all city churches on Holy Wednesday.

19:00 – The Service of Maundy (Washing of the Feet), sung by the Metropolis Choir at the 📍Church of All Saints
20:30 – Concert by the Skripero Philharmonic Orchestra at the 📍Holy Church of St George (in the Old Fortress)
20:30 – Religious music performance by the San Giacomo Choir with the Ionian Islands Symphony Orchestra 📍 The Palace of St. Michael and George

Holy Thursday (April 9, 2026)

Twelve Gospels Service: Commemorating Christ’s suffering in all churches.
Dyeing Red Eggs: The dyeing of red eggs is a central and vibrant tradition of Greek Easter. In households across the country, eggs are carefully dyed a deep crimson, symbolizing the blood of Christ. These eggs are then a prominent part of the Easter Sunday feas
Mandatum: At 20:00, the Mandatum ceremony will take place at the Catholic Cathedral of Saints Jacob and Christopher (Duomo). During this Holy Thursday ritual, the Catholic Archbishop will symbolically wash the feet of twelve children, in commemoration of Jesus’s washing of his disciples’ feet
Last Practice: People gather under the buildings of the Philharmonics to listen to the final rehearsals for the Epitaphs of Good Friday.

Good Friday (April 10, 2026)

Epitaph Processions: On Good Friday, a solemn and moving tradition unfolds as all city churches participate in the procession of their Epitaphs. Each church, in a carefully orchestrated sequence, carries its decorated bier through the streets, accompanied by the haunting melodies of Corfu’s three renowned philharmonic bands. To facilitate this island-wide observance, the philharmonics divide into smaller ensembles, ensuring each Epitaph is accompanied by music. Choirs, schools, and scout groups join the processions, adding to the poignant atmosphere.
Grand Procession: The culmination of this deeply spiritual event occurs at 10:00 PM with the departure of the Epitaph from the Metropolitan Cathedral. This grand procession, the most extensive of the evening, traverses the longest route and draws the largest congregation. Notably, all three philharmonic bands, now reunited with their full ranks (including the Philharmonic Society of Corfu’s impressive 400+ musicians), along with all the participating choirs, schools, and scouts, converge to escort this final Epitaph, creating a truly majestic and unforgettable spectacle.

Below you will find the full list of the Corfu Town Epitaphs

Holy Saturday (April 11, 2026)

Earthquake Reenactment: At 6:00am in the Church of Panagia Ton Xenon (Virgin Mary of the Foreigners) in Corfu town an re-enactment of the earthquake that according to the interpreting the Gospel occurred just after the Resurrection of Christ
Saint Spyridon Litany: At 09:00 Litany of the Holy Relic of Saint Spyridon and procession of the Epitaph of His Holy Church. This is the oldest procession of the Saint which first took place in 1553. It commemorates his miracle that saved the island from famine.
First Resurrection : As the clock strikes 11:00am church bells of St. Spyridon sound in a harmonious peal announcing the first resurrection. Dramatic bell chimes and drumbeats announce the First Resurrection.
Pot (Botides) Smashing: Seconds after the bells sound from the announcement of the first resurrection Large clay pots filled with water are thrown out of windows and balconies. To witness this spectacle the Place to be is near the Liston or narrow streets around it.
Midnight Resurrection: People gather in Corfu Town Square or the Square of the villages and are waiting for Midnight. The Priest announces the resurrection of Christ, followed by a spectacular fireworks display

Crowd waiting for the pot throwing to begin — Crowds at Pentofanaro waiting for the pot throwing Corfu Easter tradition to commence

Easter Sunday (April 12, 2026)

Resurrection Processions: Each church holds a procession of their icon of Resurrection accompanied by bands.
Family Meal: The traditional Easter meal is Roasted lamb on the spit. People also eat the red eggs they had painted days before. On the dinner table each person picks their egg and try to crack the eggs of the others.

Good Friday Epitaph Procession Timetable

Time: 12:30

The Holy Church of Agia Irini (General Prefectural Hospital)
The Holy Church of Agios Artemios (Police Headquarters, Old Hospital)

14:00

The Holy Church of Pantokratoros (Kambielo)
The Holy Church of the Holy Mother of God Spileotissa (New Fortress).

15:30

H. Church of Saint Nicholas of Loutron (Baths) (Gate of Saint Nicholas – Faliraki).

16:00

H. Church of St. George (Old Fortress).

16:30

H. Church of St. Panteleimon (Psychiatric Hospital)

17:00

Holy Monastery of St. Euphemia (Mon Repos)
H.C. of Odigetrias – Panagiopoula (Porta Remounta)

17:30

Monastery of the Holy Mother of God Kassopitra (Figareto)
H. Church of the Ascension (Analipsi)
H. Church of St. George (Mantouki)

18:00

H. Church of All Saints (City)
H. Church of the Resurrection (1st Municipal Cemetery)
H. Monastery of Saints Theodori (Stratia)

18:30

H. Church of St. Sophia (Jewish quarter)
H. Church of Saint Paraskevi (Porta Remounta)

19:00

H. Church of St. Anthony (Spilia)
H. Church of the Holy Trinity (Garitsa)
H. Church of St. Constantine and Helen (Koulines)
H. Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God Mamalon (Kogevina Hill)
H. Church of St. Jason and Sosipatros (Garitsa)

19:15

H. Church of Holy Mother of God Vlacherna (Garitsa)

19:30

H. Church of Agios Eleftherios (Kofineta)
H. Church of Agios Spyridon of San Rocco (Kotsela)
H. Church Three Martyrs Saints (Garitsa)
H. Church of Holy Mother of God Faneromenis / Panagia ton Xenon (Saint Spyridon church square)

20:00

H. Church of St. Basil (Pinia)
H. Church of St. John of Lazo (Kefalomantouko)
H. Church of St. Barbaros (Potamos)
H. Church of St. Nicholas Alykon (Alykes)
H. Church Of All Saints (Gouvia)

20:15

H. Church of St Nikolaos of the Elders (Campiello – old town)

20:30

H. Church of St John (Piatsa – Old Town)

20:45

Catholic Cathedral of Saints Jacob & Christopher (Duomo)

21:00

Church of St. Spyridon. Procession of the Epitaph inside the Church, Accompanied by the sounds of the Corfu Philharmonic Society

22:00

H.Church of Holy Mother of God Spileotissa – Metropolitan Church (Spilia).