Easter in Georgia 2027: Dates, Public Holidays, Traditions and Where to Go

Easter is the most important church holiday in Georgia, bigger than Christmas. I guide visitors around the country over Easter too, and I always recommend seeing at least one Easter night in Tbilisi: thousands of people holding candles, bells ringing and the shared "Christ is risen!" at midnight. Below are the dates, what happens on each day and how to plan your trip.

When is Easter in Georgia in 2027

Like other Orthodox churches, the Georgian Church calculates Easter by the Julian calendar, so the date changes every year. In 2027 Orthodox Easter is on May 2, while Western Easter is on March 28.

In Georgian, Easter is Aghdgoma (აღდგომა), "Resurrection". It is preceded by 48 days of Great Lent, and many Tbilisi restaurants offer a separate Lenten menu during this time.

Orthodox Easter in Georgia by year

Dates follow the Orthodox Easter calculation. The days off are always the same four: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Easter week day by day

• Red Friday (Tsiteli Paraskevi). The main task of the day is dyeing eggs, which should be done before sunset.
• Holy Saturday. Families bake paska and prepare the festive table. In the evening people head to church, and Tbilisi awaits the Holy Fire from Jerusalem.
• Sunday. The night service ends at dawn, and families break the fast at home with eggs, paska, meat and wine. During the day people visit each other.
• Monday. Day of Remembrance. Families go to cemeteries, light candles at the graves and roll red eggs over them, a way of "sharing the meal" with their loved ones.

Bzoba: Palm Sunday the Georgian way

A week before Easter, on April 25 in 2027, Georgia celebrates Bzoba (ბზობა), the Entry of Christ into Jerusalem. The name comes from bza, boxwood. Palms and willows are rare here, so people bring evergreen boxwood sprigs to church instead, and small bunches are sold at every church door that morning.

The blessed boxwood is taken home and kept for a year, by the icons or above the door. The next year the old sprigs are burned, never thrown away. Bzoba is not a day off, but churches are full in the morning, so it is worth looking in if you are in Tbilisi a week before Easter.

Traditions: red eggs, paska and the Easter greeting

Red eggs. In Georgia, eggs are dyed with madder root, called endro in Georgian. The root is boiled together with the eggs and turns the shells a deep red. Before Easter, bundles of endro are sold at every market, such as the Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi. Onion skins are the other option. Red stands for the blood of Christ and eternal life.

Egg fights. At the Sunday table everyone picks an egg and taps it against someone else's in turn. Whoever's egg stays intact wins.

Paska. A sweet dome-shaped bread with raisins. Georgian dough is often spiced with nutmeg and cardamom. Paska is blessed in church together with the eggs.

The greeting. Over Easter, Georgians greet each other with "Kriste aghsdga!" (ქრისტე აღსდგა!), "Christ is risen!". The reply is "Cheshmaritad aghsdga!" (ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!), "Truly He is risen!". Locals are delighted when a visitor says it first.

The Easter table: what Georgians eat

After 48 days of fasting, the Easter morning table is generous. You will almost certainly find:

• Red eggs and paska, blessed in church during the night and eaten first.
• Chakapuli, the signature spring dish: young lamb or veal stewed in white wine with tarragon and sour green plums or tkemali. In spring it is on the menu of almost every Georgian restaurant.
• Cheese and fresh herbs: sulguni, Imeretian cheese, coriander, tarragon, spring onions and radishes.
• Wine, homemade or from Kakheti. The first toast is to the Resurrection.

If you spend Easter in Georgia without a Georgian family, order chakapuli at a restaurant on Sunday afternoon. It is the easiest way to taste the holiday. More dishes in our Georgian food guide.

Where to spend Easter night

Sameba Cathedral, Tbilisi. The country's main Easter service is led by the Patriarch. It is the largest church in Georgia and it is packed on Easter night. The service runs from late Saturday evening to Sunday morning, with "Kriste aghsdga!" at midnight. Arrive early: by midnight the courtyard and surrounding streets are full.

Svetitskhoveli, Mtskheta. The ancient cathedral 25 km from Tbilisi. The night is calmer here than at Sameba, and in the morning you can drive up to Jvari Monastery. During the holiday Mtskheta is easy to see with a guide: our Mtskheta tour starts from ₾98 per person.

Any church in old Tbilisi. Sioni, Anchiskhati and Metekhi each hold their own night service, with fewer people and a more intimate atmosphere. Dress and etiquette rules are the same as on any feast day; see our guide to monasteries in Georgia.

Tips for Easter night

• Clothing. Women need a skirt below the knee and a headscarf; men need long trousers and no hat. Late April nights are cool, around +10 °C, so bring a warm layer.
• Candle. Buy a thin candle at the church shop by the entrance. At midnight the flame is passed from person to person.
• Photos. No flash, and do not push forward for a shot. The procession comes out into the Sameba courtyard, which is the best moment to photograph from outside.
• Belongings. Keep your bag and phone close in the crowd.
• Getting back. After the service, ride-hailing prices rise and cars take a long time to arrive. Arrange a car in advance or stay within walking distance.
• Tours. The May holidays are high season for Georgians too. Book a tour for May 1 or May 3 one to two weeks ahead.

What is open over Easter

On Monday morning, roads leading out of towns towards cemeteries can be busy. If you are heading out of the city, leave early.

May holidays in Georgia

In 2027 Easter opens a whole series of May holidays. If you are planning a trip in early May, keep these dates in mind:

Another May event is the New Wine Festival in Tbilisi, traditionally on the second Saturday of May; in 2027 it is expected on May 8, a week after Easter. In early May Tbilisi is around +20 °C during the day, while there is still snow in the mountains.

Where to go over the Easter weekend

• Mtskheta: Easter morning at Svetitskhoveli and the view of the river confluence from Jvari. Tour from ₾98, half a day.
• Kakheti: Bodbe, Sighnaghi and wineries, with the valley green in spring. Tour from ₾170.
• Kazbegi: in early May there is still snow up high, while the slopes below Gergeti turn green. Tour from ₾175, 12 hours.

Many Georgians spend Sunday with family, so routes are quieter than usual. Longer trips work best on Saturday and Monday, starting early.

For me, Easter is the warmest time of year in Georgia. On Friday families dye eggs with madder, on Saturday evening all of Tbilisi walks to Sameba, and on Monday families visit the cemeteries, which feels like a family day rather than a sad one. I always tell guests not to try to see the whole country in those four days. One night at Sameba and one calm day in Mtskheta give you more than three towns in a row.

Sources

• Labour Code of Georgia, Article 20: public holidays (Matsne)
• Georgian Orthodox Church: official Patriarchate website