Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Malaga is a significant cultural event, one of the most vibrant religious celebrations in Spain. In 2025, it will take place from April 13th to April 20th, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world to witness the grandeur of the processions that wind through the historic streets of this Andalusian city.
What is Semana Santa?
Semana Santa in Malaga is a deeply spiritual and artistic event. It is marked by processions of tronos (religious thrones) carried through the streets, accompanied by thousands of members of different brotherhoods (cofradías), who walk in solemnity, dressed in their traditional robes. These processions represent the Passion of Christ and are a powerful display of devotion, tradition, and religious significance.
Each day of Semana Santa in Malaga features different brotherhoods and their revered images. Here’s a breakdown of the key processions you can expect:
Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025)
- La Pollinica: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and Our Lady of Amparo.
- Fusionadas: Holy Christ of Souls of the Blind and Our Lady of Greater Sorrow.
- Dulce Nombre: Our Father Jesus of the Sweet Name and Our Lady of the Incarnation.
Holy Monday (April 14, 2025)
- Crucifixion: Holy Christ of the Crucifixion and Our Lady of Greater Sorrow in her Solitude.
- Passion: Our Father Jesus of the Passion and Our Lady of Dolorous Love.
- Gitanos: Our Father Jesus of the Column and Our Lady of the O.
Holy Tuesday (April 15, 2025)
- Rocío: Our Father Jesus Nazarene of the Steps on Mount Calvary and Our Lady of Rocio.
- Penas: Our Father Jesus of Agony and Our Lady of Sorrows.
- Nueva Esperanza: Our Father Jesus Nazarene of Forgiveness and Our Lady of New Hope.
Holy Wednesday (April 16, 2025)
- Mediadora: Our Father Jesus Nazarene Redeemer of the World and Our Lady Mediator of Salvation.
- Salesianos: Our Father Jesus of Redemption and Our Lady of Help.
Maundy Thursday (April 17, 2025)
- Málaga’s Spanish Legion: One of the most striking moments of the week is the Cristo de la Buena Muerte procession, where members of the Spanish Legion carry the image of Christ with great solemnity, making it one of the most powerful and emotional processions of the week.
- Virgen de los Dolores: The procession of the Virgen de los Dolores is another highlight, with devotees following in reverence and joining in the display of mourning and reflection.
Good Friday (April 18, 2025)
- Santo Entierro: The Santo Entierro procession is a central event, depicting the burial of Christ. It is one of the largest and most widely attended processions, with large crowds gathering to witness this solemn ritual.
- Cristo de la Expiración: The procession of the Cristo de la Expiración features the image of Christ at the moment of his death, and its route through the city is one of the most evocative, drawing the deepest emotional responses from the crowd.
Holy Saturday (April 19, 2025)
Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and reflection, marking the time when Christ lay in the tomb. Unlike the other days of Semana Santa, there are no major processions in Málaga on this day. Instead, churches hold solemn vigils, and many people take the opportunity for quiet prayer before the celebrations of Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025)
- La Resurrección: The final procession of Semana Santa, La Resurrección, marks the conclusion of the celebrations, focusing on the joyful occasion of Christ’s resurrection. It’s a moment of renewal, both religiously and spiritually, as the city celebrates the triumph of life over death.
Public holidays
In Andalucía, both Maundy Thursday (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18) are public holidays. This allows residents and visitors ample opportunity to participate in and witness the processions.
Official route in Malaga for Semana Santa processions
The processions typically follow this route:
- Plaza de la Constitución
- Calle Larios
- Calle Martínez (Central Market – Atarazanas and Torregorda)
- Alameda Principal
- Plaza de la Marina
- Calle Molina Lario (adjacent to the Cathedral)
The official programme will follow as soon as it’s published.
