Easter on the Costa Blanca - Semana Santa and processions

Between Dénia and Pilar de la Horadada, processions pass through historic centres during Holy Week. Brotherhoods, baroque sculptures and local rituals characterise one of the most important religious traditions in the province of Alicante.

When drums echo through the old town centres

In the old town of Dénia In the early evening, dusk slowly descends over the alleyways. Members of a brotherhood gather in front of a church, candles are lit and drums beat out a calm rhythm. A little later, the procession sets off. A religious sculpture depicting a scene from the Passion of Christ is carried on a large platform, accompanied by musicians and participants in long robes.

Pictures like this are part of springtime all along the coast. From Jávea and Moraira via Calpe, Altea and Benidorm to Villajoyosa, Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la Horadada, Semana Santa, the Holy Week before Easter, characterises the life of many towns.

In 2026, Semana Santa will take place from 29 March to 5 April. The celebration commemorates the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is one of the most important religious festivals in Spain.

Brotherhoods as carriers of tradition

The organisation of the processions is in the hands of the cofradías, the traditional brotherhoods. In the province of Alicante, more than 60,000 people are involved in these associations, which prepare religious celebrations, restore statues and coordinate the processions.

Many of these brotherhoods have existed for centuries. Historical sources document processions in Alicante as early as 1600, and in many towns entire families have belonged to the same cofradía for generations.

The central element of Holy Week is the processions through the historic town centres. Large platforms - known as pasos - are carried through the streets. On them are religious sculptures depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, often from the Spanish Baroque period.

The parades are accompanied by brass bands, drummers and participants in traditional robes with hoods, the so-called Nazarenos.

In the city of Alicante alone, 28 processions parade through the streets during Holy Week. They are organised by 27 brotherhoods, each with their own figures, vestments and procession carriages.

Different traditions along the coast

Although the religious basis is the same everywhere, each town along the Costa Blanca has developed its own form of Holy Week.

Elche - Palm Sunday with white palm branches

Palm Sunday in Elche is one of the most famous Easter traditions in Spain. Thousands of participants carry elaborately woven white palm leaves made in the town's palm grove.

The procession begins on Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026, and passes through the historic centre around the Basilica of Santa María. Around 70,000 people accompany this procession every year. The celebration is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional.

Orihuela - baroque figures and historical rituals

The processions in Orihuela are among the most important in the region. More than 8,000 participants and over 1,000 musicians take part in large processions.

The „Procesión del Santo Entierro“ on Good Friday, 3 April 2026, during which religious sculptures from the 18th century are carried through the old town, is particularly impressive. Many of the figures come from the workshop of the baroque sculptor Francisco Salzillo.

A unique ritual is the appearance of the Caballero Cubierto, who carries the city banner - a privilege that dates back to papal documents from the 17th century. The night before, on Maundy Thursday, 2 April 2026, the „Procesión del Silencio“ parades through the streets with virtually no musical accompaniment.

Crevillente - Good Friday with a long tradition

Crevillente also has one of the most famous Good Friday processions in the region. Its origins date back to the 18th century.