Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter 2024 in Madrid

Madrid, the dynamic metropolis of Spain, comes to life with a tapestry of religious and cultural celebrations throughout Holy Week and Easter holidays. This vibrant metropolis provides a great viewpoint on one of Christianity's most important get-togethers, with everything you could think of: from joyous celebrations commemorating the resurrection to mournful processions circling through ancient streets. Come explore the core of Madrid's Easter and Holy Week customs, where age-old customs coexist peacefully with contemporary zeal to create a truly unique experience for both locals and tourists.

Madrid Holy Week celebrations

From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, thousands of guests come to Madrid to take part in various processions and festivities. This is a special season in the city celebrating the most important holiday in the Christian calendar. Prepare to see the scenes of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, performed by the members of the Catholic brotherhoods. Even if you're not too religious, these Easter processions can be very impressive. Additionally, you can visit concerts of church music, held across Madrid cathedrals. The best spots for this goal are Basílica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel, and Parish Church of Santa Cruz. These churches often features religious music, and Easter is no exception.

Holy Week processions

The most important processions on Palm Sunday and the Holy Wednesday are called the "Pasos" of Cristo de la Fe and El Perdon and Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salud. On Good Friday, Easter parades are held all around the city. The most famous is the Cristo de Medinaceli, which starts at the parish of Jesús de Medinaceli and runs through major streets of the city. Other famous processions on Friday include the Alabarderos and Jesús Nazareno 'el Pobre, as well as the silent procession. All of them are dedicated to the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday

At the end of Holy Week, on Easter Sunday, Aragon Tamborrada is held at Plaza Mayor—the members of the brotherhoods fill the streets of Madrid with a drumbeat in honor of the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ. This procession is perhaps the most massive event observed during the holiday.

Easter food

Torrija is an obligatory Madrid Easter dish. It's a sweet toast, soaked in milk with cinnamon and sugar. Among the typical fish dishes are Soldaditos de Pavía (slices of cod with a crispy crust), roast turkey peas (with spinach, cod, potatoes, and boiled eggs), and croquettes from cod.