Malaga Holy Week 2026 schedule. What’s worth seeing?

Holy Week in Málaga has been designated a festival of international tourist interest. Every year, it attracts thousands of people who come to the city to enjoy the processions and the wider cultural programme. Holy Week in Málaga is also a source of inspiration for many literary and artistic works.

Semana Santa: A unique event and part of Málaga’s identity

Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Málaga is a unique and eagerly awaited festival every year. In 2026, it will be celebrated from 29 March to 5 April. During this week, the city will be filled with processions, music and a deeply emotional atmosphere. The brotherhoods parade through the streets with their floats – true works of art – and the involvement of locals and tourists is palpable. If you have the chance to take part in this event, it is definitely worth it. It is a unique experience that combines tradition, culture and spirituality.

Stop for a moment and take a look at the Holy Week poster – a work by Juan Miguel Martín Mena, created on cotton paper glued to cardboard and combining materials such as coffee, salt, graphite and acrylic to create a rich visual texture. Its geometric structure balances the sacred and the earthly – with the Virgen del Rocío as the central figure in a rising triangle – surrounded by the cathedral tower and the sea horizon.

The colour palette reflects the landscape of Málaga – with shades of earth, ochre and gold, and a red carnation standing out as a symbol of passion and devotion to the brotherhood. The work incorporates symbolic elements such as biznagas in the form of candles and an ethereal image of Christ the Redeemer, linking the Passion with popular faith.

Modernist typography adds dynamism, whilst the silhouette of the cathedral connects heaven and earth, reinforcing spiritual balance. The work celebrates Holy Week and the identity of Málaga, combining tradition and modernity in a message of love, sacrifice and hope.

Schedules and routes for Holy Week in Málaga 2026

Processions not to be missed during Holy Week in Málaga 2026:

Official route for Holy Week in Málaga

Each brotherhood sets off from its headquarters or church and heads towards the official route, which begins at Plaza de la Constitución and includes the following points:

• Marqués de Larios Street,
• Calle Martínez, Central Market – Atarazanas and Torregorda,
• Alameda Principal,
• Plaza de la Marina,
• Torre Sur (South Tower).

The route ends on Molina Lario Street, next to the Bishop’s Palace at the foot of the cathedral. To avoid the crowds, it is worth looking out for the processions on the streets at the key points listed above, or checking the website malaguer for the exact route that a specific brotherhood will be taking.

Palm Sunday (29 March)

Brotherhoods scheduled to take part: La Pollinica, Lágrimas y Favores, Dulce Nombre, Salutación, Humildad y Paciencia, Humildad, Salud, Huerto and Prendimiento.

Tip for visitors: make sure you have palm branches and olive twigs so that at midday you can see La Pollinica – the first brotherhood to appear during Easter in Málaga at the Tribuna Principal at 12.00. The last brotherhood will be Prendimiento at 21.00.

Holy Monday (30 March)

Brotherhoods scheduled to participate: Pasión, Crucifixión, Gitanos, Dolores del Puente, el Cautivo and los Estudiantes.

The first brotherhood to appear on the Tribuna Principal will be Pasión – at 5.35 pm, and the last to take part in the procession that day will be the Los Estudiantes brotherhood, appearing in the Plaza de la Constitución and on the Tribuna Principal at 9.40 pm.

Tip for visitors: watch as Málaga’s ruler, El Cautivo, crosses the Aurora Bridge. It looks as though he is walking on foot.

Holy Tuesday (31 March)

Brotherhoods scheduled to participate: El Rocío, Las Penas, Nueva Esperanza, Humillación y Estrella, Rescate and La Sentencia.

The brotherhoods will begin arriving from 5.40 pm in this order, with the El Rocío congregation leading the procession.

Tip for visitors: admire the spectacular floral mantle worn by the Virgen de las Penas.

Holy Wednesday (1 April)

Scheduled participating brotherhoods: Fusionadas, Mediadora, Salesianos Sangre, Rico, Paloma, and la Expiración.

The brotherhoods begin their procession on this day at 6.00 pm (arrival time at the Main Stand). The last brotherhood will reach the South Tower of Málaga Cathedral at around 1.15 am.

Tip for visitors: watch the sunrise during the bull run at Cristo de la Expiración.

Holy Thursday (2 April)

Brotherhoods scheduled to participate: La Cena, Santa Cruz, Viñeros, Vera Cruz, Mena, Zamarrilla, Misericordia and La Esperanza.

La Cena will be the brotherhood leading the procession on this day at 5.40 pm, and the brotherhood bringing up the rear will be La Esperanza, which will begin its procession at 11.10 pm – thus reaching the Cathedral at around 1.25 am.

Tip for visitors: don’t miss the departure of the legion carrying Christ from Mena, one of the most famous Holy Week processions in Málaga.

Good Friday (3 April)

Brotherhoods scheduled to take part: El Calvario, El Descendimiento, Amor, Dolores de San Juan, Traslado, Piedad and El Sepulcro.

The brotherhood leading the procession will be El Calvario, which will appear at the Tribuna Principal at 6.40 pm, and the brotherhood bringing up the rear will be El Sepulcro, which will not appear until around 10.40 pm.

Tip for visitors: watch the Servitas brotherhood as they process in the dark at any point along their route – it will leave you speechless.

Easter Sunday (5 April)

Get ready for the final procession through the streets of Málaga: El Resucitado. It will begin at the Church of San Julián at 10.00 am and end at 3.15 pm.

Malaga Legion Procession 2026

One of the most iconic moments of Holy Week in Malaga takes place on Maundy Thursday, with the Legion carrying the Cristo de la Buena Muerte y Ánimas (Christ of the Good Death and Souls).

The events will begin on Thursday, 2 April, with the Legionnaires disembarking at the port of Málaga at around 10:00. The parade will feature the Spanish Legion and the Navy, accompanied by soldiers, a brass band and a bugle call.

Half an hour after disembarking at Muelle 2, the Legion forces arrive at Plaza Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás at around 10.30 am. They then carry the Santísimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte y Ánimas from the square to the processional throne in the Church of Santo Domingo. In some sections, the soldiers carry the Christ of Mena on their shoulders.

With the Christ of Mena in their arms, the legionnaires sing ‘El novio de la muerte’ – a military hymn which proclaims: ‘I am a man whom fate has wounded with the claw of a wild beast: I am the bridegroom of death, who will unite in a strong bond with such a faithful companion’.

At this moment, the crowd is moved to tears and bursts into applause.

What is worth doing during a visit to Málaga during Holy Week?

• Take part in the processions: Holy Week in Málaga is famous for its impressive processions, during which the brotherhoods parade through the streets with their floats. Don’t miss the procession of Cristo de la Buena Muerte (Christ of the Good Death) on Maundy Thursday or Santo Sepulcro (Holy Sepulchre) on Good Friday.
• Enjoy the local cuisine: At this time of year in Málaga, you simply must try traditional dishes such as Easter stew or torrijas (French toast). You can also sample the famous ‘tapa cofrade’, which is served in many bars and restaurants across the city.
• Visit museums and landmarks: Make the most of your free time to explore the city’s main landmarks, such as the Alcazaba or Málaga Cathedral. You can also visit the many museums the city has to offer – such as the Picasso Museum or the Centre Pompidou Málaga.
• Explore nearby towns: If you have time, it’s worth taking the opportunity to visit the picturesque towns near Málaga – such as Ronda, Frigiliana or Mijas. Each has its own unique charm and will allow you to experience the local culture and traditions.
• Discover Málaga and its surroundings with local guides: In groups or privately, where you’ll always set the pace as you explore, discovering the beauty of Málaga.