What is Semana Santa?

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week before Easter (pascua), celebrated widely in Spain.

You may have noticed if you’re lucky enough to be in Benidorm right now, that suddenly the place is buzzing. We spring in ‘Primavera‘ and suddenly Benidorm comes back alive.

The week is celebrated with processions and family fun. The Spanish use Semana Santa as escapism from the normal routine.

A tradition is to get outdoors. Go camping. Take advantage of the sunshine. Walk along the beachfront. The flowers are blooming, the weather is improving and Spring is certainly in town.

Usually, floats, marching bands and the nazarenos march the streets. One of the most distinctive features of the procession is the nazarenos. They wear dark cloaks and cone-shaped hats, and although they resemble an infamous group, they have absolutely nothing to do with them.

If you’d like to take a look at this video, you can see the Benidorm Semana Santa parade from 2015.

Another tradition is during Holy Week, many of the Spanish will decorate and eat chocolate eggs. These are known as ‘la mona de pascua’. 

What’s on in Benidorm?

In Benidorm, on Friday 30 March, at the Julio Iglesias auditorium, there is a musical theatre family show! Tickets are available online by clicking this link. Gates open at 19:00 and the show will begin at 20:00. It promises to be a great show about a lost explorer following his journey to Peru!

Are there any Parades?

Of course! There are plenty of activities planned for you to enjoy the Semana Santa in Benidorm. These processions are always so fantastic to watch, even if you are not religious yourself. The processions are an important part of the Catholic religion.

28 of March: Miércoles Santo (Saint Wednesday)

22:00 – Procession of the Brotherhood Ntro. Father Jesus Nazareno

“Procesión de la Cofradía Ntro. Padre Jesús Nazareno”

This is at Parroquia el Buen Pastor.

29 of March: Jueves Santo (Saint Thursday)

21:00: Procession of the Sacramental Brotherhood of Santa Cena and the good death

Procesión de la Hermandad Sacramental del Santa Cena y la Cofradía del Crsito del Perdón y la Buena Muerte.

This is at Parroquia Ntra. Sra. De la Almudena

21:00: Procession of the Brotherhood of the Prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Procesión de la Cofradía de la Oración de Jesús en el Huerto de Getsemaní

This is at Parroquia San Juan Bautista (The Church next to Seven Stars near Hotel Bali)

30 of March: Viernes Santo (Saint Friday)

20:30: General Procession of the Holy Burial

Procesión General del Santo Entierro

This is at Parroquia de San Jaime y Santa Ana (The Old Town Church)

1 of April: Domingo de Resurección (Resurrecion Sunday)

08:00: Procession of the Meeting and the Embassy

Procesión del Encuentro y la Embajada

This is at Parroquia de San Jaime y Santa Ana. (The church in the old town!)

Happy Easter and Holy Week to all those celebrating. 

Hasta luego,