Discover Holy Week in Alhaurín el Grande

Holy Week in Alhaurín el Grande has been designated an Event of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia; the town’s main festival has a unique character, not only because of the impressive live re-enactments of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ – which are a hallmark of a town that throws itself wholeheartedly into its folklore – but also because of its majestic processions.

Whether for its connection to local cuisine or the festival as a whole, Holy Week in Alhaurín el Grande is, above all, a distinctive celebration experienced with unrivalled intensity.

Its live re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus and its friendly, welcoming atmosphere within the religious brotherhoods have made the town an unmissable destination for thousands of visitors from all corners of Spain.

To experience this tradition more closely, you can search for our accommodation in the town by clicking here: CUBO’S HOLIDAY HOMES

Palm Sunday, 24 March

• 11.30 am
  • At the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
    • Mass and blessing of the palm branches

Holy Tuesday, 26 March

• 9.00 pm
  • At the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
    • Way of the Cross

Holy Wednesday, 27 March

• 11.00 am
  • At the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
    • Chrism Mass at the Cathedral
• 9.00 pm
  • In the cloister of the Convent.
    • Live dramatisation of the following biblical passages: The Sacrifice of Isaac; The Parting of Mother and Son; The Stoning of the Adulteress; The Thirty Pieces of Silver; The Last Supper; The Agony in the Garden and The Arrest.

Maundy Thursday, 28 March

• 11.00 am
  • At the Chapel of the Holy True Cross
    • Lighting of candles at the throne of Our Lady of Solitude.
• 12.00
  • At the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation
    • Mass of the Lord’s Supper
• 4.45 pm
  • Entrance into the town by the Band of Bugles and Drums from the ‘Duque de Ahumada’ College of Young Guards in Valdemoro (Madrid), Honorary Senior Member of the Brotherhood.
• 5.00 pm
  • At the Chapel of the Holy True Cross
    • Marian act of veneration in honour of Our Lady of Solitude, in preparation for the procession.
• 6.00 pm
  • Procession of Our Lady of Solitude. From the Chapel of the Holy True Cross, following this route: Convento, Plaza Alta, Cruz, Real, San Sebastián, Molinos de Abajo, Piedras, Convento and back to the Chapel.
  • The procession will be accompanied by music from the ‘Duque de Ahumada’ College of Young Guards, as well as by our Brotherhood’s musical groups, and various scenes from the Bible and the Passion of Christ will be re-enacted.
  • The Romans, Judas and Caiaphas, together with Benjamin and Annas, lead the procession, which depicts Jesus’s journey in chains to the Sanhedrin and the torments and humiliations he had to endure. Accompanying Jesus are his Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene and his young disciple John, as well as the Holy Women.

• 9.15 pm
  • At the Chapel of San Sebastián
    • Arrival and reception of the National Police Force, an Honorary Member of the Royal Brotherhood, to accompany the procession of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth.
• 9.30 pm
  • Live re-enactment in Plaza Nueva of scenes from The Passion: Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, St Peter’s denials, Jesus’ trial before Pilate (Part I) and Herod’s scorn.
• 10.15 pm
  • Processional departure of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth, dressed as the Captive and accompanied by the Royal Brotherhood’s bands of bugles, drums and music. During the procession, there will be a live re-enactment of the ‘Paso de Jesús Cautivo’. Route: Calle Nueva, Callejoncillo, Plaza Alta, Cruz, Real, San Sebastián and back to the Chapel.

Good Friday, 29 March

• 12.00
  • Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.
• 5.30 pm
  • Live re-enactment in Plaza Nueva of scenes from The Passion: Jesus’ Trial before Pilate (Part II), The Flagellation, The Sentence of Death and The Carrying of the Cross.
• 6.15 pm
  • Processional departure of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth and Our Lady of Sorrows, accompanied by the two bugle and drum bands and the Royal Brotherhood’s marching band. The procession will feature the Venerable Relic of the Holy Lignum Crucis and of Mount Calvary belonging to the Royal Brotherhood. Route: San Sebastián, Real, Cruz, Plaza Alta, Callejoncillo, Calvario, Nueva and its chapel.
  • During the procession, the following scenes will be re-enacted live: Jesus carrying the Cross on his way to Calvary, the Encounter with Simon of Cyrene, the First Fall, the Encounter with the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, the Encounter with Veronica and the Women of Jerusalem, the Second Fall, the Third Fall and the Arrival at Golgotha. Upon the arrival of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth and Our Lady of Sorrows at the former barracks on Calle Nueva, the traditional ‘Encounter’ between our Sacred Figures will take place.
• 9.15 pm
  • Live re-enactment of Judas’s repentance, the Crucifixion, Death, Descent from the Cross and Burial of Christ in the Plaza del Convento
• 10.45 pm
  • Solemn procession of the Holy Burial of Christ. Official Holy Week procession of Alhaurín el Grande. Following the usual route: Convento, Plaza Alta, Cruz, Real, San Sebastián, Molinos de Abajo, Piedras, Convento and on to its Chapel. Characters from the Live Passion will take part.

Holy Saturday, 30 March

• 12.00
  • Condolences to the Virgin Mary at the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.
• 9.00 pm
  • Solemn Easter Vigil at the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.
• 11.00 pm
  • In the courtyard of the Convent: re-enactment of the Resurrection of Christ.
  • In Plaza Nueva, a live re-enactment of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday, 31 March

• 12:00 
  • At the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación.
    • Solemn Mass on Easter Sunday
• 1.00 pm
  • Procession of Our Father, the Risen Christ: the Official Holy Week Procession of Alhaurín el Grande, starting from the Chapel of San Sebastián. Route: San Sebastián, Plaza Baja, Cilla, Cruz, Real, San Sebastián and its Chapel.

Would you like to experience Holy Week in Alhaurín el Grande up close? Book one of our accommodation options and don’t miss a thing!