Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Nerja is a deeply rooted religious and cultural event, marked by solemn processions and community gatherings. In 2026, Holy Week will be observed from Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday) to Sunday, April 5 (Easter Sunday).
These are the main events/ processions; for smaller events, please see the brochures below.
MONDAY 30th - PASOS DE LA PUEBLA DE NERJA - Representation of the Passion (Manuscript from 1841)
Date: Monday 30th March 2026
Time: 17:30
Place: Plaza Balcón de Europa, Nerja
The Passos of the Town of Nerja are a theatrical representation of Holy Week, based on a text composed in the early decades of the 19th century by Dr. Antonio Peláez García (1754–1822), priest and canon of Málaga Cathedral.
Of these passos, the manuscript copied in 1841 by Federico Sánchez Gálvez (1828–1895) has been preserved. It is now part of the Historical Collection of the State Public Library–Provincial Library of Málaga.
The transcription and study have been carried out by historian Francisco Capilla Luque and published by the Nerja Town Hall (Department of Culture).
These passos were performed in Nerja in the street next to El Salvador Church until 1851 and were revived in 2025.
Content of the Performance
In The Passos of the Town of Nerja, a series of episodes from the Passion of Christ are presented, narrated by an official with the participation of several characters, including:
The comforting angel in the Garden of Gethsemane
Pilate
The servant girl of Pilate
Veronica
Mary Magdalene
And others
The dramaturgy, direction, and staging are by Damián Bueno, using simple costumes and minimal props.
The music is performed by students of the Municipal School of Music and Dance of Nerja, the Nerja Municipal Band, and the Alminares Chamber Choir.
The composition is by Fernando J. Laguna Bermúdez, who will also direct and accompany on keyboard.
The performance will also feature the Nerja Band of Music and the saeta singer Justa Martín.
WEDNESDAY 1st - PROCESSION OF OUR FATHER JESUS CAPTIVE AND MARY OF THE HELPLESS
• 18:00 – Plaza de España:
Reception of the Legionnaire Knights and tribute to the Flag.
• 19:00 – Procession departure:
From El Salvador Church, passing through Balcón de Europa, Puerta del Mar and Calle Pintada.
• 20:00 – Monolith of the Nerja Caves (corner of Calle Cruz)
Continuing through Calle Cervantes, Calle América and Calle San Miguel.
• 21:30 – Plaza de la Ermita
Route continues along Calle Granada, Plaza Cavana and Calle Carmen.
• 23:30 – Balcón de Europa:
Return of the procession (encierro).
Musical accompaniment:
Leading the procession: The Sapper Squad, standard bearers and the Band of the Brotherhood of Former Legionnaires of Torremolinos.
Behind Christ: Musical Group Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Torrenueva).
Behind the Virgin: Nerja Municipal Band.
THURSDAY 2nd – MAUNDY THURSDAY- PROCESSION OF OUR FATHER JESUS OF NAZARETH AND MARY OF HOPE
• 20:00 – Departure from the Brotherhood House (Casa Hermandad) on Calle Puente Viejo
Route continues through:
Calle Carretera → Plaza de la Ermita → Calle Granada → Plaza Cavana → Calle Carmen
• 21:00 – Balcón de Europa Promenade:
Saeta (traditional flamenco-style devotional song)
• Calle Puerta del Mar → Calle Pintada
Saetas at Kronox and at the corner of Calle La Cruz
• 23:00 – Plaza Cantarero
• 23:15 – Collection of the Cruz de las Ánimas at San Miguel Cemetery
• Calle Méndez Núñez
Saeta
Musical accompaniment:
Behind Jesus: Nerja Municipal Band
Behind the Virgin: “San Juan Bautista” Band from Nigüelas-Lecrín (Granada)
Route continues through:
Calle Bronce → Calle Angustias → Plaza de la Ermita → Calle San Isidro → Calle Ingenio
• 00:30 – Return (encierro) at the Brotherhood House
FRIDAY 3rd - GOOD FRIDAY- PROCESSION OF THE HOLY BURIAL AND MARY OF SORROWS
• 20:00 – Departure from the Brotherhood House (Casa Hermandad)
Route continues through:
Calle Carretera → Plaza de la Ermita → Calle Granada → Plaza Cavana → Calle Carmen
• 21:00 – Balcón de Europa Promenade:
Saeta (traditional flamenco-style devotional song)
• Calle Puerta del Mar → Calle Pintada
Saetas
• 23:00 – Plaza Cantarero
• Calle Méndez Núñez
Saeta
Route continues through:
Calle Bronce → Calle Angustias → Plaza de la Ermita → Calle San Isidro → Calle Ingenio
• 00:30 – Return (encierro) at the Brotherhood House
Musical accompaniment:
Behind Christ: Musical Group “Virgen del Carmen” (Torrenueva Costa, Granada)
Behind the Virgin: Nerja Municipal Band
SUNDAY 5th – EASTER SUNDAY- PROCESSION OF THE RISEN CHRIST, MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION AND THE HOLY GLORIOUS CROSS
• 12:00 – El Salvador Church (start of the procession)
Route:
Balcón de Europa → Puerta del Mar → Calle Pintada → Calle Arropieros → Calle Huertos
• Calle Frigiliana
• 13:00 – Calle Carretas
• 13:30 – Calle Alfonso XII → Calle Bronce
• 14:00 – Calle Nueva
• Calle Pintada
• 15:00 – Balcón de Europa Promenade:
Return of the procession (encierro) at El Salvador Church
Musical accompaniment:
Castanet Academy of Dani Romero at Balcón de Europa (by the arches)
Musical Group “Virgen del Carmen” (Torrenueva, Granada)
Cornet and Drum Band “María Santísima de las Penas” (Úbeda, Jaén)
Nerja Municipal Band
The Nerja Municipal Band performs two pieces by local composer José Fernández:
Al Cristo Resucitado (premiered April 8, 2012 – Easter Sunday)
María Santísima de la Asunción (premiered March 27, 2022 at El Salvador Church).
Please see all other events in the brochures below.
