News
Processions, tradition and sunshine: this is what Semana Santa in Madrid will be like
Madrid is getting ready for a Semana Santa in 2026 marked by good weather, a key factor for the processions to move smoothly through the centre and the neighbourhoods. The forecast of clear skies encourages locals and visitors to take to the streets for one of the most heartfelt events on the calendar.
After the first processions, the pace intensifies with the arrival of the Easter Triduum. On Maundy Thursday, processions such as that of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno “El Pobre” will set out from the church of San Pedro el Viejo and pass through places such as Plaza de la Villa and Almudena Cathedral. That same day, the routes of El Divino Cautivo and Gran Poder with Esperanza Macarena also stand out, passing through key points such as Puerta del Sol.
Good Friday will bring together some of the most eagerly awaited moments. Processions such as that of Jesús Nazareno de Medinaceli and that of the Seven Sorrows will fill the centre with solemn reflection, with saetas in emblematic places. They will be joined by other events such as the Holy Burial and the Procession of Silence, which will extend activity to different neighbourhoods.
Holy Saturday will maintain the momentum with the procession of Soledad y Desamparo, while the closing will arrive on Easter Sunday with the traditional drum procession in Plaza Mayor, one of the week’s most symbolic moments.
During these days, the city adapts its rhythm: traffic closures, changes to transport and crowded streets form part of the landscape. Holy Week transforms Madrid into a setting where tradition, culture and urban life coexist, offering a different way to travel through and understand the city.