Planning for the smell of incense and the sound of muffled drums? You’re not alone. Honestly, if you’re looking at Semana Santa 2026, the first thing you’ll notice is that the calendar feels a bit "off" compared to the last few years. It’s coming for us sooner than we think.
In 2026, Semana Santa officially begins on March 29 and runs through April 5.
If you've ever wondered why Easter moves around like a nomad, it’s basically down to the moon. Back in 325 AD, some folks at the Council of Nicaea decided Easter should fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. That's why one year we’re wearing heavy coats in March and the next we’re in short sleeves in late April.
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The 2026 Holy Week Schedule
If you're booking flights or trying to snag a hotel balcony in Seville, you need the hard dates. No guessing allowed.
- Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos): March 29 – This is when the streets fill with palm branches and the first major processions kick off.
- Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo): April 2 – In many parts of Spain and Mexico, this is a massive public holiday.
- Good Friday (Viernes Santo): April 3 – Expect almost everything to be closed. It’s the most solemn day of the year.
- Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección): April 5 – The mood flips from mourning to a massive celebration.
Why the "Early" Date Matters for Travelers
Going in late March versus mid-April changes the vibe entirely. In Andalusia, the orange blossoms (azahar) will be just starting to pop, making the air smell incredible. But it also means the weather is a gamble. You might get a week of perfect 22°C sunshine, or you might get those sudden spring downpours that force the brotherhoods to keep their million-dollar statues inside the churches.
If you’re heading to the Philippines for Mahal na Araw, March is the heart of the dry season. It’s going to be hot. Like, "don't-leave-your-hotel-without-three-liters-of-water" hot.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Holidays
Most tourists assume that because it’s "Holy Week," the whole week is a bank holiday. It’s not.
In Spain, for example, the "red days" (national holidays) are usually just Good Friday. However, most regions—except for places like Catalonia and Valencia—also treat Maundy Thursday (April 2) as a day off. This creates what locals call a puente or a bridge. If you're trying to do paperwork or visit a bank in Madrid on Friday, April 3, 2026? Forget about it.
The "Madrugá" in Seville
If you are in Seville, the night between Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, is the big one. It’s called the Madrugá. People stay up all night. You’ll see the Macarena and the Esperanza de Triana moving through the streets at 4:00 AM. It is crowded. It is loud. And it is arguably one of the most intense cultural experiences on the planet.
Where to Go for the Best Experience
Every city has a different "flavor" for Semana Santa 2026.
- Seville & Malaga: These are the heavyweights. Expect massive "pasos" (floats), "nazarenos" in pointed hoods, and "saetas" (flamenco-style prayers) sung from balconies.
- Castile and León (Zamora/Valladolid): If the Andalusian style feels too much like a party, go north. The processions here are silent, dark, and incredibly eerie. The only sound is the dragging of chains or a single trumpet.
- Antigua, Guatemala: Famous for the "alfombras"—huge, intricate rugs made of colored sawdust and flowers laid out on the streets, only to be destroyed by the procession minutes later.
- Mexico (Iztapalapa): They do a massive passion play. It’s less about floats and more about thousands of people acting out the stations of the cross.
Essential 2026 Logistics
Public Transport:
In Spain, Renfe (the train system) usually adds extra seats, but they sell out months in advance. For April 2026, I’d start looking at tickets by January.
Food Rituals:
You can't do Semana Santa without eating torrijas. It’s basically the Spanish version of French toast, but soaked in honey or spiced wine. Every bakery will have them. Also, keep an eye out for potaje de vigilia—a chickpea and cod stew that’s traditional because of the "no meat on Friday" rule.
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Dress Code:
You don't have to wear a suit, but don't show up to a procession in flip-flops and a tank top. It’s considered pretty disrespectful. Most locals dress up, especially on Maundy Thursday.
What to Do Next
If you’re serious about being there for Semana Santa 2026, your window for "affordable" accommodation is closing faster than you think.
- Check your specific region's calendar: If you're going to Barcelona, remember that Easter Monday (April 6) is the big holiday there, while the rest of Spain might be back at work.
- Book the "Big Days" first: Focus on April 2–5.
- Monitor the lunar cycle: If you're a photographer, the full moon will be at its peak around April 1, which makes for some legendary shots of the statues against the night sky.
Start looking at flight prices now, particularly for flights into Seville (SVQ) or Malaga (AGP), as these routes see the highest surges for the March-April period.