Holy Week in Madrid: what you need to know
holy week celebrations in madrid

The processions, the torrijas and the drums announce the arrival of Holy Week to Madrid. The churches and basilicas receive concerts of sacred music, the confraternities take the street with the litters, and the restaurants and pastries add to their menus typical dishes of this commemorative date.

Get to know our suggestions to enjoy the best of the Spanish capital during this period of celebration that takes place between the 25th of March and the 1st of April. The experience will be unique and the fun guaranteed.

Official celebrations

  • Procession of Christ of Medinaceli: It is the most famous procession in Madrid and takes place on the Holy Friday. It begins at the basilica Nuestro Padre Jesús de Medinaceli at 7:00 p.m., and runs along the main streets of the city center. Thousands of spectators gather annually to this procession and watch the emotion with which the madrilenos carry the so-called pasos – structures that support the religious figures.
  • Tamborrada: The closing of the festivities of Holy Week in Madrid is performed by dozens of people dressed in purple, announcing the resurrection of Jesus to the sound of drums. The procession begins in the Plaza Mayor, on Easter Sunday, at noon, and passes through emblematic places of the city such as Corpus Christie Monastery and Calle Mayor.

Gastronomy

  • Potaje: By the time of Easter, many Catholics opt for the fast of meat and the fish becomes essential in the typical dishes of the time. The potaje is the favorite of the Madrilenians, as a substitute of the traditional cooked during the period of Lent. It is prepared with chickpeas, accompanied by spinach, cod, potatoes and egg.
  • Torrijas: It is a sweet made with bread moistened in milk and cinnamon, fried and sprinkled with sugar. It is one of the typical desserts of Holy Week in Madrid and can be found in any pastry or restaurant.

Places to visit

  • Religious spaces: On these holidays, the dozens of churches and cathedrals of the Spanish capital become places of obligatory visit, either for its characteristic adornments or for the spectacles of sacred music. Among the most renowned are the Cathedral of La Almudena, the Royal Basilica of San Francisco El Grande – known for its impressive dome – and the churches San Jerónimo El Real and San Antonio de los Alemanes.

Entertainment

  • Concerts: At this year’s Holy Week, in Madrid, you can also attend various concerts of different musical styles, in addition to the choir and classical orchestras. For jazz lovers, the Café Central is a landmark of the city, providing new concerts every week. See the program here. If you prefer rock music, opt for Costello Club.
  • Thematic Attractions: Traveling at Easter time doesn´t need to have a religious character. Enjoy the array of activities that Madrid’s cultural centers offer – workshops, shows and magical cycles – to entertain the youngest. Likewise, other venues, such as the Parque de Atracciones in Madrid and Warner Park, carry out themed activities to mark the date and represent a great way to have fun with your family.