-
play_arrow
Chilli FM The Hottest Sound on the Coast
Semana Santa 2026 in Marbella: Your Complete Guide
It starts this Saturday. From the 28th of March through to Easter Sunday on the 5th of April, Semana Santa transforms the streets of Marbella, San Pedro Alcántara and Nueva Andalucía into something genuinely extraordinary. Eleven brotherhoods and cofradías take to the streets across the municipality, carrying sacred figures through neighbourhoods they have called home for generations.
Whether you’re in the old town, out in San Pedro or up in Nueva Andalucía, this guide has everything you need. All times, routes and highlights are taken directly from the official programme at semanasanta.marbella.es, which is available in English and includes live GPS tracking of every procession. Bookmark it before you go out.
A Quick Bit of Background
Each procession is organised by a cofradía or hermandad — a brotherhood, some of which have existed for centuries. The enormous decorated floats called tronos are carried by costaleros hidden beneath, bearing the full weight on their shoulders, guided only by the tap of a small hammer.
Three things to watch for along the routes. A saeta — a spontaneous flamenco lament sung from a balcony, at which point the entire procession stops and the crowd falls completely silent. A petalada — a shower of flower petals over the float. And an encuentro — the deeply moving formal meeting of two floats at the close of a procession.
Saturday 28th March — Passion Saturday
🏛️ Marbella Old Town (6:00pm)
Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Humildad, Nuestra Señora de la Amargura y San Antonio de Padua 6:00pm — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Tribune venia: 9:00pm on Calle Arte
The week opens with two thrones. Nuestra Señora de la Amargura (peacock blue tunics, white hoods, 110 carriers) and Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Humildad, accompanied by the Cruz Guía Band and the Lágrimas de Campillos Bugle and Drum Band, with the Municipal Music Band behind the Virgin’s throne.
The route winds from the church along Carmen, Plaza General Chinchilla, Plaza de los Naranjos, Plaza de la Victoria and Huerta Chica before heading back through Ancha, San Francisco and the narrow streets of Postigo, Portada, Arte, Salinas and Trinidad.
Don’t miss: a petalada on Calle San Francisco as it passes through the Leganitos neighbourhood, and the encierro back at the Plaza de la Iglesia.
Sunday 29th March — Palm Sunday
Three processions across the municipality, staggered through the day.
🌿 Nueva Andalucía (11:00am)
Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón y Nuestra Señora del Dolor y la Esperanza — Pollinica Viviente 11:00am — Parroquia de la Virgen Madre
Nueva Andalucía opens Palm Sunday with a Pollinica Viviente, a living Pollinica, featuring a single throne with musical accompaniment from the Maestro Ramón Mayén Music Band. The short route covers Quevedo, Torrente Ballester and Álvaro de la Iglesia before returning.
Don’t miss: the Blessing of the Palms inside the temple before departure, and the moment the procession meets on Calle Quevedo before processing back into the church together. A warm, neighbourhood occasion, perfect for families.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara (12:00 noon)
Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima de los Dolores — La Pollinica 12:00 noon — Plaza de la Iglesia de San Pedro Alcántara
San Pedro’s Pollinica carries a single throne — Jesús a su Entrada Triunfal en Jerusalén — with 80 carriers dressed in white tunics with red capes, accompanied by the Musical Group Band of Our Father Jesus of Faith at His Last Supper from Córdoba. The route takes in Revilla, Avenida Oriental, Antonio Martín, Don Vito (Plaza Istán), Estepona, María Rosa, Oasis, Del Valle, Avenida Pablo Ruiz Picasso and Marqués del Duero before returning to the church.
🏛️ Marbella Old Town (5:00pm)
Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Misericordia y María Santísima de la Paz y Esperanza — La Pollinica 5:00pm — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Tribune venia: 8:30pm on Calle Arte. Returns approximately 9:30pm.
The most joyful procession of the entire week. Two thrones — María Santísima de la Paz y Esperanza (white satin, green hoods, 60 carriers, 120 nazarenos) and Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Misericordia (120 carriers, 350 nazarenos) — process through the old town and out along the main avenues before returning.
Don’t miss: the petalada showered on the Virgin from the balconies of the Bocanegra School on the way out along Calle Trinidad; the school children singing to both thrones as they pass on the return; the special choreographed moment with rehearsed marches on Calle Carlos Mackintosh; special moments also at Tetuán, Huerta Chica and Chorrón; and the final encuentro of both thrones in the Plaza de la Iglesia accompanied by specially prepared marches.
New this year: four new lanterns and six rear pole heads on the Lord’s throne, new embroidered capes for the most important positions, and a bell on the Lord’s throne.
Monday 30th March — Holy Monday
🏛️ Marbella Old Town (8:30pm)
Hermandad del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, Santo Cristo Atado a la Columna y María Santísima Virgen Blanca — La Columna 8:30pm — Ermita del Santo Cristo Tribune venia: 10:30pm on Calle Arte
Two thrones: Santo Cristo Atado a la Columna (green tunics, white hoods, 50 carriers, 190 nazarenos, accompanied by the Cornets and Drums of Holy Christ of the Redemption of Benalmádena) and María Santísima Virgen Blanca (white tunics, green hoods, 50 carriers, 200 nazarenos, accompanied by La Lira de Pizarra).
The route is one of the most atmospheric of the week — passing through Plaza Santo Cristo, Ancha, Carmen and the Parroquia de la Encarnación before heading through Trinidad, Salinas, Arte and back through the narrow streets of Lobatas, Atarazanas, Postigo, San Francisco and Aduar.
Don’t miss: the estación de penitencia at the Parroquia de la Encarnación; the petalada on Calle Lobatas; a special paso y giro (a choreographed turn of the float) on Calle Atarazanas; the dramatic descent down Calle Aduar; and the encuentro of both images in Plaza Santo Cristo on their return.
Tuesday 31st March — Holy Tuesday
🏛️ Marbella Old Town (9:00pm)
Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo, María Santísima de la Encarnación, Santa Marta, San Lázaro y María — Cautivo / Santa Marta 9:00pm — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Tribune venia: 11:35pm on Calle Arte
One of the most distinctive processions of the week — three thrones. María Santísima de la Encarnación (blue tunics, white hoods, 90 carriers, accompanied by the Vera Cruz de Estepona Music Band); Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo (white tunics and hoods, 60 carriers, accompanied by the Santa Bárbara Band of La Línea de la Concepción); and Santa Marta, San Lázaro y María — the Hermanos de Betania section — whose 110 female carriers wear black tunics trimmed in white, accompanied by the Marbella Musical Group Band.
The route heads out from the Plaza de la Iglesia through Trinidad, Salinas and Arte to Plaza Puente Málaga, then along Nabeul, Marqués de Nájera, Tetuán and Ramón y Cajal before returning through Huerta Chica, Peral and Chorrón.
Don’t miss: the image of Santa Marta carrying a hyssop and holy water bucket — a lovely detail; and the encierro back at the church where both thrones meet and the traditional Santa Marta cakes are distributed to the crowd.
New this year: four newly gilded panels and part of the gilded cresting on the Throne of Jesús Cautivo will be displayed for the first time.
Wednesday 1st April — Holy Wednesday
Three acts tonight across the municipality.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara (9:00pm)
Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima de los Dolores — Vía Crucis 9:00pm — Plaza de la Iglesia de San Pedro Alcántara
A single throne — Cristo Crucificado y Nuestra Señora del Silencio — carried by 40 bearers, with ladies in black veils as mantillas. The route goes along Revilla, Lagasca, Del Pozo, Hernán Cortés, 19 de Octubre and Avenida Oriental before returning. One of the most contemplative acts of the entire week — silence is the rule throughout.
🏛️ Marbella Old Town (8:30pm)
Real, Ilustre, Venerable y Antigua Hermandad Sacramental de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, María Santísima del Mayor Dolor y Santo Sepulcro — El Nazareno 8:30pm — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Tribune venia: 11:20pm on Calle Arte
The most emblematic procession of Marbella’s Semana Santa. Two thrones: María Santísima del Mayor Dolor (blue tunics, white headdress, 110 carriers, accompanied by Los Moraos Music Band of Alhaurín El Grande) and Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (purple tunics, 110 carriers, 225 nazarenos, accompanied by two bugle and drum bands from Alhaurín el Grande and Torredonjimeno).
Don’t miss: the special moment as the procession passes along the avenue of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno; the paso de los tronos at the corner of Chorrón and Portada; and a petalada on Calle Trinidad on the return as the Virgin processes back to the chapel of the Brotherhood House.
New this year: complete restoration and gilding of the Throne of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and its base.
🌿 Nueva Andalucía (8:30pm)
Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón y Nuestra Señora del Dolor y la Esperanza 8:30pm — Parroquia de la Virgen Madre
Two thrones: Nuestra Señora del Dolor y la Esperanza (green tunics, 42 carriers, accompanied by the Maestro Ramón Mayén Band and the CCYT Dolores Coronada Band of Álora) and Santísimo Cristo del Perdón (purple tunics, accompanied by the CCYT Dolores Coronada Band of Álora). Route: Quevedo, Torrente Ballester and Álvaro de la Iglesia.
Thursday 2nd April — Holy Thursday
The biggest night of the week. Use the live GPS tracker on semanasanta.marbella.es to follow all processions simultaneously.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara — Procesión del Silencio (1:00am)
Before Thursday’s evening processions, San Pedro holds its extraordinary Procesión del Silencio in the early hours — 1:00am. A single throne of Cristo Crucificado y Nuestra Señora del Silencio processes through Revilla, Lagasca, Del Pozo and Marqués del Duero in complete silence. Short, intense and unlike anything else in the programme. Wrap up warm.
🏛️ Marbella — First Procession: El Calvario (5:45pm)
Muy Ilustre, Venerable y Fervorosa Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo de la Exaltación, María Santísima del Calvario y San Juan Evangelista 5:45pm Tribune venia: 7:50pm on Calle Arte
Three thrones, all in black tunics with turquoise hoods: Santísimo Cristo de la Exaltación (110 carriers, accompanied by Los Remedios de Estepona); María Santísima del Calvario (100 carriers, Pulianas Music Band from Granada); and San Juan Evangelista (100 carriers, Pulianas Music Band). The procession sets out from the Ermita del Calvario on a long route taking in the old town before returning to the ermita for the closing encuentro.
New this year: glory of the canopy and a bell on the Virgin’s throne.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara — Evening Procession (8:00pm)
Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima de los Dolores 8:00pm — Plaza de la Iglesia de San Pedro Alcántara
The biggest night in San Pedro’s Semana Santa. Two thrones: Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (purple tunics, 100 carriers, El Rescate Bugle and Drum Band from Torredonjimeno, Jaén) and María Santísima de los Dolores (burgundy tunics, 100 carriers, Jimena de la Frontera Music Band). The longest route of the entire San Pedro programme — taking in Avenida Oriental, Don Vito, Del Valle, Avenida Pablo Ruiz Picasso, San Miguel, Avenida Constitución, Dr. Eusebio Ramírez, Nueva, Lagasca, San Juan and Marqués del Duero. Arrive at least 45 minutes early.
🏛️ Marbella — Second Procession: Cristo del Amor (8:00pm)
Real, Antigua y Excelentísima Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo del Amor, María Santísima de la Caridad y San Juan Evangelista 8:00pm
Sets out at 8pm into the now-busy old town, joining the Calvario procession on the streets for one of the most spectacular evenings of the entire week.
🏛️ Marbella — Third Procession: Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz (11:30pm)
Hermandad del Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz 11:30pm
For the truly dedicated. The Vera Cruz brotherhood processes through the old town deep into the night. Candlelit, unhurried and profoundly atmospheric. If you’ve never been out at midnight watching a procession by candlelight, this is the one.
Friday 3rd April — Good Friday
The most solemn day of the week — beginning long before the evening processions.
🏛️ Marbella — Daytime Acts
12:00 noon – 2:00pm: The Santo Cristo Yacente lies in state at the Iglesia de la Encarnación, guarded by the IV Tercio de la Legión, members of the Municipal Corporation, state security forces, firefighters and civil protection. Since 2023, the Cristo de la Buena Muerte — donated by actress Carmen Sevilla — is carried on the shoulders of six legionnaires throughout the entire procession.
7:30pm: Members of the brotherhood’s governing board and the Legion’s war band formally request permission to carry the Pendón de la Ciudad from the steps of the Ayuntamiento in Plaza de los Naranjos, received by the full Municipal Corporation. Worth watching before dinner.
8:00pm: The solemn transfer of the Cristo Yacente, carried on the shoulders of the Legion, from the Church of the Incarnation to the Plaza del Santo Sepulcro, where it is enthroned for its penitential procession.
This year is also the 75th anniversary of the first procession of the Santo Cristo Yacente — an especially significant Good Friday.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara (8:00pm)
Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima de los Dolores — Cristo Yacente y Soledad 8:00pm — Plaza de la Iglesia de San Pedro Alcántara
Two thrones in matching black tunics with gold cinctures: Cristo Yacente (100 carriers, Marbella Municipal Band) and María Santísima de la Soledad (100 carriers, San Isidro Labrador Musical Association Band from Churriana, Málaga). The most solemn and longest route of San Pedro’s programme.
🏛️ Marbella — Santo Sepulcro (9:00pm)
Real, Ilustre, Venerable y Antigua Hermandad Sacramental — Santo Sepulcro 9:00pm — Capilla Santo Sepulcro
The ascent of Calle Ancha and the descent of Calle Postigo are observed in total and absolute silence. On Good Friday night, the crowd needs no instruction.
🏛️ Marbella — Virgen de la Soledad (9:30pm)
Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad 9:30pm — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
The grieving Virgin — alone and without the figure of Christ — is the emotional centrepiece of the entire week for many Marbella residents. Solitary, candlelit, and quietly devastating. The two Friday processions conclude with an encuentro in the Plaza de la Iglesia de la Encarnación.
If you see only one procession all week, make it this one.
Sunday 5th April — Easter Sunday
After the gravity of Good Friday and the quiet of Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday arrives in the morning sunshine — and everything feels lighter.
🏛️ Marbella (10:30am)
Agrupación de Hermandades y Cofradías — El Resucitado 10:30am — Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación Departs after Mass. Tribune venia: 11:30am on Calle Arte.
Three thrones: Santísimo Cristo Resucitado (throne by Juan Carlos García, 1996), María Santísima de la Victoria (throne by Juan Carlos García, 2014), and San Juan Evangelista (throne attributed to Francisco de Ocampo, 17th century, restored by Juan M. Miñarro in 1989).
Don’t miss: the encuentro of San Juan Evangelista with the two patron saints in the Church Square, the joyful full stop at the end of an extraordinary week.
🌿 San Pedro Alcántara (12:00 noon)
Cofradía Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno y María Santísima de los Dolores 12:00 noon — Plaza de la Iglesia de San Pedro Alcántara
A single throne — Santísimo Cristo Resucitado (throne by Casa Rodríguez Sanz, Málaga, acquired 1974) — processing along Revilla, Avenida Oriental, Antonio Martín, Don Vito, Del Valle, Avenida Pablo Ruiz Picasso and Marqués del Duero. A joyful, sunlit close to the week.
🌿 Nueva Andalucía (12:30pm)
Hermandad del Santísimo Cristo del Perdón y Nuestra Señora del Dolor y la Esperanza 12:30pm — Parroquia de la Virgen Madre
A single throne of the Cristo Resucitado carried on a short route through the streets immediately around the parish. Intimate, local and joyful, the perfect neighbourhood finale.
Full Programme at a Glance
Saturday 28 March 🏛️ Marbella: Amargura — 6:00pm
Sunday 29 March 🌿 Nueva Andalucía: Pollinica Viviente — 11:00am 🌿 San Pedro: La Pollinica — 12:00 noon 🏛️ Marbella: La Pollinica — 5:00pm
Monday 30 March 🏛️ Marbella: La Columna — 8:30pm
Tuesday 31 March 🏛️ Marbella: Cautivo / Santa Marta — 9:00pm
Wednesday 1 April 🏛️ Marbella: El Nazareno — 8:30pm 🌿 Nueva Andalucía: Cristo del Perdón — 8:30pm 🌿 San Pedro: Vía Crucis — 9:00pm
Thursday 2 April 🌿 San Pedro: Procesión del Silencio — 1:00am 🏛️ Marbella: El Calvario — 5:45pm 🏛️ Marbella: Cristo del Amor — 8:00pm 🌿 San Pedro: Jesús Nazareno / Virgen de los Dolores — 8:00pm 🏛️ Marbella: Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz — 11:30pm
Friday 3 April 🏛️ Marbella: Legión vigil at La Encarnación — 12:00 noon–2:00pm 🏛️ Marbella: Pendón ceremony, Ayuntamiento — 7:30pm 🏛️ Marbella: Transfer of Cristo Yacente by the Legión — 8:00pm 🌿 San Pedro: Cristo Yacente / Soledad — 8:00pm 🏛️ Marbella: Santo Sepulcro — 9:00pm 🏛️ Marbella: Virgen de la Soledad — 9:30pm
Sunday 5 April 🏛️ Marbella: El Resucitado — 10:30am 🌿 San Pedro: Cristo Resucitado — 12:00 noon 🌿 Nueva Andalucía: Resurrección — 12:30pm
Practical Tips
Use the official website. semanasanta.marbella.es has every route, every time and live GPS tracking of all processions in English. The single most useful thing on your phone all week.
Arrive early. For Thursday and Friday in the old town, be in position at least 45 minutes before the float arrives. In San Pedro, Holy Thursday is the busiest night and the same applies.
Dress in layers. April evenings cool quickly. The 11:30pm Vera Cruz on Thursday, Friday night in the old town, and especially the 1am Procesión del Silencio in San Pedro all require a proper jacket.
Don’t drive during processions. Roads close across all three areas with little warning. Park outside and walk in.
Follow the silence. When a saeta begins, when the Santo Sepulcro descends Calle Postigo, when the Silencio moves through San Pedro at 1am, go quiet with the crowd. These are the moments that stay with you.
Semana Santa across Marbella isn’t one event, it’s an entire week of extraordinary tradition unfolding simultaneously across three very different neighbourhoods. Whether you’re in the old town for the Soledad by candlelight on Friday night, in San Pedro for the 1am Procesión del Silencio, or taking the family to the Pollinica Viviente in Nueva Andalucía on a sunny Sunday morning, there is something here for everyone, and all of it is remarkable.
Go out. Stand on a pavement. Let it find you.
Full routes, confirmed times and live GPS tracking in English: semanasanta.marbella.es
FOR BUSINESSES
Reach 100,000+ listeners across the coast.
Locals, expats, tourists — all tuned in, all day. Radio advertising on the Costa del Sol is more affordable than most businesses expect.
About Us
Chilli broadcasts in English for locals, expats, and tourists along Spain’s Costa del Sol. We keep it simple: non-stop music, no talk, no hassle, just great hits, all day. From Gibraltar to Nerja.
Also on Chilli
Install App
