Easter Week - Semana Santa

Dates - Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday

2017 April 9th - April 16th
2018 March 25th - April 1st
2019 April 14th - April 21st

This is a holiday that lasts anywhere from one week to 10 days and dates back to the 16th century when it was decided that Easter processions would be the best way to depict scenes from the story of the fall and rise of Jesus.

Parades traditionally start on Palm Sunday and end on Easter Sunday, with the most dramatic and solemn occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Semana Santa Easter Procession

In the parades, up to two thousand members of a brotherhood can take part carrying candles, rods or banners depending on their level of seniority. The most senior is the president who carries a golden rod.

Costaleros carry heavy floats with sculptured representations of biblical scenes. The impressive thing about these thrones is that they are centuries-old antique works of art (some dating back to the 17th century) and can weigh between 2,000 and 5,000 kilos. Floats are covered with flowers and sweets such as "torrijas" (sweet fried bread soaked in wine) and "monas" (sweet bread) are eaten to mark the end of a long journey.

The thrones are followed by Nazarenos dressed in many coloured tunics, hoods and masks and women dressed in traditional costume. Their pointed hats can remind some of the Klu Klux Klan. They have nothing to do with this organization. The pointed hoods and penitential robe are worn to conceal the face of the wearer who represent penitents too shamed by the crucifixion to show their faces. The "nazarenos" also may carry long candles to light the way of their journey.

The high point of the procession is when the float exits and enters the respective church. This is the moment when art and religion seem merged into one. A sculpture of images created by superb craftsmen. The best floats date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and can still be seen today.

The slow rhythmic beating of the drums and the swaying steps of the bearers can be very emotional. You will hear the wailing of the "saeta", a revered form of Spanish religious song, similar to the flamenco and sung throughout the Holy Week processions.

Holy Week in Andalucia is a tradition that is an integral part of the culture and appropriately reflects the spirit of the people.

Typical Easter Events in Marbella

Easter in Marbella is the kickoff to the warm weather season when tourists start to flock to the beach and beach clubs and restaurants (chiringuitos) shake the dust of the beach chairs and open their doors to the public after a short winter break. Prices start to rise and the crowds get thicker as tourism jump starts for a new season.

Easter egg hunt at Arboretum park - Charity Arboretum Marbella will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt at their beautiful public park in Marbella.

Kidz Inland Easter egg hunt Coin.

Easter parties - Join the Easter fun at the Galaxia San Pedro play centre with an Easter egg hunt, balloon animals, face painting and special visits from Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and even the Easter Bunny.

Easter Parade and Family Fun Day at Nagueles Park. Easter Egg huts, Easter bonnet parade, Easter Bunny's Grotto, photos with Easter Bunny, face painting, egg and spoon race, raffle and tombola, childrens' entertainers, childrens supervised play area.

Puerto Banus Easter Boat Fair - Enjoy the "Feria Nautica" at the port to visit more than 100 boats 17ft to 84ft and ready for sea trials.

Easter art and sport camp - Art theme - fracture fairytales!! Morning session sport - kickboxing, circuits, games afternoon session for kids 6 - 12yrs.