Holy Week is one of the most important periods in Spain’s calendar, drawing thousands to its religious processions, public holidays and family gatherings. If you are planning trips, time off work or travel around the country, knowing the key dates for Easter 2026 in Spain will be essential for organising your spring.
When is Easter in 2026?
In 2026, Semana Santa, or Holy Week in Spain, will run from Sunday 29th March to Sunday 5th April, with Easter Monday falling on 6th April in those regions where it is a public holiday.
29th March: Palm Sunday 2026
Palm Sunday, Domingo de Ramos, is one of the major Easter traditions in Spain, marking the beginning of Holy Week and commemorating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
In popular Easter destinations such as Seville, Málaga and Valladolid, Catholic brotherhoods called cofradías organise large Palm Sunday processions, with penitents in traditional robes, brass bands and religious floats carried through the historic streets.
Many people attend Mass and have palm or olive branches blessed, which they then take home as a religious symbol.
2nd April: Maundy Thursday 2026
Maundy Thursday, Jueves Santo, recalls the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. It is a public holiday in almost all Spanish regions, and many towns hold late-night or overnight processions.
Major Holy Week destinations such as Seville, Zamora and León see some of their most important processions on Maundy Thursday, drawing large numbers of residents and visitors.
3rd April: Good Friday 2026
Good Friday, Viernes Santo, is a national public holiday across Spain and focuses on the Crucifixion and death of Jesus. The mood is particularly solemn, with processions featuring images of Christ and the Virgin Mary in mourning.
Many Spaniards take part in the afternoon liturgy of the Passion, while cities see streets filled with spectators watching the most intense processions of Semana Santa.
5th April: Easter Sunday 2026
Easter Sunday, Domingo de Resurrección, celebrates the Resurrection and brings a more joyful end to Holy Week in Spain. Churches hold festive Masses, and in some regions, there are “Encuentro” processions in which statues of the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary meet in the main square.
Families gather for special Easter meals, and regional traditions mark the transition from the austerity of Lent to the Easter season.
6th April: Easter Monday 2026
Easter Monday, Lunes de Pascua, is a public holiday only in certain autonomous communities, including Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. It is generally a quieter day focused on family time rather than major processions.
In Catalonia and the Valencian Community, one of the most recognisable Easter Monday traditions is sharing the mona de Pascua, an Easter cake or chocolate creation that godparents typically give to their godchildren.
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