Semana Santa (Setmana Santa in Catalan), also known as Holy Week, is one of Spain’s most famous and cherished celebrations. It marks the last week of Lent leading up to Easter, a period of fasting and reflection. Throughout Spain, Semana Santa is celebrated with grand, passionate processions that commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the most renowned processions take place in southern Spain, particularly in Seville and Málaga, Barcelona also hosts several Easter parades and events worth experiencing. If you’re curious about the key days of Holy Week and their traditions, keep reading.
Last updated: 06/03/2024
When is Semana Santa in Barcelona?
Holy Week typically falls in late March or early April, during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. It begins on Palm Sunday (Diumenge de Rams) and ends on Easter Monday (Dilluns de Pasqua), also known as Día de la Mona.
In Barcelona, children have the entire week off from school, and many people take a break from work from Friday to Monday.
This year, Semana Santa falls on the following dates:
- Palm Sunday (Diumenge de Rams): March 24, 2024
- Maundy Thursday (Dijous Sant): March 28, 2024
- Good Friday (Divendres Sant): March 29, 2024
- Holy Saturday (Dissabte Sant or Dissabte de Glòria): March 30, 2024
- Easter Sunday (Diumenge de Pasqua or Diumenge de Resurrecció): March 31, 2024
- Easter Monday (Dilluns de Pasqua): April 1, 2024
Important: Keep in mind that on public holidays, most shops (except Maremagnum shopping center and 24-hour supermarkets) are closed. Attractions and museums may have modified opening hours, and some restaurants and bars might be closed—though many remain open. Public transport also operates on a reduced schedule, with fewer metro, bus, and train services.
How is Semana Santa celebrated in Barcelona?
In Spain, Semana Santa is marked by processions, palm branches, chocolate Easter eggs, and delicious traditional treats such as torrijas, buñuelos, and pestiños.
Here are some of the key traditions and highlights of Holy Week in Barcelona:
Palm Sunday and Palm Blessings
One of the symbols of Semana Santa is the palm pasen staves, representing the palm branches present at Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
On Palm Sunday (Diumenge de Rams), godparents traditionally give their godchildren a palm branch or palm cross, often decorated, and take them to church for a blessing ceremony.
In Barcelona, you can buy these palm decorations at the Fira de Rams, a special market held in the days leading up to Semana Santa at Rambla de Catalunya and Plaça Sagrada Família.
After the blessing, many people hang the palm branches on their balconies at home and enjoy a traditional tortell de rams, a ring-shaped pastry.
Light Show at Sagrada Família
Starting on Palm Sunday, a special light show is projected onto the Passion Façade of the famous Sagrada Família, depicting the final hours of Christ’s life.
There are two 30-minute shows each evening:
- 8:00 PM
- 9:45 PM
Make sure to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot for this unique experience.
Easter Processions
The street processions during Semana Santa commemorate Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. These solemn parades feature religious statues carried through the streets.
The most important processions in Barcelona take place on:
- Good Friday (Divendres Sant) – marking the crucifixion of Jesus
- Palm Sunday (Diumenge de Rams)
- Maundy Thursday (Dijous Sant)
- Easter Sunday (Diumenge de Pasqua)
Compared to the more intense and elaborate processions in southern Spain, Barcelona’s processions are more subdued. However, for a more passionate Easter procession, you can visit Hospitalet de Llobregat, a nearby town. Another well-known location for Easter processions near Barcelona is Mataró.
The Passion Play
During Semana Santa, theatrical performances of The Passion—the story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—are staged across Spain.
One of the oldest and most famous Passion plays in Catalonia takes place in Olesa de Montserrat, just 40 km from Barcelona. This tradition has been performed for over 500 years, and only the most talented locals are allowed to participate.
Other nearby towns that also stage The Passion include: Cervera, Olot and Esparraguera.
Mona de Pasqua – The Easter Cake
On Easter Monday (Dilluns de Pasqua), it is tradition to eat a Mona de Pasqua, a special Easter cake often made of chocolate and decorated with chocolate eggs or figurines.
Godparents traditionally gift this cake to their godchildren, usually until the child reaches around 12 years old (the age of First Communion).
You can either bake a Mona de Pasqua at home or buy one from a pastisseria (pastry shop). Barcelona’s bakeries go all out, creating spectacular chocolate sculptures, so it’s worth checking out the shop windows!
Visiting Barcelona During Semana Santa?
If you’re in Barcelona during Semana Santa, don’t miss out on these unique events and traditions!
Want to know what else you can do in Barcelona during Easter weekend? 👉 Check out my recommendations here!
