Alhama de Murcia celebrates Easter Week with processions, flowers and sweets

Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter) is probably the most important few days in the religious calendar of the Region of Murcia and is full of processions, flowers and music, commemorating the suffering and death of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection.

Far removed from the world of chocolate and bunnies, Semana Santa in Murcia is a week of colourful processions, rows of penitents accompanying the “pasos” representing the last days in the life of Jesus throughout the streets of each town, carrying enormous “tronos” bearing sculptural representations adorned with flowers to the beat of drums as the parades pass through the crowds.

In Alhama, Semana Santa is a relatively intimate event with over 50 impressive “pasos” (the figures and tableaux paraded through the streets) belonging to 5 Cofradías (brotherhoods), and the streets are the perfect width to create an intimate and spiritual atmosphere, comfortably accommodating the passing tronos without crushing the onlookers.

Alhama possesses some truly beautiful sculptures and great care is taken of them so that they are among the best-dressed in the Region. The floral decorations are spectacular and throughout the week the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

The flowers are especially prominent on Easter Sunday, the Day of the Resurrection, in a triumphant explosion of colour, joy and scent at the celebration.

Should you wish to choose just three events, a good selection would be those on Tuesday night, Thursday night and Sunday morning. Another large procession is held in the evening of Good Friday.

All of the processions leave from the church of San Lázaro, alongside the archaeological museum, and the parish church of La Concepción, just behind Plaza de las Américas. They usually progress through the centre of the town, which is closed off as they begin, so visitors park on the outskirts and walk in. Maps can be obtained from the Tourist office of Alhama de Murcia.

The program for the Semana Santa events in Alhama de Murcia in 2026 is as follows:

(NB Images do not necessarily correspond to specific day.)

Thursday March 26

23.30: Serenata a Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. Just before midnight the figures of Jesus and Mary meet at the entrance of the church prior to Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows).

Friday March 27 (Viernes de Dolores, Friday of Sorrows)

17.45: Procession of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Legions to the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores y la Soledad,

22.00: Procession of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo, La Feria, Vergara Pérez, Plaza Vieja, Larga, Jardín de Los Mártires, Corredera, La Feria, Gil, Virgen del Rosario, Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo.

Participants: Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores y de la Soledad and the Drums & Trumpets Band of the Legionnaires of the Base Álvarez de Sotomayor of Viator (Almería).

This procession features the figure of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (1949), which resides in the chapel of the church of San Lázaro all year round.

Sunday March 29, Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)

11.30: The Blessing of the Palms at the Church of La Concepción to the Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo, followed by a Palm Sunday procession.

Route: Iglesia de la Concepción, Acequia Espuña, Rambla Don Diego, Corredera, La Feria, Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo. Followed by Palm Sunday Mass at 12.00.

18.30: Palm Sunday procession of La Verónica. Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly on a donkey, greeted ecstatically by the crowds. This is a lovely family occasion, with participants carrying palm decorations.

Route: La Feria, Corredera, Rambla Don Diego, Constitución, Juan Carlos I, Murcia, Sánchez Vivancos, Virgen de los Dolores, church of La Virgen de los Dolores.

Participants: Hermandad de La Santa Mujer Verónica.

Monday March 30, Lunes Santo (Holy Monday)

22.00: A procession held by the Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

Route: Parroquia de La Concepción (Huerto de los Olivos), Moreras, Hermana Angelines, Plaza Vieja (Sanedrín), Empedrá, church of San Lázaro Obispo (Palacio de Pilatos).

Tuesday March 31, Martes Santo (Easter Tuesday)

21.30: The first of the major Semana Santa processions in Alhama de Murcia, in which all aspects of the first part of the Passion are shown, from the betrayal of Judas to the denial of Peter and the crucifixion of Christ. All five of the Cofradías of Alhama take part in the event, which begins at the Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo.

Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo, Virgen del Rosario, La Feria, Corredera, Larga, Plaza Vieja, Hermana Angelines, Moreras, Rambla Don Diego, Postigos, Miguel Servet, La Feria, Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo.

Wednesday April 1, Miércoles Santo (Holy Wednesday)

22.00: Procession of the Cofradía de Santa María Magdalena. The love of Mary Magdalene shines out in white and light, the purest of loves. There are three pasos.

Route: Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo, La Feria, Corredera, Rambla Don Diego, San Francisco Javier, Plaza del Mazareno, Constantino López, Pio X, Justo Gil Cotanda.

Thursday April 2, Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday)

18.00: Holy Mass in the parish church of San Lázaro Obispo

19.00: Holy Mass in the parish church of La Concepción.

19.45: Procession of the Last Supper, with eight “pasos”, starting at the Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo. Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo, La Feria, Juan Carlos I, Tomás Moro, Postigos, Rambla Don Diego, San Francisco Javier, Plaza del Nazareno, Avda. Sierra Espuña, Colón, Fuente Blanca.

Participants: Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

22.15: Procession in silence. A solemn and reverential procession featuring four “pasos” to mark the last night of Jesus’ life. The lights are turned off in the town and the procession files past in silence, the atmosphere tinged with shame and betrayal.

Route: Iglesia de la Concepción, Rambla Don Diego, Corredera, La Feria, Juan Carlos I, Tomás Moro, Postigos, Ram bla Don Diego, Iglesia de la Concepción.

Participants: Cofradía de San Juan Evangelista.

Friday April 3, Viernes Santo (Good Friday)

This is a big day for processions, with all the Cofradias participating in both morning and evening events. Today is the day to contemplate the crucifixion of Christ and the sacrifice he made so that we might live.

11.00: Procesión del Encuentro. Each Cofradía sets out from its own starting point, heading towards the Plaza de la Concepcion, where they meet at 11.00.

Route of the Hermandad de la Santa Mujer Verónica: La Feria, Empedrá, Plaza Vieja, Hermana Angelines, Moreras, Santerén, Valeros, Rambla D. Diego, Plaza de la Concepción.

Route of the Cofradía de Santa María Magdalena and the Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno: La Feria, Empedrá, Plaza Vieja, Hermana Angelines, Moreras, Plaza de La Concepción.

Route of the Cofradía de San Juan Evangelista and the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores y de la Soledad: La Feria, Federico Servet, Postigos, Rambla de D. Diego, Plaza de La Concepción.

22:00: the Procesión del Santo Entierro (the Holy Sepulchre). This event commemorates the burial of Christ and is the largest procession of the week in Alhama de Murcia, with nine “pasos”.

Route: Church of San Lázaro Obispo, La Feria, Juan Carlos I, Tomás Moro, Postigos, Rambla Don Diego, San Francisco Javier, Sierra Espuña, Florencio Javaloy, Acequia Espuña, Rambla Don Diego, Corredera, church of San Lázaro Obispo.

Following the procession, the figure of Christ is taken from the Church to Calvary, with members of the public welcome to join the processional entourage.

Route: Iglesia de San Lázaro Obispo, Virgen del Rosario, Juan Carlos I, Los Pasos, Calvario.

Main participants: Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

Saturday April 4, Sábado Santo (Easter Saturday)

19.00: The figure of Christ is carried on the shoulders of the “Armaos” (Roman soldiers) from the Iglesia de San Lázaro to the Parroquia de la Concepción.

19.45: Procession of the 7 words and the Holy Sepulchre (the denial of Peter and the tomb of Christ), a day of mourning when the mood is sombre.

Route: Parroquia de la Concepción, Rambla D. Diego, Corredera, La Feria, Juan Carlos I, Tomás Moro, Postigos, Rambla D. Diego, San Francisco Javier, Plaza del Nazareno, Constantino López, Colón, Fuente Blanca.

Participants: Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno.

23.00: Easter Vigil in the Parroquia de San Lázaro and the Parroquia de La Concepción.

Sunday April 20, Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday)

The Easter Sunday procession in Alhama features another Encuentro of different pasos carried by different groups, a joyous moment in celebration of the Resurrection. As the pasos meet in the centre of the street the tomb of Jesus opens and a white dove flies out into the sky: Jesus is resurrected.

Following the meeting, the pasos file back to San Lázaro together accompanied by music as onlookers throw flowers and petals into their path. It’s a particularly special morning for which Alhama is justifiably famous!

10.00: The Cofradias take 3 different routes, leaving from the church of San Lázaro, before meeting in the Jardín de los Patos at 11.00.

Route of the Cofradía de San Juan Evangelista and the Hermandad de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores y de la Soledad: Virgen del Rosario, Sánchez Vivancos, Murcia, Juan Carlos I, Jardín de Los Patos.

Route of the Hermandad de la Santa Mujer Verónica and the Cofradía de Santa María Magdalena: La Feria, Federico Servet, Tomás Moro, Juan Carlos I, Jardín de Los Patos.

Route of the Archicofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno: La Feria, Jardín de Los Patos.

11.00: The Encuentro in the Jardin de los Patos, before the return to San Lázaro along the following route: La Feria, Corredera, Rambla Don Diego, San Francisco Javier, Plaza del Nazareno, Constantino López, Constitución, Juan Carlos I, La Feria, Parroquia de San Lázaro Obispo.

(Images: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Murcia)

 

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office (telephone 968 633512) or go to the home page of Alhama Today.

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