Estepona Holy Week 2025: Tradition, Faith, and Culture
Enjoy Estepona's Holy Week 2025: all the information about the routes of the processions, exaltations, and activities that we will experience during this Week of Passion
Holy Week in Estepona 2025 is much more than a religious holiday; it's a profound display of devotion, culture, and tradition that, year after year, fills the town's streets with fervor, solemnity, and beauty. Every corner of Estepona becomes a living stage where members of religious brotherhoods, locals, and visitors come together to commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
Holy Week in Estepona has a long tradition that dates back centuries. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the local brotherhoods carry out their processions through the old town, with their floats and thrones adorned with images venerated by the community. It is a time of reflection and contemplation, where the streets are filled with music, incense, and the sound of drums, as the faithful accompany the images on their journey.
This year, Holy Week 2025 features a program full of outstanding events, such as exaltations, proclamations, and, of course, the impressive processions. In this article, we invite you to immerse yourself in the magic of Holy Week in Estepona, discover its brotherhoods, the novelties, and the details that make this celebration on the Costa del Sol unique.
The 2025 Holy Week Poster: An Artistic Glimpse
One of the most representative elements of Holy Week in Estepona is the announcement poster that, each year, kicks off the celebrations. For Holy Week 2025, this poster has been designed by the young Nicaraguan painter José Ricardo González del Alba, known for his ability to capture religious devotion through his sacred art.
The work stands out for its baroque technique, a characteristic that can be seen in the detailed ornamentation that surrounds the central image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Cautivo (Our Father Jesus the Captive), one of the most venerated figures in Estepona. This portrait is not only a tribute to the religious image but also a reflection of the city's devotion to this invocation. The golden and ochre tones in the background give the work a solemn and elegant air, creating a framework of respect and reverence, typical of religious altars and altarpieces.
The poster not only serves as a visual announcement of Holy Week, but it is an artistic piece that communicates the message of hope and faith so characteristic of this festivity. In the lower strip, the text "Semana Santa - Estepona 2025" along with the shields of the City Council and the Association of Brotherhoods and Fraternities guarantee the authenticity and institutional support of the work.
José Ricardo González del Alba: The Artist
At just 24 years old, José Ricardo González del Alba has established himself as a prominent artist in the field of sacred art. Originally from Jinotepe, Nicaragua, González del Alba began his artistic career at a young age, driven by a deep religious devotion. Since his adolescence, his talent has been evident, and he has created a large number of works, many of them commissioned by ecclesiastical and religious figures.
The poster for Estepona's Holy Week 2025 is yet another example of his mastery and his ability to convey spirituality through art. With this commission, González del Alba is solidifying his position as a leading figure in sacred art, not only in his native country but also in the artistic and brotherhood scene of Andalusia.
Calendar of Events and Processions of Holy Week 2025 in Estepona
Holy Week in Estepona 2025 offers a variety of events and processions that will mark the devotion and fervor of the people of Estepona. From the exaltations and proclamations that precede the celebrations to the solemn processions that wind through the streets of the municipality, each day will be a reflection of the passion and spirituality that characterize this festivity.
Exaltations and Proclamations
One of the most prominent traditions of Holy Week in Estepona is the celebration of proclamations and exaltations. These events serve as a prelude to the processions and are highly anticipated moments for the members of the brotherhoods and the community in general.
March 22 – XVI Exaltation of the Woman with Mantilla
Location: Santa María de los Remedios Parish
Time: 8:30 PM
This year, the exaltation will be given by Mrs. Lorena Ramos Montes. It is an event dedicated to honoring the women who, dressed in the traditional mantilla, have accompanied the brotherhoods for generations.
April 4 – XXIX Proclamation of the Costalero (Carrier)
Location: Ntra. Sra. del Carmen Parish
Time: 8:30 PM
The proclamation will be delivered by Mr. Pedro-Antonio Ramírez Sánchez, who will reflect the effort and devotion of the costaleros, those in charge of carrying the thrones during the processions.
April 6 – XLII Official Proclamation of Holy Week
Location: Felipe VI Auditorium
Time: 1:15 PM
This proclamation will be given by Mr. Raúl Cano León and is one of the most emblematic moments of Holy Week in Estepona, as it is the official proclamation organized by the Association of Brotherhoods and Fraternities.
April 11 – XXVI Exaltation of the Throne Man and Woman
Location: Santa María de los Remedios Parish
Time: 8:00 PM
The proclamation will be delivered by Mr. Antonio Daniel Melero Muñoz, who will highlight the sacrifice and devotion of the throne men and women, essential in the city's processions.
The Processions of Holy Week
The Holy Week processions are the main events of this celebration. Throughout the week, Estepona hosts different brotherhoods that parade through the streets of the municipality, showing their faith and devotion through the sacred images they venerate. Below is a breakdown of the most important processions:
April 13 – Palm Sunday (La Borriquita)
Time: 5:00 PM
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. The procession of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and Ntra. Sra. de la Paz begins in the Carmen Parish and runs through several streets in the historic center of Estepona. It is one of the most symbolic processions, with the participation of many children who, dressed as Hebrews, carry palms.
April 15 – Holy Tuesday (Vera+Cruz)
Time: 8:00 PM
The Vera+Cruz Brotherhood organizes its traditional Stations of the Cross to Calvary, a solemn event that recalls the passion of Christ and that runs through the streets of Estepona with great reverence and fervor.
April 16 – Holy Wednesday (Cautivo)
Time: 8:30 PM
The Cautivo Brotherhood makes its procession through the streets of Estepona, with one of the most venerated images: Our Father Jesus Cautivo. This event is one of the moments of greatest devotion, where the thrones in the Malaga style stand out.
April 17 – Holy Thursday (Amor)
Time: 7:00 PM
The Amor Brotherhood processes the Holy Christ of Love and Our Lady of Hope in one of the most emotional processions, where purple and green colors predominate among the Nazarenes.
April 18 – Good Friday (Vera+Cruz)
Time: 8:00 PM
Good Friday is the culmination of the Passion. The Vera+Cruz Brotherhood organizes its procession with images as significant as the Holy Christ of the Veracruz and the Virgin of Sorrows. The procession is characterized by absolute respect and the solemnity of the moment.
April 20 – Resurrection Sunday (Association of Brotherhoods and Fraternities)
Time: 11:00 AM
Resurrection Sunday marks the end of Holy Week. The Association of Brotherhoods and Fraternities celebrates the Resurrection of Christ with a procession full of joy, which symbolizes the victory of life over death.
Routes and Itineraries of the Processions
One of the most attractive aspects of Holy Week in Estepona is the route of the processions, which cross the old town and allow us to enjoy the landscapes and architecture of the city while celebrating the passion of Christ.
Map of the Procession Routes
Highlights of the Brotherhoods
In Estepona, the brotherhoods and confraternities are the heart of Holy Week, each with its own history, devotion, and symbolism. These groups not only organize the processions but also reflect the religious and cultural life of the municipality. Below, we present the main brotherhoods of Estepona and the most important moments of their processions:
Brotherhood of the Captive
One of the most important confraternities in Estepona is the Brotherhood of the Captive, which processes on Holy Wednesday. Its most venerated image is Our Father Jesus Captive, a sculpture that represents Jesus at his arrest, a moment of great symbolism in the Passion. The brotherhood organizes one of the most solemn processions of Estepona's Holy Week, with the participation of numerous members who carry the thrones in the Malaga style.
This year, the Virgin of Health will debut a new embroidered glory, and Our Father Jesus Captive will wear a new velvet tunic with gold details.
Brotherhood of Love
The Brotherhood of Love organizes its procession on Holy Thursday. This confraternity stands out for the deep devotion professed to its images: The Holy Christ of Love and Our Lady of Hope. This year, the brotherhood will present new acorn and cord tassels for the Virgin's canopy.
The Nazarenes of this brotherhood dress in purple tunics and beige capes, symbolizing the sacrifice of Christ. It is a procession full of art and faith, where the solemnity of the night mixes with the passion of the members.
Brotherhood of the Vera+Cruz
The Brotherhood of the Vera+Cruz is the oldest in Estepona, with origins dating back to the 16th century. This brotherhood organizes its procession on Good Friday, a day on which the Passion of Christ is commemorated. The main image is the Holy Christ of the Veracruz, one of the most venerated in the city, along with other images such as Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint John the Evangelist.
This year, the brotherhood has restored the poles of the throne of The Holy Burial of Jesus and has finished the gilding of the table of the throne of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Brotherhood of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday is a day of great joy for the Brotherhood of the Resurrection, which celebrates Christ's victory over death. This year, the confraternity will have a new image of Our Lady of the Aurora, a carving that will be blessed in September 2025 and will participate for the first time in this year's procession.
Special Moments of Holy Week in Estepona
Holy Week in Estepona is a celebration full of special moments that touch the hearts of the faithful and visitors. Each of these acts has a profound religious and cultural significance that enriches the experience of living this festivity in the city.
Dawn Mass and Transfer of Images (Palm Sunday)
Palm Sunday begins with the traditional Dawn Mass, which takes place at 7:00 a.m. in the Santa María de los Remedios Parish. This act marks the beginning of the Holy Week services and is one of the most emotional moments. After the mass, the solemn Transfer of Our Father Jesus Captive and Mary Most Holy of Health takes place from the parish to the Brotherhood House.
This transfer is a manifestation of faith and devotion, where the devotees carry the images on a transfer throne while praying the Holy Rosary of the Dawn. It is a moment full of reflection, in which the community unites in prayer and hope.
Stations of the Cross to Calvary (Holy Tuesday)
Holy Tuesday is one of the most solemn days of Estepona's Holy Week, as the traditional Stations of the Cross organized by the Royal and Ancient Brotherhood of the Vera+Cruz is celebrated. This act takes place in the afternoon, starting at 8:00 p.m., and travels the streets towards Calvary, a place of great symbolism in the city.
The Stations of the Cross is a journey of prayer and meditation, where participants accompany the bare cross of the Holy Shroud, carried by women as a sign of reflection and respect. During the journey, prayers are said for the stations of the cross, a deeply spiritual act that connects the faithful with the suffering of Christ.
Premieres and Novelties (Holy Wednesday)
Each year, the brotherhoods of Estepona present premieres and novelties in their processions, whether in the images, the thrones, or the clothing of the members. On Holy Wednesday, the Brotherhood of the Captive processes with significant novelties:
Our Mother of Health will debut a new embroidered glory and a canopy ceiling with gold embroidery.
Our Father Jesus Captive will wear a new silk angel skin tunic, finished with gold lace.
A new raised cross and new gold-embroidered scapulars will also be incorporated for the section deputies and stewards.
This type of premiere reinforces the devotion and craftsmanship of each brotherhood, which makes each procession unique and special.
Additional Activities and Services
In addition to the processions, Holy Week in Estepona has other activities and services that enrich the spiritual and cultural experience of visitors. These activities include:
Concerts and musical events: During Holy Week, sacred music concerts are organized in various churches and squares, offering a solemn atmosphere that accompanies the processions.
Exhibitions of sacred art: Some temples and museums in Estepona host exhibitions related to Holy Week, showing the images, floats, and relics that are part of the religious tradition of the city.
Special services in the parishes: In addition to daily masses, some parishes celebrate special services, such as the Mass of the Passion or the Easter Vigil, which culminate on Holy Saturday night with the celebration of the Resurrection.
These activities allow both locals and tourists to enjoy a complete immersion in the religious and cultural traditions of Estepona.
Tips for Visitors
If you decide to experience Holy Week in Estepona, it is important to follow some tips to make the most of the festivity and the city:
Dress appropriately: If you plan to attend the processions, it is recommended to dress respectfully and comfortably, as the processions can last several hours. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, especially if the weather is warm.
Arrive early to find a good spot: The processions attract thousands of people, so it is advisable to arrive early at the key points of the route to ensure a good spot from which to see the passage of the floats.
Respect the rules and the atmosphere: During the processions, it is recommended to maintain silence and solemnity. Many of the processions are acts of religious devotion, so respect and appropriate behavior are essential.
Enjoy the local cuisine: Do not miss the opportunity to try the typical dishes of Holy Week in Estepona, such as cod stew or torrijas, which are a delight at this time of year.