Holy Week in Benalmadena 2025

Holy Week in Benalmadena 2025 will be celebrated from April 13 to 20 with several religious processions in both Benalmadena Pueblo and Arroyo de la Miel. The Hermandades (Brotherhoods) will represent different moments of the Pasion of Christ in each procession, culminating with the El Paso theatrical representation in Parque Retamar on April 17 and 18.

The Town Hall has released a program with the Holy Week related events (in Spanish). These events have been happening since March – Holy Week in Spain can last for more than a month. We reproduce below, in English, the core parts of that program: the events scheduled for the Holy Week itself.

Related Posts:
Holy Week in Benalmadena 2024
Holy Week and Easter in the Costa del Sol

Benalmadena Holy Week 2025 program

To make it a bit easier to find the different events, we are listing the events in chronological order, divided per area of the city. We also highlighted the routes to be followed with the maps provided by the program. You can click on the pictures below to see (and be able to read!) the details. 😉

Holy Week 2025 in Arroyo de la Miel

Palm Sunday – April 13

Brotherhood of the Redemption – Procession

Thrones displayed: “Our Father Jesus upon his Entry into Jerusalem” and “Our Lady of Help”.

Departure Time: 11:30 am.

Musical Accompaniment of “Our Father Jesus upon his Entry into Jerusalem”: BCT Christ of the Redemption.
Musical Accompaniment of “Our Lady of Help”: Rincón de la Victoria Music Band.

Itinerary: Calle Parra*, Calle Limonero, Calle Naranjo, Calle Orión, Avenida de la Estación*, Calle Vicente Aleixandre, Calle San Juan, Avenida de la Constitución, Calle Nacimiento, Calle Naranjo, Calle Limonero*, Redemption Brotherhood House.
* Highlights of the Procession.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the two thrones that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in blue). Below, the House of the Brotherhood of the Redemption (Cofradia de la Redención).

Brotherhood of The Crowned with Thorns – Procession

Thrones displayed: “Our Lord Jesus Christ Crowned with Thorns” and “Our Mother and Lady Most Holy Mary of the Greatest Pain”.

Departure time: 6:30 pm.

Musical accompaniment of “Our Lord Jesus Christ Crowned with Thorns”: Bugle and Drum Band Santísimo Cristo de la Redención.
Musical accompaniment of “Our Mother and Lady Most Holy Mary of the Greatest Pain”: Benalmádena Municipal Band.

Itinerary: Calle Velarde (shed), Calle Manuel Gambero, Calle las Flores, Calle San Juan, Avenida Vicente Aleixandre, Avda. la Estación, Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción, Plaza Adolfo Suarez (Pueblo Sol), Calle Pepa Guerra Valdenebro*
* Highlights of the Procession.

Above, on the left, above: the page of the program about this procession, showing the two thrones that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in green). ⁉️ The program says the procession will depart from Calle Valdenebro, but the map of the route shows a different spot; it is not clear which one is correct.

Holy Thursday – April 17

Brotherhood of the Redemption – Guard and Procession

Throne displayed: “Holy Christ of the Redemption” by the Brotherhood of the Legionary Knights.

Guard: 10:00 am
Procession: noon

Musical accompaniment: Brotherhood of Legionary Knights.

Itinerary: Redemption Brotherhood House, Calle Parra, Calle Limonero, Calle Ciprés, Calle San Juan, Avenida de la Constitución, Plaza de la Iglesia, Calle Vicente Aleixandre, Calle Nacimiento, Calle Naranjo* and Redemption Brotherhood House.
* Highlights of the Procession.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed by the Legionary Knights. On the right: the map with the route (in pink). ⁉️ The itinerary described for this procession doesn’t mention Calle García Lorca, Calle Andalucía and Calle Blas Infante, shown on the map. The route described is much shorter; it is not clear which one is correct.

Good Friday – April 18

Brotherhood of the Redemption – Stations of the Cross

Thrones displayed: Holy Christ of the Redemption and the Holy Mary of Sorrows.

Departure time: 5:30 am

Itinerary: Square in front of the Inmaculada Concepción Church, Calle Vicente Aleixandre, Calle Correos, Calle Benalmádena, Calle Velarde, Calle Ribera, Calle Greco, Calle Manuel Martín, Calle Zurbarán, Calle Naranjo, Calle Limonero, Calle Parra, Calle Nacimiento, Calle Vicente Aleixandre and Inmaculada Concepción Church.

Below: the square in front of the Inmaculada Concepción Church, starting point of the Stations of the Cross.

Brotherhood of the Redemption – Procession

Thrones displayed: Holy Christ of the Redemption and the Holy Mary of Sorrows.

Departure time: 7:30 pm

Musical accompaniment of the Holy Christ of the Redemption: BCT Christ of the Redemption
Musical accompaniment of the Holy Mary of Sorrows: Municipal Band of Casabermeja

Itinerary: Calle Parra*, Calle Limonero, Calle Naranjo, Calle Ciprés, Calle San Juan, Avenida de la Constitución, Avenida Federico García Lorca, Calle Andalucía, Calle Blas Infante, Calle Vicente Aleixandre, Calle Nacimiento, Calle Naranjo, Calle Limonero*, Redemption Brotherhood House.
* Highlights of the Procession.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed by the Legionary Knights. On the right: the map with the route (in pink).

Holy Week 2025 in Benalmadena Pueblo

Holy Monday – April 14

Brotherhood of the Captive – “A Carnation for the Captive”

Floral Offering at 10:00 am in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (see below).

Brotherhood of the Captive – Children’s Procession

Throne displayed: “Our Father Jesus the Captive”.

Departure time: 5:30 pm.

Musical Accompaniment: Bentomiz Musical Group (Arenas)

Itinerary: Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real, Avenida Juan Luís Peralta, Calle Maestra Ayala, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España and Calle Lomillas.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed by the children. On the right: the map with the route (in pink).

Holy Tuesday – April 15

Brotherhood of the Captive – Angelus Prayer

Angelus prayer before “Our Father Jesus the Captive” and “Our Lady of Hope” Throne Room (Calle San Miguel) Benalmádena.

Time: noon

Brotherhood of the Captive – Procession

Thrones displayed: “Our Father Jesus the Captive” and “Our Lady of Hope”.

Departure time: 8:00 pm.

Musical accompaniment of Our Father Jesus the Captive: Musical Group Our Father Jesus of Alhaurín de la Torre.
Musical accompaniment of Our Lady of Hope: Municipal Band of Benalmádena.

Itinerary: Calle San Miguel, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle Gabriel Escobar, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España, Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real*, Avenida Juan Luís Peralta, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle San Miguel until reaching the Throne Room.
*Highlights of the Procession.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in green).

Holy Thursday – April 17

Brotherhood of the Nazarene – Procession

Thrones displayed: “Our Father Jesus of Nazareth” and “Our Lady of Sorrows”.

Departure time: 7:00 pm.

Musical accompaniment of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth: Las Lagunas Musical Group (Mijas).
Musical accompaniment of Our Lady of Sorrows: Benalmádena Municipal Music Band.

Itinerary: Throne Room on Calle Galatea, Calle Biznaga, Av. Juan Luis Peralta, Calle Maestra Ayala, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España, Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real, Av. Juan Luis Peralta, Calle Biznaga, Calle Galatea and the Throne Room.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the thrones that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in purple). ⁉️ The itinerary described starts and finishes in different locations than the ones in the map.

El Paso

Every year, the Passion of Christ is represented in Benalmadena’s Retamar Rustic Park (in Benalmadena Pueblo, very close to the Stupa). More than 100 locals take part in this representation, which is quite unique both for the number of people involved and for the location, an open-air theater / park. See more about this very intriguing location – and how to get there! – on our post about the area of the Butterfly Park and Stupa. 😉

Related post:
Butterfly Park and Stupa of enlightenment – bonus: Retamar Park and Lourdes Cave

Good Friday – April 18

Brotherhood of the Nazarene – Procession

Thrones displayed: “Holy Recumbent Christ” and “Holy Mary of Tears”.

Departure time: 7:00 pm.

Musical accompaniment of the Most Holy Recumbent Christ: Vegas del Genil Musical Association (Granada).
Musical accompaniment of Most Holy Mary of Tears: Benalmádena Municipal Music Band.

Itinerary: Calle Galatea (throne’s hall), Calle Biznaga, Avenida Juan Luis Peralta, Calle Maestra Ayala, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España, Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real, Avenida Juan Luis Peralta, Calle Biznaga, Calle Galatea (throne’s hall).

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the thrones that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in purple). ⁉️ The itinerary described starts and finishes in different locations than the ones in the map.

El Paso

The representation of the Pasion of Christ (El Paso) will happen twice – on April 17 and 18. Check the description and images of the event under April 17.

Holy Saturday – April 19

Brotherhood of the Nazarene – Procession

Throne displayed: “Holy Mary of the sorrows in her loneliness”

Departure time: midnight from Friday 18 to Saturday 19

Musical accompaniment: uncapped drums

Itinerary: Calle San Miguel, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle Gabriel Escobar, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España, Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real, Avenida Juan Luís Peralta, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle San Miguel until reaching the throne room of the Captive’s Brotherhood.

The itinerary described corresponds to the one used by the Brotherhood of the Captive, not the Nazarene; it is not clear if this was a mistake of the program or if it is accurate.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in green).

Easter – April 20

Brotherhood of the Nazarene – Procession

Throne displayed: “Resurrected Christ”

Departure time: noon

Musical accompaniment: Benalmadena’s Municipal Music Band

Itinerary: Calle San Miguel, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle Gabriel Escobar, Calle Marbella, Plaza de España, Calle Lomillas, Calle Álamos, Calle Real*, Avenida Juan Luís Peralta, Avenida del Chorrillo, Calle San Miguel until reaching the throne room of the Captive’s Brotherhood.
*Highlights of the Procession.

The itinerary described corresponds to the one used by the Brotherhood of the Captive, not the Nazarene; it is not clear if this was a mistake of the program or if it is accurate.

Above, on the left: the page of the program about this procession, showing the throne that will be displayed. On the right: the map with the route (in green).

What are the Brotherhoods?

Brotherhoods are associations of people linked to one parish’s Catholic church. The ones that figure prominently during the Holy Week revolve around one specific function: guard and display the sacred thrones under their care. These thrones are large, heavy and decorated wooden structures. They are also valuable, detailed and most likely handmade and antique.

The thrones display different scenes of the passion of Christ according to the Catholic beliefs – his last days of life, death and resurrection. They are displayed during the Holy Week in processions, carried by men, women and even children of each Brotherhood. There can be hundreds of people carrying one throne.

Procession, guards, transfers, stations of the cross… are all sort of variations of processions: the transfers are a bit more functional – they happen when the throne needs to be moved to the starting point of an upcoming procession – and for this reason, less publicized; guards are processions that involve former or current military, police or national guard members; stations of the cross aim at highlighting specifically the biblical passage in which Christ carries his own cross to be crucified.

The Brotherhoods of Benalmadena

There are four Brotherhoods in Benalmadena:
– Hermandad del Nazareno (Brotherhood of the Nazarene)
– Cofradía del Cautivo (Brotherhood of the Captive)
– Cofradía de la Redención (Brotherhood of the Redemption)
– Cofradía del Coronado de Espinas (Brotherhood of the Crowned with Thorns)

These are the short versions of their names; each Brotherhood is named after the thrones that they care for, and such thrones have their own long names. Here is an example:

The Redemption Brotherhood’s full name is “Cofradia Santíssimo Cristo de la Redención y María Santíssima de los Dolores”, which translates as something like “Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of the Redemption and Holy Mary of the Sorrows”. The picture above, which is on the wall of the Brotherhood’s house, depicts the two thrones they store.

Also worth of note is that these Brotherhoods are all related to one of the main two Catholic Churches in Benalmadena. Nazarene’s and Captive Brotherhoods are related to the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, in Benalmadena Pueblo; Redemption and Thorns Crowned Brotherhoods are close to the Church of Inmaculada Concepción, in Arroyo de la Miel.

Above: Church of Inmaculada Concepción, in Arroyo de la Miel; below: Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, in Benalmadena Pueblo.

What if it rains on Holy Week?

When it rains or is forecasted to rain when one of the processions is supposed to happen, the event is usually canceled. Even though many of the participants would be willing to go no matter what, the thrones could be damaged by water. Sometimes processions can be postponed due to the weather, but as there are many other processions scheduled, that is not always possible.

In 2024, when Holy Week happened in March, it rained practically the entire week. In 2025 the forecast looks a bit better, but it is still likely to rain a bit. Let’s hope for no rain!

Conclusion

The maps that are part of the program are the same that were published in previous years, and I have the impression that they should be updated, as many of the itineraries described differ from the ones on the map. For the most part they coincide just in part with the description. It is also worth noticing that there are ongoing renovations in the central part of Benalmadena Pueblo, leading to the church, which may affect the routes there.

The Holy Week in Benalmadena is a major event that mobilizes thousands of locals every year. Regardless of religious faith, watch at least one of the processions if you have the opportunity; it is very touching.