Each spring, as the first hints of summer warm the streets of the Costa Blanca, something remarkable stirs in the heart of the city. Semana Santa Alicante transforms this sun-drenched Mediterranean town into a stage for centuries-old tradition. This is no ordinary Easter celebration — it’s a deeply moving week of solemn processions, heavy wooden floats, and quiet acts of devotion that take over Alicante’s historic streets.

From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, Alicante becomes a living, breathing theatre of faith. Whether you’re devout or just culturally curious, witnessing Semana Santa in Alicante is something that will stay with you long after the candles are snuffed and the drums fall silent.

More than a Parade: The Meaning Behind Semana Santa Alicante

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, commemorates the final days of Jesus Christ’s life — from his entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion and eventual resurrection. In Semana Santa Alicante, these moments are brought to life by a series of dramatic and highly choreographed processions, organised by the city’s many cofradías (brotherhoods) and hermandades (religious fraternities).

These groups are made up of people of all ages, many of whom have inherited their roles through generations. They spend the year preparing for this week: restoring statues, rehearsing routes, and managing the enormous logistics involved in moving floats — known as pasos — through the winding streets.

What is a Paso? And Who Are the Costaleros?

A paso is not just a float — it’s a work of religious art, often hundreds of years old, and designed to be carried through the streets on the shoulders of costaleros. These are men (and sometimes women) who train and prepare to carry up to 1,500 kilograms of wood, candle wax, flowers, and statuary through steep alleyways, down flights of stone steps, and back up again.

The costaleros walk in unison, hidden beneath the structure, guided by a capataz who gives sharp vocal instructions to maintain rhythm and direction. It’s as much a feat of coordination as it is of strength — many do it barefoot as an act of faith or penitence.

Watching them carry a paso slowly around a tight corner or down a sloping street, heads just barely clearing balconies, is a jaw-dropping spectacle. This isn’t pageantry — it’s pilgrimage.

The Iconic Procession of Holy Wednesday

The highlight of Semana Santa Alicante for many locals and visitors is the Holy Wednesday procession from the Ermita de Santa Cruz. Organised by the Hermandad Penitencial de Santa Cruz, this is one of the most beautiful and moving events of the week.

Starting high above the old town in the Santa Cruz barrio, the procession descends steep, narrow streets like Calle San Antonio and Calle San Rafael, accompanied by solemn music and the spontaneous singing of saetas — raw, flamenco-style laments delivered from balconies.

At its most intense, the costaleros carry their paso down a long stone staircase, illuminated only by candles, before reaching Plaza del Carmen and eventually the Cathedral of San Nicolás. The return journey, long after midnight, sees the entire route done in reverse — uphill, paso and all. It’s one of the most astonishing sights of Semana Santa Alicante.

The Robes, the Hoods… and the Clarification

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the costumes. Members of the brotherhoods wear robes (túnicas) and tall, pointed hoods (capirotes), which cover the face. To the uninitiated, they can look startling — particularly to those from countries like the UK or US where similar garments are associated with sinister groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

But rest assured: they have absolutely no connection. These garments are centuries older than the KKK, and in Spain, they symbolise anonymity, humility, and a form of spiritual penance. They allow the wearer to participate without drawing attention to themselves — it’s the message of the procession, not the individual, that matters.

From Sorrow to Celebration

Semana Santa Alicante is a rollercoaster of emotion. The early days of the week — especially Maundy Thursday and Good Friday — are steeped in mourning and reflection. The city moves slowly, processions are more sombre, and even the bars feel a little quieter.

But on Easter Sunday, it all changes. The mood lifts. Bells ring, the pasos feature scenes of resurrection, and people smile and hug as the final processions move through town. The city returns to joy, having lived through the story of suffering and rebirth.

It’s this transformation — from silence to song, from darkness to light — that makes Semana Santa in Alicante so unforgettable.

Practical Tips for Experiencing Semana Santa Alicante

• Plan ahead – the best processions are also the most crowded
• Get to Santa Cruz early on Holy Wednesday — the steps get packed
• Buy a seat if you want a good view on the main days — some are for sale along key streets
• Be respectful — this is a sacred week for many
• Keep an eye out for the saetas — they’re haunting, unscheduled, and unmissable

And most importantly — be present. Don’t just watch through your phone screen. These moments are best experienced in person, with a little candle wax on your shoes and the smell of incense in the air.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be religious to be moved by Semana Santa Alicante. You just have to be human. It’s a week of beauty, strength, tradition, and emotion — all set in one of Spain’s most underrated cities. Whether you’re watching a paso inch down a stone staircase or hearing a single voice break the silence of the night, you’ll understand why this isn’t just a holiday. It’s a city baring its soul.

For more information and a programmer of events go to: https://alicanteturismo.com/fiestas/semana-santa-de-alicante/