Southern Spain’s Christian festivals aren’t just spiritual—they’re cultural deep dives into centuries-old traditions, dramatic processions, and heartfelt community moments. Whether you’re wandering candlelit streets in a mountain village or watching ornate floats pass through city plazas, these events are immersive, emotional, and often spectacular.
Here’s your guide to the most powerful Christian events happening across Marbella and Andalucía in 2025. Some are vibrant and family-friendly; others are more intimate and moving. But all are rooted in history—and they’re some of the most authentic ways to experience this region.
January
Cabalgata de Reyes Magos / Three Kings Parades — Sweets & Christmas Magic ✝️
January 5 | All Cities & Towns
Spain’s holiday season peaks on the night before Epiphany, when the Three Kings arrive in grand style. Parades fill the streets from Marbella to Málaga, as the Magi ride through town tossing sweets to children. Seville’s version is the oldest, Granada’s route winds by the Alhambra, and even small towns like San Pedro join in with torchlit floats and marching bands. A magical evening for kids and adults alike. Read more.
Fiesta de San Antón en Canillas de Albaida / Festival of Saint Anton in Canillas de Albaida — Blessings for Pets ✝️
Late January | Canillas de Albaida, Málaga
This village celebration honors Saint Anthony, protector of animals. Locals bring their pets to be blessed, gather for bonfires in the streets, and enjoy live music with hearty local fare. Expect dogs in ribbons, street dancing, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere in one of Axarquía’s prettiest hill towns. Read More
February
Día de la Candelaria / Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria — Candles, Fire & Community ✝️
February 2 | Various Towns, Especially in Huelva & Jaén
Marking the end of winter and the presentation of Jesus at the temple, this festival lights up towns with bonfires and candlelit processions. In Aracena and Baeza, families gather for Mass, music, and traditional meals around the flames. A quiet but beautiful night that feels both spiritual and deeply communal. Read More
March
Romería de San José / Saint Joseph Pilgrimage — Rustic Pilgrimage with Style ✝️
Confirmed Date: March 19th, 2025 | Various Towns
Pilgrims travel on horseback and in flower-decked wagons to celebrate Saint Joseph’s Day. The procession in Cádiz’s San José del Valle is especially festive, with flamenco, food, and a strong sense of devotion. It’s a blend of country fair and spiritual journey—charming, rustic, and full of character. Read More
April
Semana Santa / Easter Holy Week — Andalucía’s Iconic Holy Week ✝️
From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday | All Andalucía
Easter in Andalucía is a sensory overload—in the best way. Cities and towns transform into stages for towering floats (pasos), silent hooded penitents, dramatic brass bands, and clouds of incense. Seville and Málaga host the most famous processions, while Córdoba and Granada offer more intimate alternatives. Granada’s torchlit Alhambra procession on Maundy Thursday is unforgettable, and in Córdoba, the Palm Sunday processions are a favorite for families with kids. Whether you’re spiritual or just curious, Semana Santa is a must-see.
Read more about Semana Santa in Málaga
Read more about Semana Santa in Seville
Palm Sunday & Holy Monday – La Sentencia y El Rescatado in Córdoba
Two of Córdoba’s most moving processions—La Sentencia and El Rescatado—draw locals and visitors alike. These pasos are deeply rooted in neighborhood tradition and showcase emotional expressions of faith and artistry. Read More
Maundy Thursday – Procesión del Alhambra in Granada
The Maundy Thursday procession winds through the Albaicín before passing beneath the glowing Alhambra. It’s one of the most hauntingly beautiful routes in Semana Santa, with flickering candles lighting up the city’s Moorish past.
Good Friday — Procesión de la Virgen de la Macarena de Sevilla / Virgen de la Macarena Procession in Seville
Thousands gather to see the beloved image of the Virgin of Macarena paraded through Seville’s historic streets. This is Holy Week’s emotional peak for many Sevillanos—rich in music, tears, and tradition dating back centuries. Read More
Good Friday – Cristo de la Viga in Jerez de la Frontera
One of Andalucía’s oldest religious icons, the Cristo de la Viga, is carried in silence through Jerez’s medieval core. A stark contrast to flashier parades, this procession speaks to the soul with its solemnity. Read More
Easter Sunday – Toro del Aguardiente in Gaucín
On Easter Sunday morning, the quiet village of Gaucín bursts into action with one of the most thrilling traditions in the region. As part of the Toro del Aleluya, a bull is let loose through the village streets, symbolizing celebration and rebirth after the solemn days of Holy Week. It’s a bold and dramatic contrast to the serene religious processions that come before. Read More
Easter Sunday – Toro Embolao in Vejer de la Frontera
In the afternoon, a live bull runs through the streets in a centuries-old Easter ritual that’s both controversial and deeply woven into the cultural fabric of this white hilltop town. Read More
Easter Sunday – Toro del Aleluya / Hallelujah Bull Run in Arcos de la Frontera 🐂
The Toro del Aleluya, or Hallelujah Bull Run, is a one-of-a-kind Easter Sunday tradition in the picturesque town of Arcos de la Frontera, southern Spain. With deep religious roots, this centuries-old event marks the resurrection of Christ in a thrilling way—through a dramatic bull run that draws both excitement and reverence. Read More
June
Romería de El Rocío, Almonte, Huelva — Andalucía’s Most Passionate Journey 🐎
Confirmed Date: June 4-9th, 2025 | Almonte, Huelva
El Rocío is the ultimate Andalusian pilgrimage. Over a million devotees make the trek to honor the Virgen del Rocío, also called the White Dove. Caravans of horseback riders, flamenco-dressed pilgrims, and ox-drawn carts cross the marshes and forests of Doñana to reach the small village of El Rocío. It’s dusty, loud, emotional, and unforgettable. Read More
Romería de San Bernabé — Marbella’s Patron Saint Procession ✝️
Confirmed Date: June 9-14th, 2025 | Marbella
Marbella’s Romería is part spiritual celebration, part countryside fiesta. Locals head out to the pine forests just outside town in horse-drawn carts and traditional dress, stopping for mass, grilled sardines, and Sevillanas dancing. It kicks off Marbella’s feria week and is one of the most photogenic days of the year. Read More
July
Fiesta Virgen del Carmen / Virgin of Carmen Festival — The Saint of the Sea ✝️
Confirmed Date: July 16th, 2025 | Coastal Towns
This coastal celebration honors the Virgin of Carmen, protector of sailors. Statues of the saint are carried through the streets before being loaded onto fishing boats and taken out to sea. Expect fireworks, maritime parades, and beachside processions in towns along the Costa del Sol. Romantic, kid-friendly, and full of summer vibes. Read More
September
El Festival Luna Mora de Guaro / Luma Mora Festival Guaro — Candles & Andalusian Magic 🕯️
Confirmed Date: September 12-13th, 2025 | Guaro
Guaro’s narrow streets flicker with over 20,000 candles during this two-night festival blending Christian and Moorish heritage. There’s live flamenco, storytelling, and market stalls offering crafts and treats—all set under a starlit sky. It’s an atmospheric and romantic event that celebrates Andalucía’s multicultural past. Read More
Romería de la Divina Pastora de Cantillana (Sevilla) / Pilgrimage of the Divine Shepherdess of Cantillana (Seville) — A Seville Devotion
Confirmed Date: September 28th, 2025 | Cantillana
Thousands of pilgrims walk from Cantillana’s church to the shrine of the Divina Pastora, singing, dancing, and honoring one of Seville’s most loved Marian icons. This early autumn romería has been a local tradition since the 1700s and offers a joyful window into Andalusian faith and folklore. Read More
September
Christmas Markets & Lights — A Warm Winter Glow ✝️
All December – Early January | All Cities
December in southern Spain is pure magic. Cities like Málaga and Seville light up with spectacular displays, while local markets sell handmade gifts, roasted chestnuts, and sugary sweets like turrón. It’s festive but never freezing, and perfect for wandering through old towns filled with music, nativity scenes, and joy. Read More
Whether you’re watching candlelight reflect off an ancient stone wall or dancing beside a statue carried through the sea, Christian festivals in Marbella and Andalucía offer something way beyond religion—they’re immersive, unforgettable cultural experiences. If you’re planning a trip in 2025, time it with one of these events and see southern Spain at its most soulful.