Just as Christmas fills Tudela with lights and family celebrations, Holy Week offers a time of reflection and devotion, culminating in joy on Easter Sunday.
This festival combines religious celebrations, solemn processions, and popular ceremonies, highlighting events such as the Passion Play, the Breaking of the Hour, the Procession of the Holy Burial, the Volatín Ceremony, the Descent of the Angel, the Procession of the Encounter, and the Gathering of Brotherhoods. These celebrations reflect the history, culture, and identity of Tudela and have been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
Holy Week 2026 in Tudela
Holy Week 2026 in Tudela will be celebrated from Sunday, March 29th to Sunday, April 5th, 2026. Following tradition, the program will maintain the city’s most representative events, respecting their chronological order and the spirit of the festivities:
- Palm Sunday (March 29): opening of Holy Week with the blessing of palms and the first processions in the city.
- Holy Monday and Tuesday (March 30 and 31): processions of brotherhoods and Stations of the Cross, preparing the city for the solemn events of midweek.
- Holy Wednesday (April 1): Reenactment of the Passion of Christ, recreating the episodes of the entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the Trial of Pontius Pilate and the Way of Calvary.
- Holy Thursday (April 2): Rompida de la Hora y Traslado de pasos (Breaking of the Hour and transfers of brotherhoods), accompanied by bass drums and drums and contemplation.
- Good Friday (April 3): Way of the Cross, Meeting of the Virgin of Sorrows with the Ecce Homo and Procession of the Holy Burial, the most solemn and emotional day of Holy Week.
- Holy Saturday (April 4): Ceremonía del Volatín y Bautizo del Cabezudo (Volatín Ceremony and Baptism of the Big-Headed Figure), popular events that combine tradition and fun.
- Easter Sunday (April 5): Descent of the Angel, the culminating moment that closes Holy Week with joy, hope and participation of all the residents of Tudela.
As in previous years, all activities are subject to change depending on the organization of the brotherhoods and the Tudela City Council, but it is expected that the traditional structure combining religious devotion, theatricality and popular participation will be maintained.
Holy Week Guide in Tudela
Bautismo de la Cabeza Grande (Concentration of Bass Drums and Drums)
The Drum and Bass Drum Parade marks the beginning of Holy Week celebrations in Tudela, taking place every year on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. On this day, bands from Tudela and other towns in Navarre, Aragon, and La Rioja parade through the city center to the Plaza de los Fueros, playing their drums with great passion and creating an atmosphere of devotion and community participation. This event strengthens local folk culture and the tradition of drums and bass drums, bringing together generations of musicians and spectators in a shared experience.
Palm Sunday: Opening and blessing of palms
Holy Week in Tudela begins with the celebration of Palm Sunday. On this day, the traditional blessing of palms and olive branches takes place, symbolically marking the entrance of the faithful into Holy Week and commemorating Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.
In Tudela, this celebration is experienced in a very special way through the Palm Sunday procession, which begins inside the cloisters of the Cathedral of Santa María. From there, the procession proceeds through the Puerta del Juicio (Gate of Judgment) and continues its route to the entrance on Calle Bóveda, accompanied by numerous residents and families who fill the historic center.
During the procession, the faithful accompany the image carrying palms and olive branches. The participation of the youngest members of the community is particularly noteworthy, as they keep alive a cherished local tradition: decorating their palms with sweets and candies.
Palm Sunday in Tudela thus represents the official start of the days of reflection, devotion and tradition, uniting the liturgical with a strong popular involvement that anticipates the intensity of the events that will take place throughout Holy Week.
Holy Monday: transfers of the floats of the brotherhoods
Holy Monday in Tudela is marked by the processions of the Brotherhood of the Passion of Our Lord and the Brotherhood of the Encounter, two events that signal the start of the religious brotherhood processions through the city streets. As night falls, both brotherhoods depart from their respective headquarters and process through the historic center in an atmosphere of silence, contemplation, and reverence, accompanied by the deep beat of drums.
The routes pass through some of Tudela’s most emblematic streets and squares, culminating at the Cathedral of Santa María. This destination holds special significance, as it is in the Cathedral where the various processional floats gradually gather, ready for the grand Procession of the Holy Burial on Good Friday.
These processions not only serve an organizational function within Tudela’s Holy Week celebrations, but also allow residents and visitors to experience firsthand the preparations for the most solemn events. The nighttime atmosphere, the soft lighting of the streets, and the participation of the brotherhoods transform Holy Monday into a special day, creating the solemn atmosphere characteristic of the central days of Holy Week.
Holy Tuesday: Traslado de pasos (transfers of the floats of the brotherhoods)
On Holy Tuesday, traslado de la Cofradía del Descendimiento (the Brotherhood of the Descent from the Cross is transferred) through the streets of the city center, accompanied by the other members of the brotherhood. These events prepare the way for the more solemn days of Holy Week.
Holy Wednesday: Reenactment of the Passion of Christ
On Holy Wednesday, the Passion Play takes place, one of the most important theatrical performances of Holy Week in Tudela. The reenactment winds through various squares and streets of the old town, recreating the key episodes of the Passion:
- Entrance to Jerusalem on Vault Street
- Last Supper in Mercadal Square
- Prayer in the Garden of Olives in San Salvador Square
- Sanhedrin Trial and Denials of Saint Peter in Yehuda Ha-Levi Square
- Trial of Pontius Pilate in Plaza Vieja
- Way of the Cross and Crucifixion in Pontarrón and Portal
- Death and Resurrection of Christ in La Magdalena: local residents and actors perform the episodes in historical costumes, offering the public an immersive and educational experience that combines theatricality, devotion, and tradition.
Holy Thursday: Rompida de la Hora y traslados de Cofradías (Breaking of the Hour and transfers of brotherhoods)
Holy Thursday begins with the emblematic Rompida de la Hora (
Breaking of the Hour) in the Old Square, a solemn act in which the beating of drums evokes the death of Christ and generates an atmosphere of reflection and respect.
In the afternoon, the Brotherhood of the Prayer of Christ in the Garden takes to the streets, processing through the heart of Tudela to the Cathedral. These processions allow residents to observe and accompany the religious images as they approach the culminating moments of Holy Week.
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross, Encounter of Our Lady of Sorrows – Ecce Homo and Procession of the Holy Burial
Good Friday combines devotion, solemnity, and drama. In the morning, the Stations of the Cross to the Sacred Heart of Jesus take place, a procession of reflection and prayer. Mid-morning, the Encounter of Our Lady of Sorrows with the Ecce Homo occurs, a symbolic act representing both sorrow and hope, with the participation of all the local brotherhoods and bands.
In the afternoon, the Procession of the Holy Burial winds its way through the main streets of Tudela, starting at the Cathedral, passing through the Portal, Plaza San Nicolás, Plaza de San Salvador, Herrerías, Carnicerías, Plaza Vieja, and returning to the Cathedral. It is one of the most majestic events of Holy Week, featuring floats, banners, and ceremonial music that evoke the Passion and death of Christ.
Holy Saturday: Ceremonía del Volatín y Bautizo del Cabezudo (Volatín Ceremony and Baptism of the Big-Headed Figure)
Holy Saturday is the day of the Volatín, Tudela’s most unique and popular ceremony. In the Plaza de los Fueros, a wooden figure known as the Volatín spins frenetically after a firecracker explodes in its mouth, losing its clothing as locals participate by throwing balls, sweets, and balloons from the balconies of the Clock House. The ceremony combines tradition and fun for children, connecting generations and evoking the city’s history.
During that same day, the Baptism of the Big-Headed Figure is celebrated in the Session Hall of the City Hall, where the figure is given to a prominent person of Holy Week in Tudela, another tradition that symbolizes the continuity of local popular culture.
Easter Sunday: Bajada del Ángel (Descent of the Angel of Tudela)
Easter Sunday begins with the historic parade of the Halberdier Honor Guard, recreating a tradition documented since 1582. Later, the Ceremony of the Descent of the Angel is celebrated in the Plaza de los Fueros, where the child who embodies the Angel descends to the Virgin, symbolizing the Resurrection of Christ.
After the ceremony, the Angel Procession moves towards the Cathedral, where Mass is celebrated and the child representing the Angel receives their First Communion along with their family. This event culminates Holy Week in Tudela with joy, celebration, and the participation of all the town’s residents.
During the day, it’s traditional for families and groups of friends to gather and celebrate, sharing meals in orchards or in the countryside. It’s one of the most anticipated and popular days of the year for everyone in Tudela, a day meant for spending time together and enjoying the company of family and friends.
The Volatín: history, meaning and living tradition
The Volatín Ceremony is one of the most unique and anticipated events of Holy Week in Tudela, with documented roots dating back at least to the 18th century and a popular tradition that has been part of the city’s life for more than six centuries.
Historical origin and meaning
The Volatín tradition is linked to the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, established in Tudela for the worship of the sacrament in the Late Middle Ages. The current ceremony has clear references dating back to 1851, when it was celebrated in the Plaza de los Fueros, although its origins are even older.
This act symbolically represents the desperate death of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Christ. The articulated wooden puppet—the Volatín—dressed ridiculously in an outfit alluding to current events or debates in the city, appears from the balcony of the Clock House.
At 10:00 a.m. on Holy Saturday, the firecracker in the effigy’s mouth is lit, and its explosion sets off the frenetic movement of the puppet, which spins on a wheel until it is completely stripped of its clothing. This ritualized gesture symbolizes the fall of Judas and his social and spiritual rejection, and connects with the idea of the community’s purification just before the Resurrection.
Annual attire and messages
One of the most anticipated aspects of the Volatín is that it dresses differently each year, with outfits that usually carry a social, cultural, or current affairs message (for example, allusions to peace, solidarity, equality, or even tributes to groups or victims of recent events). The message is usually kept secret until the ceremony, which increases the anticipation and public participation.
This element transforms tradition into a living act, adapting its symbolism to the reality of the current year and uniting history, social criticism, and community celebration.
The Volatín’s proclamation
Since approximately 1990, the Volatín ceremony has been preceded by an official proclamation in the Plaza de los Fueros, in which a prominent figure from Tudela—local, cultural, or professional—offers a few words to open the event. This introduction acknowledges the value of the tradition and invites the community to share in the experience.
The Descent of the Angel: an ancient tradition and the figure of the angel
The Descent of the Angel is another of the most emotional and ancient acts of Holy Week in Tudela, as old as the Volatín ceremony and with documented records from at least the 13th century.
Historical origin and symbolism
The tradition originated within the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the devotion to the Eucharist, with the aim of celebrating and proclaiming the resurrection of Christ in a visual and symbolic way. Originally, the ceremony took place in the Plaza Vieja (Old Square), but since 1851 it has been celebrated in the Plaza de los Fueros (Square of the Charters), a space that has witnessed this centuries-old rite.
The scene depicts the Archangel Gabriel announcing the Resurrection to the Virgin Mary, standing before her image, which is covered with a black veil as a sign of mourning. As he descends, the angel lifts the veil while exclaiming, “Rejoice, Mary, for your Son has risen!” symbolizing the transition from sorrow to Easter joy.
The Angel’s Choice and Rehearsals
The person who plays the angel is traditionally a boy or girl from Tudela, chosen several months in advance. The selection process usually involves registration and selection by the Descent of the Angel Organization and the Association of Brotherhoods, and includes a program of weekly rehearsals that prepare the child to descend naturally and safely on the rope to reach the Virgin, in what is an act of great symbolism and responsibility.
This preparation, which includes training on the gesture of the descent and the pronunciation of the traditional message, extends over several weeks prior to Easter, making the Angel not only a symbolic role, but also a moment of personal growth for the one who represents him.
In addition, each year a substitute angel is appointed, who would have the responsibility of representing the Angel of the Year in case the latter is unable to participate.
Trials and community participation
In the weeks leading up to the event, the child who will portray the Angel and their alternate participate in rehearsals that are much more than simple technical training. These rehearsals take place at the homes of the families responsible for dressing and caring for the Angel’s costume, who also guide the children as they become familiar with the harness, the rope, and the descent position.
In these practices, the children review the descent movement, the use of the harness and the gestures they will have to make during the ceremony, so that when the real moment of the Descent of the Angel arrives, everything is done naturally and safely.
Historical continuity
Although the ceremony has suffered occasional interruptions throughout its long history —for example between 1809 and 1813 during the War of Independence, in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or due to adverse weather conditions—, it has persisted for more than six centuries, demonstrating the strength of the tradition and the affection that the people of Tudela have for it.
Connection with the identity of Tudela
Both the Volatín and the Bajada del Ángel are inseparable cultural and religious symbols of Holy Week in Tudela. Declared Festivals of National Tourist Interest in 2002, they form a link between the city’s history and its present, combining faith, theater, popular participation, and collective memory.
These ceremonies not only represent biblical events, but also moments of social cohesion that bring together generations in a square —the Plaza de los Fueros— where tradition lives on every year with the same intensity as hundreds of years ago.
