The Holy week 2025 San Sebastián-San Sebastián is approaching, and with it, a unique opportunity to live intensely the Christian faith in the heart of a city that, although modern and cosmopolitan, preserves a discreet but profound spirituality. Although San Sebastián does not celebrate massive processions like other Spanish cities, its liturgical calendar during Holy Week is full of significant moments that allow believers to connect with the essence of these holy days.
In this article we offer you a complete and updated guide to living the Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián from a religious perspective: liturgical acts, schedules, emblematic spaces and the most important traditions that are still alive in the city. If you are looking for meditation, community and an authentic experience of the Easter Triduum, here you will find everything you need to plan your Holy Week with meaning.
One more year: the silent spirituality of San Sebastián
Unlike other cities in the north or south of Spain, where processions mark the pulse of Holy Week, in San Sebastián the experience of these holy days is manifested in a more collection and staff. This does not mean that the city is left out, but rather that its way of celebrating Easter has adapted to a more sober, intimate style in line with Basque spirituality.
In 2025, the main liturgical celebration spaces will continue to be:
- The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
- The Basilica of Santa María del Coro
- The Church of Saint Vincent
- Parishes of neighborhoods such as Amara Zaharra, Gros, El Antiguo, Intxaurrondo, Altza, and Loyola
Each of them organizes its liturgical events according to the official calendar of the Catholic Church, but with its own characteristics that make them unique for the faithful.
Liturgical calendar of Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián
📅 Palm Sunday – April 13, 2025
The Holy Week 2025 will start with the Palm Sunday, a date long awaited by San Sebastian families. From early in the morning, the city is filled with palms, laurel and olive branches to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Main acts:
- Blessing of bouquets in the atriums of the churches, especially in the Cathedral and Santa María, around 11:30
- solemn mass of Palm Sunday, where the Passion of the Lord is proclaimed
This day has a festive and family character, and many families come together with children, who carry palm trees decorated with ribbons or sweets.
📅 Monday, Tuesday and Holy Wednesday – April 14 to 16
During these days, the city enters a stage of interior preparation. Although there are no large visible events, San Sebastian parishes offer spaces for prayer, silence and confession.
Usual acts:
- Eucharistic adoration in organized shifts
- Individual confessions in all churches
- Lenten talks and short retreats, especially in the Cathedral and San Vicente
It is a perfect time to reconcile with oneself and with God before the Easter Triduum.
📅 Holy Thursday – April 17
He Maundy Thursday It marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, and in San Sebastián it is celebrated with depth and solemnity. The Last Supper and the commandment of brotherly love are remembered.
Featured acts:
- Mass of the Lord’s Supper: in the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd at 6:00 p.m. (presided by the Bishop), and in other parishes between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- foot washing, symbol of Christian service
- Reservation of the Holy at the Monument: the faithful take turns watching and praying until midnight
- Visit to the Monuments: many people visit various churches to pray before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament
This day is lived with a deep sense of community and meditation. The city is immersed in an atmosphere of contemplation, where silence becomes prayer.
📅 Good Friday – April 18
He Good Friday It is the most overwhelming day of Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián. It commemorates the death of Christ and the hope that is born from sacrifice.
🌄 Via Crucis of Mount Urgull – 7:30 a.m.
One of the most unique and moving moments of Holy Week in San Sebastian. Early in the day, a group of faithful gathers behind the Basilica of Santa María and silently ascends the Monte Urgull, stopping at the 14 stations.
- Exit: rear of Santa María del Coro, Old Town
- Duration: aprox. 1h30
- Finish: on the esplanade of the Castillo de la Mota, next to the Sacred Heart
This Way of the Cross is a simple but powerful pilgrimage, where the natural environment and faith are intimately intertwined.
✝️ Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord – 5:00 p.m.
The afternoon liturgy is celebrated in all the churches of the city, composed of:
- Passion Reading
- universal prayer
- Adoration of the cross
- Communion with the forms consecrated the day before
In the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, this liturgy will be presided over by the Bishop. The ceremony, marked by silence and austerity, invites contemplation of the mystery of the cross.
🕯️ Sermon of the Seven Words – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
This traditional sermon is celebrated in the Basilica of Santa María del Coro:
- At 12:00 in Spanish
- At 1:00 p.m. in Basque
It is one of the most anticipated acts by the faithful, with deep meditations on the last words of Jesus on the cross.
🎭 Living Passion in Amara Zaharra – 9:00 p.m.
A popular representation organized by the Mundo Nuevo association and residents of the neighborhood. They recreate scenes from the Passion of Christ on 23 Amara Street.
- Free entry
- About 30-40 people participate
- Lasts approximately 35-40 minutes
It is one of the few public manifestations of Holy Week in San Sebastián and a true example of faith lived in community.
📅 Holy Saturday – April 19
Day of silence and waiting. There is no mass during the day. It is a day of reflection, until night falls and the celebration is celebrated. Easter Vigil.
Easter Vigil:
- Time: between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., depending on the parish
- Featured place: Catedral del Good Shepherd
- Rites: blessing of the fire, paschal candle, proclamation of the readings, renewal of baptismal promises and Eucharist of Resurrection
It is one of the most beautiful celebrations in the liturgical calendar, full of symbolism and hope.
📅 Easter Sunday – April 20
Easter bursts with joy. After the days of passion, comes the celebration of life. All churches celebrate solemn masses with music and flowers.
- Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral: 12:00 h
- Hallelujah songs and festive atmosphere in all the temples
- San Sebastian families also celebrate at home with special meals and the traditional opilla of Easter
The Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián it culminates with a clear message: life triumphs over death, light defeats darkness.
Churches where you can experience Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián
Below is a list of the most recommended churches to experience the religious events of this Holy Week:
🕍 Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
- Nerve center of the diocese
- Large capacity, careful liturgies and Bishop’s mass
🕍 Basilica of Santa María del Coro
- In the heart of the Old Town
- Ideal for the Seven Words Sermon and worship
🕍 Church of Saint Vincent
- The oldest temple in the city
- Secluded atmosphere and sober liturgies
🕍 Parish of Amara Zaharra
- Embrace Living Passion
- Very active and committed community
🕍 Neighborhood parishes (Gros, Intxaurrondo, Altza, Loyola, etc.)
- Closer and community celebrations
- Ideal for those looking to participate in a group
How to live Holy Week as a believer?
The Holy Week 2025 It is not only lived by attending liturgical events, but also from the interior. Some ideas to live it in depth:
- read the gospels of the Passion during the week
- Participate in at least one daily Triduum celebration
- Make a confession and reconcile with yourself and others
- Dedicate moments to silence, prayer and contemplation
- Accompany Jesus at the Monument on the night of Holy Thursday
- Climb Mount Urgull as a personal gesture of penance and prayer
- Live Easter with joy, sharing with loved ones
Conclusion: a sober, lively and spiritual Holy Week
The Holy Week 2025 in San Sebastián-San Sebastián is an invitation to live faith from the depths, without great external manifestations, but with an intensity that only those who sincerely seek know.
Between the Cathedral and Mount Urgull, between the silence of the temples and the excitement of the Easter Vigil, San Sebastián offers a unique space for those who want to experience Holy Week as believers, with meditation, community and hope.
Whatever your experience of faith, this Holy Week can be an opportunity to reconnect with what is essential: the love that is given, the pain that is transformed and the life that is always reborn.
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