Holy Week 2025 - Dates, Traditions, and Events Around the World

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week is the most important period in the Christian calendar, marking the final days of Jesus Christ's life, crucifixion, and resurrection. It begins on Palm Sunday and concludes with Easter Sunday. Many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches, observe this week with religious ceremonies, prayers, and fasting.

Holy Week 2025 Dates

In 2025, Holy Week falls from April 13 to April 19 for most Western Christian churches following the Gregorian calendar. However, Orthodox Christians, using the Julian calendar, will observe Holy Week from April 20 to April 26, 2025.

Key Dates for Western Christianity (Gregorian Calendar)

• Palm Sunday – April 13, 2025
• Holy Monday – April 14, 2025
• Holy Tuesday – April 15, 2025
• Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) – April 16, 2025
• Maundy Thursday – April 17, 2025
• Good Friday – April 18, 2025
• Holy Saturday – April 19, 2025
• Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025

Key Dates for Orthodox Christianity (Julian Calendar)

• Palm Sunday – April 20, 2025
• Holy Monday – April 21, 2025
• Holy Tuesday – April 22, 2025
• Holy Wednesday (Great and Holy Wednesday) – April 23, 2025
• Maundy Thursday – April 24, 2025
• Good Friday – April 25, 2025
• Holy Saturday – April 26, 2025
• Easter Sunday – April 27, 2025

Holy Week Traditions and Events

Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025 / April 20, 2025)

• Marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.
• Churches distribute palm branches to symbolize the palm leaves laid before Jesus.
• Catholic and Protestant churches hold processions and special Mass services.
• In Spain, Semana Santa processions begin, featuring large religious floats (pasos) and participants in traditional robes (Nazarenos).
• In the Philippines, Palm Sunday is known as Domingo de Ramos, with palm-waving ceremonies.

Holy Monday (April 14, 2025 / April 21, 2025)

• Commemorates Jesus' cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem.
• Some churches conduct readings of the Gospel passages about Jesus driving out merchants.

Holy Tuesday (April 15, 2025 / April 22, 2025)

• Observes Jesus' prophecies about his betrayal and second coming.
• In Spain and Latin America, processions continue, often featuring scenes of Jesus' suffering.

Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) (April 16, 2025 / April 23, 2025)

• Marks Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
• Some Catholic traditions include Tenebrae services, symbolizing darkness and mourning.

Maundy Thursday (April 17, 2025 / April 24, 2025)

• Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.
• Catholic and Anglican churches perform the Washing of the Feet, reenacting Jesus' humility.
• Mass of the Lord’s Supper is held, followed by Eucharistic Adoration.
• In Rome, the Pope washes the feet of prisoners, refugees, or the poor.
• In Germany and Austria, people bake Maundy Bread (Gründonnerstagssuppe).

Good Friday (April 18, 2025 / April 25, 2025)

• Commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
• Day of fasting and solemn reflection for Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
• Churches hold Stations of the Cross, reenacting Jesus' journey to Calvary.
• In the Philippines, some devotees engage in self-flagellation and reenact crucifixions.
• In Seville, Spain, elaborate processions of religious icons take place.
• No Mass is celebrated, but the Passion of Christ readings take place.

Holy Saturday (April 19, 2025 / April 26, 2025)

• Represents Jesus’ time in the tomb before resurrection.
• Easter Vigil services occur in the evening, featuring candlelight processions.
• Orthodox Christians bless Paschal candles and prepare for Easter feasts.
• In Poland and Eastern Europe, people bring Easter baskets (Święconka) to churches for blessings.

Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025 / April 27, 2025)

• Celebrates Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
• The most important Christian feast day, symbolizing hope and renewal.
• Churches hold sunrise services and special Masses.
• Easter egg hunts and Easter feasts take place worldwide.
• In Greece, people celebrate with fireworks and the traditional lamb roast.
• Orthodox Christians greet each other with "Christ is risen!" ("Χριστός Ανέστη!"), responding with "Truly, He is risen!" ("Αληθώς Ανέστη!").

Holy Week Around the World

Spain – Semana Santa Processions

• Cities like Seville, Málaga, and Granada hold massive religious parades.
• Participants in Nazareno robes carry large religious statues (pasos).

Italy – Vatican City & Rome

• The Pope leads the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum.
• Thousands gather at St. Peter’s Basilica for Easter Mass.

Philippines – Devotional Reenactments

• Self-flagellation and mock crucifixions occur in San Fernando, Pampanga.
• Pabasa ng Pasyon, a chanting of Christ’s passion, takes place.

Greece – Orthodox Easter Celebrations

• Fireworks at midnight on Holy Saturday.
• Red eggs symbolize Christ’s blood and resurrection.

Mexico – Passion Plays and Processions

• The Passion of Christ is reenacted in Iztapalapa, Mexico City.
• Large-scale processions take place in Taxco and San Luis Potosí.

Brazil – Catholic Processions

• Rio de Janeiro and Salvador hold Via Crucis processions.
• In Ouro Preto, historical churches stage Passion plays.

Colombia – Holy Week in Popayán

• The city of Popayán is known for its UNESCO-listed religious processions.

Guatemala – Alfombras de Semana Santa

• Streets are decorated with colored sawdust carpets (alfombras).
• The city of Antigua Guatemala holds one of the most spectacular processions.

Poland – Easter Basket Blessings (Święconka)

• Families bring baskets of food to churches for blessings on Holy Saturday.
• Easter Monday (Śmigus-Dyngus) is a water fight tradition.

United Kingdom – Good Friday Processions

• Cities like London, York, and Liverpool hold Stations of the Cross reenactments.
• Hot Cross Buns, symbolizing the crucifixion, are traditionally eaten.

Germany – Passion Plays and Easter Fires

• Towns like Oberammergau are famous for their Passion Plays.
• In northern Germany, Easter bonfires symbolize Christ’s resurrection.

United States – Easter Parades and Sunrise Services

• New York’s Fifth Avenue Easter Parade is a famous event.
• Sunrise services are held across the country, including at the Lincoln Memorial.

France – Processions in Corsica and Lourdes Pilgrimages

• Rituals in Corsica feature hooded penitents.
• Lourdes welcomes thousands of pilgrims for Holy Week.

Ethiopia – Orthodox Easter (Fasika)

• Celebrations include long fasting and a midnight church service.
• Injera and Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) are eaten on Easter Sunday.

India – Good Friday Observances

• Kerala and Goa have Passion plays and processions.
• Churches conduct special Masses and prayers.

Australia – Easter Weekend Festivities

• Sydney and Melbourne hold Good Friday reenactments.
• Families gather for Easter egg hunts and seafood feasts.

Holy Week in 2025

Is Holy Week a Public Holiday?

• Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, including the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and the Philippines.
• Some countries also observe Easter Monday as a public holiday.

What Should I Avoid During Holy Week?

• Many Christian traditions emphasize fasting, abstinence from meat, and avoiding celebrations or loud music.

When is Easter 2025?

• Easter Sunday falls on April 20, 2025, for Western Christians and April 27, 2025, for Orthodox Christians.

Holy Week 2025 is an important time for reflection, prayer, and celebration for millions around the world. Whether you observe through church services, fasting, or cultural traditions, this sacred period holds deep significance.