Religious festivals & traditions
Easter processions in Palma: Processó de la Sang and Encontre
Last checked: October 2026
On Maundy Thursday, 33 brotherhoods with 45 pasos process through the old town to the cathedral.
The short answer
What are the Easter processions in Palma?
Palma has three key Easter events: the Processó de la Sang on Maundy Thursday evening with dozens of brotherhoods and thousands of participants, the silent Sant Enterrament (Holy Burial) procession on Good Friday, and the Encontre on Easter Sunday morning, when the figures of Christ and Mary meet. All the processions pass through the old town around La Seu and Plaça del Mercat.
Date confirmed March April
Quick facts
- When
- Maundy Thursday 2026: 2 April · 2027: 25 March
- Where
- Old town of Palma de Mallorca
- Duration
- Processó de la Sang around three hours
- Admission
- free
- Who it's for
- City break travellers, culture lovers, photographers
- Special feature
- The largest Holy Week procession in the Balearic Islands
- Date rule
- Movable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday of the respective Holy Week.
- Public holiday
- yes, statutory public holiday
Note on currency
This information is updated before each season, in particular times, route and the order of the brotherhoods.
Location: old town of Palma de Mallorca.
Processó de la Sang on Maundy Thursday
The procession of the Christ of the Blood (Crist de la Sang) is the largest on the island. Dozens of brotherhoods process through the old town with their figures, candles and drums; participants number in the thousands, and the procession takes several hours to complete its circuit.
The starting point is the church of the Hospital General near Plaça de l'Hospital; the route runs through the central lanes of the old town and the area around Plaça del Mercat.
Good Friday in Palma
On Good Friday the tone is different: the Sant Enterrament procession is smaller, slower and without music. If you experienced the force of the previous day, here you see the silent counterpart.
Encontre on Easter Sunday
On Easter morning two processions set off separately and meet in one of the squares of the old town. The black veil of the figure of Mary falls, bells ring and a brass band plays. The Encontre is short, bright and the most family-friendly event of the week.
Best places to watch
The narrow lanes of the old town give the most intense views but fill up fastest. If you need space, stand along the wider sections.
- Plaça del Mercat and surroundings: intense atmosphere, fills up early
- Passeig del Born: more space, good view of the passing procession
- Near La Seu: the most beautiful backdrop for photos at the start and end
Tips for your visit
- For the Sang procession, pick your spot around an hour before it starts – after that the route is packed.
- Comfortable shoes: the old town is cobbled throughout.
- Use public transport – access roads to the old town are closed.
- In the rain, processions may be postponed or cancelled.
Who is it worth it for?
A good fit for:
- City break travellers
- Photographers
- Anyone with only one evening
Less suitable for:
- Anyone who avoids crowds
- Families with pushchairs on the Sang route
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Frequently asked questions
When does the Processó de la Sang start?
On Maundy Thursday in the early evening. The City of Palma announces the exact start time each year; you should be there around an hour beforehand.
Where is the best place to watch?
For intense views, the lanes around Plaça del Mercat; for more space, the Passeig del Born; for photos, the area near La Seu Cathedral.
Are the processions free?
Yes, all processions in Palma are open to the public and free.
What happens if it rains?
The brotherhoods decide at short notice. In persistent rain the procession is shortened or cancelled, as the historic figures must not get wet.
Next steps
This page belongs to the topic area Religious festivals & traditions and can be found at /en-gb/osterprozessionen-palma.