Experience a One-of-a-Kind Holy Week in Quito, Ecuador

From April 13 to 20, 2025, the captivating city of Quito invites travelers from around the world to witness and take part in one of Latin America’s most moving and visually stunning Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations. With roots that go back more than 500 years, this week-long observance transforms the Ecuadorian capital into a living canvas of devotion, history, and artistic expression.

Located high in the Andes and recognized as the first UNESCO World Heritage city, Quito offers a deeply immersive experience that brings together faith, tradition, and community. The city’s colonial-era plazas, cobblestone streets, and baroque churches set the stage for an unforgettable spiritual and cultural journey.

Backed by the Municipality of Quito and organized in partnership with the Catholic Church, the city’s Holy Week festivities are designed not only to honor religious traditions but also to welcome international visitors seeking authentic and meaningful travel experiences. In 2024, the Easter period welcomed more than 84,000 visitors and generated $7.6 million in tourism spending—figures expected to grow in 2025.

Signature Events in Quito’s Historic Center

Palm Sunday Procession (April 13)
The Holy Week celebrations begin with a majestic Palm Sunday procession. Starting at the Basilica of the National Vow and ending at the iconic Plaza de San Francisco, this procession commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and features the Blessing of the Palms and a special mass.

Arrastre de Caudas – A Solemn Ritual (April 16)
Unique to Quito, the Arrastre de Caudas is a rare, ancient Roman rite held in the Metropolitan Cathedral. During the ceremony, a large black cape is symbolically dragged over congregants as a gesture of spiritual strength and redemption—an awe-inspiring ritual that takes place nowhere else in the world.

The Great Procession of Jesus of the Great Power (April 18)
One of the largest Holy Week processions in Latin America, this event draws over 150,000 participants and spectators. It begins at the Church of San Francisco and winds through the city with a powerful display of faith, featuring iconic religious characters such as the cucuruchos and verónicas in a moving demonstration of devotion.

Cultural Experiences Beyond the City Center:

Quito’s Holy Week also extends into its surrounding parishes, offering a deeper connection to Ecuador’s living traditions:

Procession of the Andas – Puéllaro (April 15)

Procession of the Devils – La Merced (April 18)

Southern Quito Procession – 7 km through 19 neighborhoods (April 18)

Palm Cantata – Tribuna del Sur (April 18)

Blessing of the Fire – Alangasí (April 19)

Cultural Highlights and Culinary Traditions:

In addition to religious events, Quito offers travelers a chance to experience sacred music, ancestral rituals, and traditional cuisine:

XXIII International Festival of Sacred Music (April 19–27)
Enjoy world-class concerts held in heritage churches and cultural venues across the city.

Fanesca Quiteña: A Culinary Tradition That Unites
This citywide contest celebrates the best versions of fanesca, Ecuador’s signature Holy Week dish, made with 12 grains and salt cod, symbolizing the apostles and Christ.

Floral Cross Installations (April 18)
Ornamental stone crosses in the Historic Center are decorated with floral arrangements in a touching tribute to the season.

In Quito, one of South America's most culturally rich and visually stunning capitals, the arrival of Holy Week brings with it a beloved culinary tradition: Fanesca. This flavorful, symbolic soup is much more than a dish — it's a celebration of Ecuador’s Indigenous roots, Catholic heritage, and strong sense of community.

Fanesca is traditionally prepared and enjoyed during Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter), blending Spanish and Indigenous influences. Its origins trace back to Pawkar Raymi, an ancestral Indigenous festival marking the March equinox and the season of harvest. Over time, Catholic traditions merged with this celebration, resulting in a uniquely Ecuadorian dish that reflects centuries of cultural fusion.

The soup is rich and hearty, made with salted cod, twelve types of grains and legumes, milk, cheese, and other local ingredients — each symbolizing a different aspect of faith and community. The number twelve is especially important, representing the twelve apostles in Christian tradition. Preparing fanesca is often a multi-generational family ritual, passing down recipes and customs that have stood the test of time.

Today, this cherished tradition continues with a modern focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing. Many of the ingredients are grown by small local producers, and efforts are made to reduce food waste, ensuring that fanesca can be enjoyed by future generations without compromising the environment.

To celebrate and preserve this important cultural dish, Quito Tourism and UTE University are hosting the fan-favorite contest, “Fanesca Quiteña: Tradition That Unites.” The competition highlights the most authentic and creative versions of fanesca prepared by restaurants, markets, cafés, and hotels across the city. Twenty finalists will be chosen, and the winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony on April 17 at the Museum of the City.

This Holy Week, discover Quito—where faith, art, and heritage come alive.
With tourism, Quito is reborn.

Source: Visit Quito.