Holy Week in Pampanga: where to go

Holy Week in Pampanga draws thousands of devotees and visitors. Holy Week 2027 runs from Palm Sunday, March 21, to Easter Sunday, March 28.

Holy Wednesday

• Pasyon Serenata, Santa Rita: brass bands and choirs chant the Pasyon to opera tunes in the evening.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

• Penitents in many towns carry crosses, electric posts or banana trunks, or crawl, as acts of devotion.
• Grand Assembly of Penitents, Mabalacat, Good Friday morning.
• Cenakulo in Lourdes Northwest and Santa Teresita, Angeles, late morning.
• Tanghal, Guagua: the taking down of Christ from the cross.
• Paso Procession, Bacolor: families accompany their religious floats.
• Biyernes Santo Procession, Sasmuan.
• San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites, San Fernando: crucifixion re-enactments performed since 1962.

Etiquette

These are acts of faith. Dress modestly, keep a respectful distance from penitents, do not block processions, and ask before photographing people close up.