Easter, the most important holiday in the Christian calendar, will be celebrated in the Lake Chapala area throughout the coming week with devotional services and a series of traditional Passion Play events that bring religious doctrine and Scripture to life.
A highlight of Semana Santa (Holy Week), from April 13-20, will be dramatic representations of the Passion of Christ, staged by amateur theater groups in collaboration with local churches. The formats and schedules of the pageants vary from place to place, each reflecting the hard work, creativity, and deep religious faith of hundreds of volunteers. These volunteers take on roles as actors, set builders, costume makers, makeup artists, stagehands, technicians, and support staff.
The calendar below lists scheduled programs in Chapala, San Antonio, and Ajijic. For events in San Juan Cosalá, Jocotepec, and other local areas, please consult local churches and neighbors.
Please note that the start times for live performances may be flexible, and spectators often gather an hour or more in advance to secure the best viewing spots. Those attending are advised to bring water or hydration beverages, apply sunscreen, and wear lightweight clothing, hats, and sturdy walking shoes for navigating rough terrain during moving sequences.
Motorists should expect traffic delays when these events are taking place. Residents are encouraged to help by keeping parked vehicles off streets along procession routes.
Sunday, April 13
Domingo de Ramos
(Palm Sunday)
CHAPALA: Palm Sunday Procession, 11:20 a.m., from parking lot at the end of Ramón Corona, to the Mass at the San Francisco parish via the Malecón. Blessing of palms during Sunday services at all churches and chapels.
AJIJIC: Pasión de Cristo committee hosts the Jamaica del Pasado typical village fair, 4-10 p.m. at the plaza; Passion Play cast principals reenact the Palm Sunday procession, with blessing of palms at Seis Esquinas, 6:30 p.m., continuing east via Hidalgo-Parroquia for 7 p.m. Mass at the San Andres atrium.
SAN ANTONIO: Palm Sunday procession departs the waterfront Malecón, 6:30 p.m., following Calles San José and Ramón Corona to the San Antonio parish for evening Mass.
Thursday, April 17
Jueves Santo
(Maundy Thursday)
CHAPALA: Visits to Seven Temples, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Evening Mass Last Supper service, 7 p.m., San Francisco parish; Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 8 p.m. to Midnight, all churches.
AJIJIC: Last Supper service, 7 p.m., San Andrés atrium; Passion Play Last Supper scene, 8:15 p.m., Malecón between Calles Aquiles Serdán and 5 de Febrero; Passion Play scenes, Garden of Gethsemane and arrest of Jesus, mountainside site at the top of Calle Aquiles Serdán-Tempisque, 9 p.m., continues with torch light march to the plaza for trial by the Sanhedrin, 10 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO: Washing of Feet service, 7 p.m. at the San Antonio parish; Passion Play sequences of the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest and trials, 8:30 p.m., staged at the Teatro del Pueblo, Cuauhtémoc school opposite the church,
Friday, April 18
Viernes Santo
(Good Friday)
CHAPALA: Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession, 9 a.m., San Francisco Parish via Avenida Madero to Capilla La Purisima, Calle Pino Suárez; Celebration of the Seven Words, 3 p.m., San Francisco parish and Capilla del Carmen; Passion of Christ service and Adoration of the Cross, 7 p.m.; March of Silence, 8 p.m., starts at the parish; Condolence Rosary service, 9 p.m., at the parish.
AJIJIC: Passion Play scenes, 11 a.m., San Andrés atrium, judgement by Pontius Pilate and Herod, sentencing, and flagellation, continues with Via Crucis via Calles Parroquia-Hildago, Juárez, Angel Flores and Tempisque to mountainside Crucifixion site, ending with Christ’s body carried back to San Andrés for burial. Liturgical celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Adoration of the Cross, 7 p.m., San Andrés parish, followed by Marcha de Silencio circling the center of town.
SAN ANTONIO: Viacrucis Viviente begins Calle Ramón Corona at Arroyo Hondo, 10:30 a.m., heading west across town, turning up Colón for the Crucifixion scene in vacant lot adjacent to the highway; Marcha de Silencio leaves the parish, 8 p.m., passing by four street corner crosses.
Saturday, April 19
Sábado Santo
(Holy Saturday)
CHAPALA: Easter Vigil Service, 9 p.m., San Francisco Parish; Quema de Judas effigies blown up outside City Hall around 11 p.m.
AJIJIC: New Fire Blessing, 8:30 p.m., Malecón at Ramón Corona, continuing with Easter Vigil service and Resurrection scene, San Andrés atrium; Quema de Judas effigies ignited at the plaza, around 11 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO: Blessing of the New Fire ceremony 9 p.m., at the Malecón, followed by a procession to the parish for the Easter Vigil and Resurrection service.
Sunday, April 20
Domingo de Pascua
(Easter Sunday)
Easter Sunday is a day of Holy obligation for the faithful who attend Mass of Resurrection services scheduled at local churches throughout the day.