Holy Week is one of the most important religious celebrations in Mexico. It is celebrated in every town in the country. The most important days are: Palm Sunday, which commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem with songs and palms; Holy Thursday, which celebrates the Last Supper; Good Friday, when representations of the Via Crucis and the crucifixion are performed; Holy Saturday; and Easter Sunday.

Many places are famous for their elaborate celebrations, especially of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. Among the most notable are:

Iztapalapa, Mexico City

On Palm Sunday, houses and streets are filled with flowers, and a procession is held with hundreds of Nazarenes wearing white bands over purple robes. The virgins and women of the town adorn their heads with flower crowns, and both Magdalena and the Virgin wear special attire as they all proceed to bless the palms and branches. Holy Thursday begins in Cuitláhuac Garden, culminating in a procession to the Church of the Lord of the Cave. On Good Friday, an elaborate representation of the sentencing, the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the Via Crucis ends with the crucifixion at Cerro de la Estrella. A set is created, and each of the hundreds of participants takes their role very seriously, with appropriate costumes and speeches.

Taxco, Guerrero

Holy Week in this picturesque town is a tradition dating back to the colonial era, when black slaves brought from Africa and rebellious indigenous people were subjected to torture to instill fear. On Palm Sunday, there is a procession visiting several temples. On Holy Monday, the Procession of the Virgins is held, featuring several images of virgins and penitents walking barefoot in white, accompanied by a short, repetitive melody. On Tuesday, the Procession of the Souls takes place, with various religious images and the brotherhood of penitents divided into three groups: the crossed, the flagellants, and the souls, according to their penance. The penitents carry thorny blackberry canes weighing up to 40 kg tied to their bare torsos and walk barefoot. Holy Wednesday is the Procession of the Holy Trinity, where the image is accompanied by the crossed, dressed in long black robes and hoods. On Holy Thursday, the Last Supper is enacted, and the Procession of the Christs takes place. Good Friday sees the Procession of the Three Falls, the Procession of the Holy Burial, and finally, the Procession of Silence at midnight. Holy Saturday is observed with absolute silence as a demonstration of mourning. On Easter Sunday, the final procession is held with youth Catholic movements.

San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato

On Holy Thursday at five in the afternoon, masses are officiated, followed by the visitation of the seven houses, meaning visiting seven churches. Good Friday involves the representation of Christ’s sentencing, followed by a procession to the garden esplanade. At five in the afternoon, the Procession of the Holy Burial or Procession of Silence begins, led by the Roman army. Jesus is carried by devotees dressed in black suits; the ladies dressed in mourning carry the image of Our Lady of Solitude, followed by young women carrying the remaining images, along with angels bearing the insignias of the Passion. All are accompanied by children and adults singing the "Christus Factus" accompanied by the Valley of Santiago Orchestra. On Holy Saturday at seven in the evening, a condolence ceremony is held for Our Lady of Solitude at the Oratory, followed by the Blessing of the New Fire two hours later. Attendees carry a candle and head to the Temple of San Antonio and other temples. Easter Sunday features the traditional burning of Judas.

Oaxaca, Oaxaca

On the sixth Friday of Lent, known as the Friday of Sorrows, tribute is paid to the mother of Jesus with altars in churches and homes; Alameda de León becomes the gathering place, and the State Band performs a heartfelt repertoire. Palm Sunday is celebrated in the Cathedral. On Holy Tuesday, fresh waters are distributed in the Xochimilco neighborhood of Oaxaca City. Holy Wednesday features the Sign Ceremony in the Cathedral and the Ceremony of Shadows in all Catholic temples. On Holy Thursday morning, the Washing of the Feet ceremony is celebrated in some temples, and in the afternoon, the visitation of the seven houses takes place; the Last Supper is also reenacted, and the Bread is blessed. Good Friday includes the Procession of Silence through the main streets of the city, starting from the Temple of the Precious Blood of Christ.