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La Voz de Andalucía

Granada Adorns Itself for the Day of the Cross 2026 with a Weekend of Festivities

The Andalusian capital celebrates its most traditional festival with over fifty crosses, music, and cultural activities.

Image of a cross decorated with flowers in a festive street in Granada.
IA

Image of a cross decorated with flowers in a festive street in Granada.

The city of Granada is preparing for an intense weekend of celebrations for the Day of the Cross 2026, one of its most emblematic festivities combining tradition, culture, and a festive atmosphere in its streets and squares.

The Day of the Cross, commemorated every May 3rd, will extend throughout the weekend this year in the Andalusian capital. The festivity will feature a wide range of activities, including the exhibition of over fifty decorated crosses, food and drink stalls, and an extensive cultural program.
This popular festival, where streets, patios, and squares are filled with crosses adorned with flowers, music, and a vibrant atmosphere, has its roots in the 17th century. It was in 1625, in the San Lázaro neighborhood, where a festival centered around a decorated cross was first held, a tradition that quickly spread throughout the city.
The celebration merges religious and pagan elements. On one hand, the cross symbolizes Christian redemption, while on the other, it incorporates ancient spring festivities linked to fertility and nature. Over time, the festive aspect has gained prominence over the religious, maintaining curious symbols such as the apple with scissors, which encourages not to find 'faults' with the decoration.
This year's official poster for 2026, created by the Granadan artist Eduardo Gorlat Gutiérrez, is rich in symbolism. It combines Nasrid motifs, typical flowers like carnations and orange blossoms, references to Fajalauza ceramics, the Vase of the Gazelles from the Alhambra, and the city's key, in addition to alluding to Granada's candidacy as European Capital of Culture in 2031.
A total of 53 crosses have been registered for the official competition organized by the Granada City Council. Additionally, the traditional Municipal Cross will be located in the Plaza del Carmen. To facilitate visits, an interactive application has been developed that functions as a map and offers detailed information about each of the crosses.
The Granada City Council has designed a varied program that will primarily be concentrated in the Plaza del Carmen. On May 2nd, the Patio del Ayuntamiento will host the proclamation of the Day of the Cross and the awards ceremony for the cross decoration competition. The Plaza del Carmen and the Explanada del Palacio de Congresos will be stages for flamenco performances, regional dances, and a sevillanas gala with various groups.
On May 3rd, the Plaza del Carmen will continue with performances by choirs and flamenco schools, while the Plaza de las Pasiegas will offer a concert by the Municipal Music Band, thus concluding a weekend full of art and tradition.

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