Happy Easter weekend in Santander! Since April 4th and 5th fall over Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, expect some parades and closures, but there are some great cultural events still running, including closing shows at the Puppet Festival and some theatre.
See our top picks
Holy Saturday Processions
City of Santander
Watch the magnificent traditional Easter processions downtown on Saturday.
Draw Me a Word (Ciclo Family)
Ciclo Family Venue
A moving theatre performance exploring creativity, perfect for an indoor afternoon.
Bunji the Little Koala (Bunji, la pequeña Koala)
III Festival Internacional de Títeres y Objetos de Santander
A sweet puppet show concluding the international festival on Saturday.
· April 4
4: This is the closing performance of the International Puppet Festival. It's about Bunji, a koala whose very low energy levels drive her whole tribe crazy. If you have younger kids, this puppet show should be perfect.This is a great closing show for the International Puppet Festival happening just this Saturday.
LARARIO, THE HOUSE OF LARES AND PENATES : This is a didactic activity focused on the Lararium, which was the altar in Roman homes dedicated to the Lares and Penates—the household guardian deities. Great for slightly older kids interested in history.It's a unique, one-off educational activity running all weekend exploring Roman home life.
HOLY SATURDAY PROCESSIONSFREE : It's Holy Saturday, and the city streets will be alive with the traditional Easter processions featuring floats and religious figures. It's a huge cultural event in Spain and free to watch from the sidelines.This is a massive, unique cultural event happening right in Santander on Saturday.
HOLY SATURDAY OBSERVANCESFREE : This is Holy Saturday, a major public holiday. While you may see processions, be aware that many smaller businesses or non-festival venues might be closed.It's the first day of the target weekend and a major public holiday, impacting what else is open.
· April 5
3: This is an emotional journey exploring resilience, the fight for education rights, and the power of creativity as an expression tool. Check this listing for the Ciclo Family version.It is running the entire weekend, offering a deep, creative theatre option for families on Sunday.
: This is another listing for 'Draw Me a Word,' running at Teatro Escena Miriñaque, specifically geared towards older kids and teens. If your child is 10+, this theatre performance is an excellent option for Sunday.This version specifies an older age range (10-18), perfect for families with tweens/teens, and provides a price point.
FREE : It is Easter Sunday, the culmination of Holy Week. Expect some city celebrations, religious services, and potentially more processions depending on local tradition. A major public holiday.It's Easter Sunday, a massive cultural day in Santander worth noting for family planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Santander this weekend?
The best free activity explicitly listed for this weekend is watching the spectacular Holy Saturday Processions downtown on Saturday, April 4th. Easter Sunday (April 5th) is also a public holiday with potential city events.
Are there any theatre shows for kids on April 4th or 5th?
Yes, there are two options for 'Draw Me a Word' running both days, one listed at Ciclo Family and another geared toward older children (10+) at Teatro Escena Miriñaque. The puppet show Bunji the Little Koala is also on Saturday.
What is happening culturally related to the dates?
The weekend covers Holy Saturday (April 4th) and Easter Sunday (April 5th), meaning families can observe the traditional Semana Santa Processions throughout Saturday.