Date Visited: April 18, 2025
Location: Calle Grande, Adeje, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Author: Anna Isakova | @anissa.online
As a travel blogger always searching for cultural gems, this Easter I found myself deeply moved by one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever seen – La Pasión de Adeje in Tenerife. Held every Good Friday, this live dramatization of the Passion of Christ transforms the historic town of Adeje into a grand open-air stage.
This isn’t just a religious procession. It’s an emotional reenactment, combining music, dance, theater, and stunning historical costumes to tell the story from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion of Christ – culminating on Golgotha, framed by the mountains of Tenerife. Here’s everything you need to know if you want to experience this breathtaking Easter celebration.
What is La Pasión de Adeje?
La Pasión is a highly detailed dramatization of the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life. With hundreds of actors, musicians, dancers, and townspeople in costume, Adeje becomes a time capsule — carrying you back to Biblical Jerusalem. The quality of the production, the emotional storytelling, and the sheer realism (without ever crossing into violence) left the entire crowd breathless.
When and Where It Happens
La Pasión takes place every Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday. In 2025, it was held on April 18.
- The event begins at 11:00 AM with the Procession of the Nazareno del Perdón starting from La Viña Hermitage (Ermita de La Viña) to Santa Úrsula Church.
- At 12:00 PM, the main Passion dramatization begins descending from Santa Úrsula Church down Calle Grande, toward the roundabout.
- After the Last Supper scene at the roundabout, the story ascends back up the street, returning toward the church for the final scenes.
- The powerful climax – the Crucifixion – is staged in the courtyard behind Santa Úrsula Church, with three wooden crosses silhouetted by the Tenerife mountains.
👉 For official program details, always check the Adeje City website, where they publish the complete schedule in advance.
My Tips for Visiting La Pasión de Adeje
1. Be on the Right Side of Calle Grande!
This is so important. Most people don’t realize it until it’s too late — you need to choose the correct side of Calle Grande from the beginning. The scenes are staged only on one side of the street, and if you end up behind the stages, you won’t see anything.
🚨 Once the performance starts, you can’t change sides, especially in the middle section of the street. You can only move near the roundabout (where there’s a bit more space), or possibly up by the top screen near the church – but only if the police allow it.
If you want to see every detail, from Christ’s arrest to the Crucifixion, make sure you are standing facing the stages, not behind them.
2. Parking – Plan Ahead
The center of Adeje is completely closed off on Good Friday, and nearby parking fills up fast. I recommend leaving your car along the paved road before entering the town, and walking in. It’s about 10–15 minutes on foot.
3. Scenes & Viewpoints
The story begins at the roundabout with the Last Supper, Mary Magdalene’s monologue, and emotional musical performances. It then travels back up Calle Grande with scenes like Christ’s torture in jail, the betrayal, the trial, the walk with the cross — and finishes with the Crucifixion in the church courtyard.
The level of detail is incredible: many live goats walked along the procession, giving the town a Biblical atmosphere. Some of them even had enormous udders – a tribute to Tenerife’s legendary goat cheese (queso de cabra), my favorite!
What to Be Aware Of
1. Crowds & Movement Restrictions
Calle Grande may sound spacious, but on Good Friday it’s completely packed. With narrow sidewalks, terrace cafés, and crowds standing shoulder-to-shoulder, it’s almost impossible to move once the dramatization begins.
Unfortunately, this means you may miss some key scenes — like I did. I couldn’t see Judas’ hanging, since the stage was turned to the other side. Luckily, my mom and I split up to film different angles so we could piece together the full experience.
There are two large screens – one at the bottom roundabout and one near the church – but surprisingly none in the middle of the street, where most people stand. I really wish they would install a third screen next year.
✅ Pro tip: Watch the live broadcast on the official Adeje website while you’re there – it’s super helpful when you’re stuck behind a crowd or can’t see clearly.
2. How to See the Crucifixion
The final scene behind the church is absolutely packed — and breathtaking. I ended up climbing into a raised flower bed filled with sharp aloe plants to get a better view. My legs got scratched, but it was worth it for the footage I captured.
And to the tall, kind man from Germany who let me squeeze through to film — thank you! I was filming the incredibly emotional part of Christ’s torture in jail at that moment, and your help made all the difference.
Why You Should Experience It
Even if you’re not religious, this performance is a deeply emotional cultural experience. It blends the heart of Tenerife with centuries of tradition, and the result is something unforgettable.
From authentic costumes, live animals, and soulful performances, to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, La Pasión de Adeje is not just a show – it’s a living act of faith, community, and art.
👉 By the way, every year Adeje offers the opportunity to take part in the performance as an actor. Maybe next time I’ll be in it — who knows? =)
Final Thoughts
If you’re in Tenerife during Easter, don’t miss this. Just remember to:
✅ Arrive early
✅ Park outside the town
✅ Stand on the correct facing side of Calle Grande
✅ Use the live stream to follow along
✅ Bring water, sunscreen, and a good camera
✅ And most importantly, let yourself feel it
🎥 I’ll be sharing a 3-part video series from La Pasión de Adeje on my blog and Instagram – including the Last Supper, Christ’s Trial and Torture, and the Crucifixion. Stay tuned on www.anissa.online and follow me on Instagram and other social media for full coverage and behind-the-scenes moments.
Video: La Pasión De Christo – First Part
Video: La Pasión De Christo – Second Part
Video: La Pasión De Christo – Third Part
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