The annual Jesús del Gran Poder procession will take place on April 3, 2026, with a modified route through Quito’s Historic Center as thousands of faithful are expected to participate in one of Ecuador’s most important Holy Week traditions.
The procession, which begins at the Church of San Francisco, will follow a revised path this year. From the starting point, it will move along Bolívar Street to Venezuela Street, continue through Manabí and Vargas Streets, and then proceed to Río de Janeiro Street. The return route will pass again along Venezuela Street, continue near the Basilica, and follow Oriente Street before concluding via Benalcázar Street back to San Francisco Square.
This Good Friday event remains the centerpiece of Holy Week in the capital, drawing large crowds from across the country and abroad. The procession is known for its traditional participants, including cucuruchos—penitents dressed in purple robes—and Verónicas, who accompany the image of Christ in a solemn display of faith.
Authorities expect between 3,000 and 4,000 participants in the procession itself, with significantly larger numbers of spectators lining the route. To manage the crowds, security and traffic operations will be deployed throughout the day.
The National Police will assign more than 800 officers, while the Metropolitan Agency will deploy over 700 personnel starting early in the morning. Officials are advising attendees to use public transportation and avoid private vehicles due to expected congestion in the historic center.
The procession will follow a structured schedule. Participants dressed in traditional roles must gather early in the morning, while key religious images will depart at staggered times, culminating with the main image of Jesús del Gran Poder at noon.
The event continues to be one of the largest and most symbolic religious gatherings in Ecuador, combining centuries-old Catholic traditions with strong cultural identity in Quito’s historic streets.