Semana Santa (Easter Week) in Arroyo de la Miel / Benalmadena,is one of the highlights of the year with parades all through the week. Easter week processions compete with one another in luxury and splendour. The parades leave the church to wind slowly around the streets, with their lifelike statues of Christ on the Cross and his mother the Virgin Mary in mourning. The processions are organised by the religious brotherhoods, representing guilds of tradesmen or other groups. They spend all year long preparing the elaborate costumes and decorations. This is a serious fiesta and fireworks are not permitted. Drinking and celebrating is still frowned upon by many. The most outstanding Easter week processions are those of the cities of Sevilla, Málaga and Córdoba and Granada, though our spectacle is worth seeing.  The processions take place during the week leading up to Easter Sunday. The best days are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Saturday. Easter Sunday itself has less intensity generally.