Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Semana Santa is easily one of Ecuador's most famous religious festivals, with more than 90% of the country's population being Roman Catholic. It is organized to honor the life and work of Jesus Christ. There will be week-long celebrations taking place from March to April (dates vary depending on the lunar calendar). The festival's peak is on Good Friday and Easter Sunday when crowds of locals take part in street parades, carnivals, and fairs. Traditional Ecuadorian "fanesca" (Lenten chowder) is selling like hotcakes during this time, so give it a try. Although Semana Santa is celebrated all over the country, the religious parades in the capital Quito, especially on Good Friday, are something in and of themselves.

Semana Santa - one of the country's most popular festivals, also a deep theatrical tradition, Holly Week in Ecuador brings together iconic figures in a recreating procession. Christ's journey to the cross. If you're visiting Quito during this time, make sure you catch one of the many processions and soak up the tradition, and not to be missed is the ongoing Jesus del Gran Poder procession in the History Center.

• Organization time: April every year
• Location: Quito City, Ecuador