Fiesta de las Cruces Date in the current year: May 3, 2024

The roots of the holiday go back to the finding of the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus (the True Cross) by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine. In the Gallican Rite, the Feast of the Cross commemorating this event was celebrated on May 3. Today, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Cross on September 14. However, the May date is still observed as the Invention of the True Cross in many parts of Spain and Spanish America.

On May 3, groups of people throughout Spain and Hispanic America get together and decorate crosses in the streets and squares with flowers and various items which typically reflect the traditions of a particular town or locality. Many cities and towns hosts vibrant processions with crosses organized by local religious brotherhoods.

In Spanish America, the traditions of the Fiesta de las Cruces may vary considerably between countries. For example, in Ecuador the holiday takes on a more raucous aspect, while in most of Guatemala the Invention of the Holy Cross is celebrated largely in a respectful and symbolic manner.