Traslacion 2026 begins for Feast of Jesus Nazareno

MANILA, Philippines – The annual Traslacion procession for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno began at around 4 am on Friday, January 9, with the Nazareno image leaving the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

From the Quirino Grandstand, the procession will follow a 5.8-kilometer route to the Quiapo Church, passing through “three parks and plazas, seven bridges, one underpass, and 18 Manila streets,” according to CBCP News.

The Traslacion draws millions of devotees each year. In 2025, the procession took nearly 21 hours.

For 2026, organizers announced changes to the andas or carriage bearing the image of Jesus Nazareno, which now has four wheels from three and “a steering mechanism to improve control,” CBCP News said. The cross is also shorter “to discourage devotees from climbing and risking injury.”

More than 18,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police will be deployed for the Traslacion. The Department of Health will also have 20 emergency response stations along the procession route. – Rappler.com