Benidorm's Famous Moors and Christians Festival Starts Tomorrow - Here's What's Happening
Four days of parades, music, fireworks and traditional celebrations are about to take over Benidorm's Old Town and city centre.
Benidorm is preparing for four days of colourful celebrations as the city's annual Moors and Christians festival gets underway tomorrow, Thursday 1 October.
The celebrations will run until Sunday 4 October, bringing parades, historical performances, music, fireworks and traditional festivities to the centre of the resort.
The festival is recognised as a Local Festival of Tourist Interest and is expected to attract both residents and visitors to the city's streets.
Thursday: Medieval camp opens
The main programme begins on Thursday afternoon with the opening of the Medieval Camp at 5pm in the Fiesta Castle in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España.
Visitors will find craft stalls and medieval games at the camp.
At 8pm, the Parliament of the Moorish Invasion will take place, recreating the arrival of the Moorish forces and their meeting with the Christian troops.
The historical performance ends with the fictional invasion of Benidorm.
Friday: The Christian reconquest
Friday begins with the traditional Diana parade at 10:30am, with the Moorish and Christian groups making their way through the centre of Benidorm.
The next major event takes place at 8pm with the Embassy and Christian Reconquest.
The performance recreates the Christian demand for the return of the castle, followed by the declaration of war, an Alardo and the eventual Christian reconquest of the fortress.
Saturday: The big parade
For many visitors, Saturday will be the highlight of the celebrations.
The Grand Moorish and Christian Parade begins at 8pm, with the different Moorish and Christian groups taking to the streets in their traditional costumes.
The parade starts on Tomás Ortuño, at the junction with Ondulada, before continuing through Marte, Ruzafa and Herrerías towards Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España.
With colourful costumes, music and large groups taking part, the parade is expected to bring plenty of activity to the centre of Benidorm.
Sunday: Final celebrations and fireworks
The final day begins at midday with the Parliament of Peace at the Fiesta Castle.
A floral offering to Saint James the Apostle follows at 12:30pm, before a solemn mass at 1pm.
The festival then returns to the streets at 8pm for the Retreta, a parade featuring floats, confetti and streamers.
The celebrations will finish with a fireworks display from Pirotecnia Vulcano.
A colourful weekend in Benidorm
With the celebrations taking place in and around the centre and Old Town, visitors staying in Benidorm this week will have plenty of opportunities to see the festivities.
The event combines traditional music, costumes and historical performances with some of the city's biggest street celebrations of the year.
For tourists who have never experienced Benidorm's Moors and Christians celebrations, this weekend offers a chance to see a different side of the resort beyond its beaches and nightlife.
