Benidorm steps back into medieval Spain this week as its annual Moors and Christians celebrations take over the city centre from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October.
The four-day programme mixes elaborate costumes and marching bands with staged battles, medieval entertainment and some of the city’s biggest traditional parades.
Kick off is at 17:00 on Thursday. The medieval camp will open in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España with craft stalls and games.
The battle for Benidorm begins
The first confrontation comes at 20:00 on Thursday with the Parliament of the Moorish Invasion.
Christian troops gather at their camp before the Moorish forces arrive. Attempts to negotiate fail, ending with the symbolic Moorish invasion of Benidorm.
On Friday, the Diana morning parade sets off at 10:30 from Calle Escuelas. It follows Tomás Ortuño and Paseo de la Carretera before finishing in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España.
The tables turn at 20:00 with the Christian Embassy and Reconquest. After another failed negotiation, the two sides declare war and stage the Alardo battle before the Christians retake the fortress.
Saturday’s big parade
Saturday 3 October brings one of the main events of the weekend, the Grand Moorish and Christian Parade.
The procession starts at 20:00 from Calle Tomás Ortuño, with the Moorish and Christian filaes taking to the streets in full costume.
The route continues along Marte, Ruzafa and Herrerías before passing Plaza del Doctor Fleming and finishing in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España.
Expect plenty of music and some of the most elaborate costumes of the festival as the two sides parade through central Benidorm.
Peace, flowers and one final parade
Sunday begins with the Parliament of Peace at 12:00 at the festival castle.
This time, the dispute over Benidorm’s castle ends peacefully, with the Moorish troops agreeing to withdraw.
At 12:30, participants make their Flower Offering to San Jaime Apóstol, followed by a Mass at 13:00.
The final big event arrives at 20:00 with the Retreta. Enjoy a lively parade of floats accompanied by confetti, streamers and plenty of festival atmosphere.
It starts in Calle Tomás Ortuño and finishes in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España. A firework display will bring the celebrations to a close.
Watch out for road closures
Drivers heading into central Benidorm over the weekend should allow for disruption.
Roads along the parade routes will close to traffic from 20:00 on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October for the Gran Entrada and Retreta.
The council will reopen the affected streets once each parade finishes.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Benidorm’s Moros y Cristianos runs from Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October.
- The medieval camp opens at 17:00 on Thursday in Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España.
- Staged Moorish and Christian invasions and reconquests take place on Thursday and Friday.
- The Gran Entrada Mora y Cristiana starts at 20:00 on Saturday.
- Sunday’s Flower Offering begins at 12:30, followed by Mass at 13:00.
- The Retreta starts at 20:00 on Sunday and ends with fireworks.
- Roads along the main parade routes will close from 20:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
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