Castalla is getting ready for five packed days of parades, music, gunpowder and celebrations as its annual Moors and Christians fiestas return.
The Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos en honor a la Virgen de la Soledad (Moors and Christians Fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Soledad) run from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September.
The programme brings together the spectacular Moors and Christians events with religious traditions dedicated to the town’s patron saint.
A fireworks display on Saturday 5 September will provide the final farewell to the 2026 fiestas.
Celebrations begin before September
The build-up starts on Saturday 29 August with the Fiesta Proclamation in
Plaza Mayor.
The event includes the presentation of the Àngels de la Rodella and an opening speech from Isa Verdú Salvador.
Then, on Monday 31 August, the Nit de l’Olleta (“Night of the Olleta”) officially gets the main celebrations under way.
This year brings a new addition to the programme. The comparsas’ music bands will make their official entrance from avenida República Argentina at 19:30.
They will finish at the Town Hall, where the bands will take part in a musical performance competition.
Big parade on 1 September
Tuesday 1 September brings one of the main events, the Entrada de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Parade).
The comparsas will take to the streets with their costumes, flags and music for the traditional procession through Castalla.
Later that evening, attention turns to the Virgen de la Soledad.
The Procesión de la Baixada de la Virgen (Procession of the Descent of the Virgin) will accompany the patron saint from the convent to the parish church.
The comparsas will join the procession, with traditional musket salutes forming part of the ceremony.
Battles, embassies and a children’s parade
The following days continue with religious events, parades and some of the traditions closely associated with the Moors and Christians fiestas.
The programme includes mock battles, guerrillas, embassies and the Ballada de les Banderes (“Dance of the Flags”).
Wednesday 3 September is the Día de la Ofrenda (Day of the Offering).
Children take centre stage during the Desfile Infantil (Children’s Parade), before the comparsas join the traditional floral offering to the Virgen de la Soledad later in the day.
Castalla says goodbye to its patron saint
Thursday 4 September brings one of the most important religious moments of the fiestas.
During the Procesión de la Pujada (Procession of the Ascent), participants accompany the Virgen de la Soledad on her return.
The traditional singing of the Adeu (“Farewell”) forms part of the emotional final day of the main celebrations.
There is one more event to come, however.
On Saturday 5 September, a fireworks display will officially bring Castalla’s 2026 fiesta programme to a close.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- What: Castalla Moors and Christians Fiestas
- Main dates: Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September
- Final fireworks: Saturday 5 September
- Patron saint: Virgen de la Soledad
- Exaltación Festera: Saturday 29 August in Plaza Mayor
- Nit de l’Olleta: Monday 31 August, with the bands entering from 19:30
- Moors and Christians Parade: Tuesday 1 September
- Children’s Parade and floral offering: Wednesday 3 September
- Procesión de la Pujada: Friday 4 September
- The programme includes parades, music, mock battles, embassies, gunpowder and religious events.
- Read the full programme.
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