If you want to experience one of the Costa Blanca’s most spectacular and authentic festival, Villajoyosa is the place to be over the next week.
The town’s internationally renowned Moors and Christians festival returns from July 24 to 31, with eight days of music, marching bands, fireworks, historical re-enactments and enough gunpowder to shake the seafront.
The festival holds the title of Festival of International Tourist Interest. It honours the town’s patron saint, Santa Marta, and around 4,000 participants will take part in one of the most colourful events in the Valencian calendar.
The famous beach landing
The main highlight of the celebrations is El Desembarc. This dramatic event
recreates the Moorish landing of 1538 on Villajoyosa’s Central Beach, where local tradition says the original events took place almost five centuries ago.
According to local tradition, Santa Marta helped protect the town from the invading forces. Every year, thousands of spectators gather before dawn to watch the historic scene unfold. Boats arrive from the sea, while cannon fire, arquebuses, music and spectacular lighting effects bring the beach to life.
The beach events, including El Desembarc, are now being considered for recognition as an Intangible Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). The Consell Valencià de Cultura has already supported the proposal.
Watch the festival live from anywhere
The broadcasts include:
- The Moorish Parade on Saturday at 21:00
- The Christian Parade on Sunday at 21:00
- The Corsair and Smugglers Landing (Alijo Contrabandista) on Monday at 20:00
- The Contrabandista and Bedouin Embassies on Monday evening
- The Reconquest on Tuesday at 21:00
A packed festival programme
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the Entrada de Bandas. More than 500 musicians will parade through the town.
Saturday night’s Moorish Parade will finish with a spectacular pageant featuring Moorish King Juan Lloret Marcet “Belo”, who represents the Artillería del Islam company. On Sunday, Christian Queen Marta Llinares from the Llauradors company will lead the Christian Parade finale.
Monday’s events move to Central Beach. The Corsair and Smugglers Landing starts at 20:00, followed by the Contrabandista Embassy and the Bedouin Embassy.
The festival reaches its climax early on Tuesday morning. From 03:00, Moorish companies will descend towards the harbour, while Christian forces gather from 05:00. The landing begins at 06:00.
Later that evening, the Christians will reclaim the town during the Reconquest. The event ends with the Christian Embassy and a thanksgiving ceremony for Santa Marta, followed by 21 ceremonial gun salutes.
Santa Marta’s day
Wednesday July 29 is dedicated to the town’s patron saint. A solemn Mass will take place at midday, followed by a procession through the historic centre at 20:00.
The day’s celebrations will finish with a spectacular fireworks display at 12.30.
The festivities continue on July 30 with the popular paella competition. All 22 fiesta companies will take part along Avenida de Benidorm.
On July 31, the youngest participants will take centre stage during the children’s float parade.
