September starts with a bang in Santa Pola as the town begins eight days of Moors and Christians fiestas, parades, music, fireworks and traditional celebrations.
The opening night begins at 20:30 with the switching on of the fiesta lights. Musician Pepe Andreu Garzón will deliver the official opening speech in the Glorieta at 22:30. The barracas will open afterwards.
Moors and Christians take over the town
The Moors and Christians events dominate the first three days.
Tuesday 1 September starts with the Despertà at 09:00. The popular Asalto Moro (Moorish Assault) follows at Playa de Levante at 10:00, complete with musket fire.
At 13:30, a mascletà will bring another burst of gunpowder to Avenida de Los Baños. Later, the Moorish Embassy begins outside the fortress, followed by the Sostracà battle and the Moorish Entry.
The Christians fight back on Wednesday 2 September. Their embassy starts at 18:30 before a simulated battle leads to the Christian reconquest of the castle.
The big Moors and Christians parade
Thursday 3 September brings one of the highlights of the entire week.
Music bands enter the town at 20:00, followed by the Entrada de Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians Parade) at 20:30.
The parade starts at El Palmeral and follows calles Elche, Glorieta and Muelle before continuing along Avenida Pérez Ojeda to Calle San Antonio.
A weekend of family events and fireworks
Friday 4 September brings a musical parade at 10:00, followed by the Sopar del Cabasset at 22:00 in calle Elche.
Children get plenty of attention on Saturday 5 September. A family breakfast with children’s games starts in the Glorieta at 11:00. A bike circuit follows at 18:00, with the Correbous infantil at 20:00.
At 23:00, the Correfocs fire run will make its way along Calle del Muelle, the Glorieta and surrounding streets.
Sunday 6 September features the Desfile Multicolor (Multicoloured Parade) at 20:30. The procession follows a route from El Palmeral through the centre of Santa Pola.
The night ends at 01:00 with a fireworks display from the breakwater at Playa de Levante.
Final days honour the Virgen de Loreto
The final two days focus on Santa Pola’s patron saint.
On Monday 7 September, participants gather at Plaza del Mercado de Abastos at 19:00 for the floral offering. The procession starts at 19:30 and reaches the Virgen de Loreto’s chapel at the castle.
A serenade follows in the Patio de Armas at 22:30. A nighttime mascletà at avenida de los Baños closes the day at 01:00.
Tuesday 8 September, Día de la Mare de Déu (Day of the Virgin), brings the fiestas to a close.
Mass starts at the Castillo-Fortaleza at 09:00, followed by the traditional motet at 10:30 and a mascletà at 13:30.
The main procession leaves the chapel at 20:00 and travels through the old town before returning to the castle.
Santa Pola finally says goodbye to its 2026 fiestas at 01:00 with a large fireworks display from the Playa de Levante breakwater and the traditional final explosion.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Santa Pola’s main fiestas run from Monday 31 August to Tuesday 8 September.
- The opening speech takes place in the Glorieta at 22:30 on Monday.
- The Asalto Moro starts at Playa de Levante at 10:00 on Tuesday 1 September.
- The main Moors and Christians parade starts at 20:30 on Thursday 3 September.
- Saturday includes children’s activities and the Correfocs at 23:00.
- The Desfile Multicolor starts at 20:30 on Sunday 6 September.
- The floral offering to the Virgen de Loreto takes place on Monday 7 September.
- The main religious procession starts at 20:00 on Tuesday 8 September.
- Fireworks at Playa de Levante bring the fiestas to a close at 01:00.
