In October, Calpe dresses up to celebrate one of the most anticipated festivals of the year: the Moors and Christians. This festival combines the majesty of religious and popular events with a festive atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists. If you are on the Costa Blanca, you cannot miss it!
Among the most notable events are:
This festivity, which has taken place in Calpe since 1977, combines religious, popular and historical acts with great pomp and circumstance and has proven to be an extraordinary means of promoting the town's tourist attractions and culture.
A week of festivities organized by the Calpe Association of Moors and Christians, with the collaboration of the Festival Committee, that begins with the traditional air bombardment and the ringing of bells which announces the entrance of bands that then parade along Gabriel Miró Avenue to Mosquit Square.
The Great Landing and the First Battle
One of the most anticipated moments is the First Battle, where the Moors and Christians face off in a spectacle that recalls history. This battle takes place on Calpe's Arenal Beach and is a must for visitors.
It's not just adults who enjoy this festival. The little ones also have their space with the children's parade, in which they parade through the streets in their best costumes, feeling part of this great tradition.
The last days are marked by solemnity, the celebration of the “Miracle” in the la Plaza Mayor, "Correfocs" in the Old Part of town, and the Eucharist, also in the Plaza Mayor, in honour of the Santísimo Cristo del Sudor. Once the Mass has ended, the image of Christ is removed to the Church and the "Mascletà" (fireworks display) is then held in Calpe's Plaza Mayor.
Alicante
Just before the summer solstice, Alicante dresses up to the nines to conjure up the time when King James II incorporated the land of Alicante to the Crown of Aragon, and endowed the province with an annual market fair that marked the beginning of the city's commercial activity.
Moraira
A week of festivities, gala parades, conquests and reconquests bring the streets of Moraira to fever pitch, coinciding as they do with the start of the tourist season and the celebration of one of this Alicante town's most deeply rooted festivals: the Moors and Christians Festival.
Benidorm
Coinciding with World Tourism Day on the 27th of September, Benidorm will be holding its "Tapas Week", a successful event that in previous years has attracted numerous participants. Thanks to this promotion and during the seven days of its duration, anyone can try the best morsels on offer in lots of restaurants for only 2€.
