Moors and Christians festivities
5.1. Alcoy (main reference for your guests)
- What they are
Festival in honor of Saint George recreating the historical/symbolic struggle between Moorish and Christian sides linked to the battle of 1276 and the tradition of the saint’s appearance.
Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest (1980) and Intangible Cultural Heritage (2019).
- Basic structure
“Festive trilogy” of three main days:
Day of the Entradas: parade of the Christian Entrada (morning) and Moorish Entrada (afternoon), with the 28 filaes, floats, horses, bands, etc.
Day of Sant Jordi: religious acts and processions in honor of the patron saint, with a central role for the “Sant Jordiet”.
Day of the Alardo: embassies and arcabus battles, culminating with Saint George appearing on the battlements.
- Dates
Traditionally around April 23, but the city adjusts each year to the nearest weekend (for example, 24–27 April 2026 or 3–5 May 2025).
For guests it is always advisable to link to the official calendar of Alcoy Tourism / Associació de Sant Jordi.
5.2. Nearby towns with Moors and Christians (same “festive belt”)
All these festivities are within a 1 h–1 h 15 drive from Alcoy, so they are excellent recommendations depending on guests’ dates.
- Banyeres de Mariola
Festivities from April 22 to 25 in honor of San Jordi + an additional reenactment the first weekend of September; declared of National Tourist Interest.
- Cocentaina
Festivities in honor of San Hipólito; held the second weekend of August, with a trilogy (Entradas, religious acts, battle) similar to the Alcoy model.
- Muro de Alcoy
Moors and Christians in honor of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, the second weekend of May, declared of Regional Tourist Interest.
- Ontinyent
Moors and Christians festivities on the third/fourth weekend of August, in honor of the Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía; recently declared of International Tourist Interest.
- Ibi
Moors and Christians in September, in honor of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, with 14 comparsas; major festivities of the town.