The Moors and Christians will be marching in El Campello from the 12th to the 15th October 2024. The fiesta is held in honour of the patron saint, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, and takes place at the same time every year. The acts and events recreate the history of the Moorish occupation of the area between 700 and 1400 AD and include the arrival of the Moorish army by boat! The programme for the festival in English is:
Tuesday 8th October
00:00 Correfocs (hand held firework display) with Colles de Dimonis and Tabaleters Larraix, followed by firecrackers.
Wednesday 9th October
09:00 Despertá, rockets and the ringing of the church bells
10:00 Entrance Parade of the Children Moors and Christian from calle Dr. Fleming to the Castle in the Plaza de la Ayuntamiento
09:00 Despertá, rockets and the ringing of the church bells
10:00 Entrance Parade of the Children Moors and Christian from calle Dr. Fleming to the Castle in the Plaza de la Ayuntamiento
12:00 Traditional dances by the Group Salpassa and the Group Mocadorà de Sant Dionís in calle Pal
Friday 11th October
17:00 setting up of the Fiesta Camps in Carrer de la Mar
17:00 setting up of the Fiesta Camps in Carrer de la Mar
22:30 Opening Parade & Speeches for the fiesta in the Plaza de la Iglesia and turning on of the Fiesta Lights
Saturday 12th October
06:55 Sighting of the Moorish fleet at sea and lighting of alarm fires at the Illeta watchtower. Ringing of the church bells to warn the population by Christian Riders of the invasion, followed (07:00-09:00) by the Moors landing and the war beginning
06:55 Sighting of the Moorish fleet at sea and lighting of alarm fires at the Illeta watchtower. Ringing of the church bells to warn the population by Christian Riders of the invasion, followed (07:00-09:00) by the Moors landing and the war beginning
08:30 Moorish Embajada (Embassies, parleys between the two opposing bands), followed by an battle to conquer the town.
11:30 Entrance Parade of the Music Bands along Avda. Generalitat
19:00 Grand Entrance Parade of the Christians and Moors along Calle San Juan Bosco, Avenida Generalitat and Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner
Sunday 13th October
09:00 Alardo (battle) with the arcabucería (blunderbus guns) from Avda. Generalitat to the castle
09:00 Alardo (battle) with the arcabucería (blunderbus guns) from Avda. Generalitat to the castle
09:00 Diana, informal parade by the troops through the streets of the town
11:30 Christian Embajada (Embassies, parleys between the two opposing bands) at the castle
19:00 Grand Entrance Parade of the Moors and Christians along Calle San Juan Bosco, Avenida Generalitat and Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner
Monday 14th October
09:00 Diana, informal parade by the troops through the streets of the town
12:00 Entradeta Festera Procession along Avda. Generalitat, Calle Doctor Fleming, Calle Mayor, Calle Pal, Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner finishing at the Castillo Festero
20:00 Retreta Humor Parade along Calle San Juan Bosco, Avenida Generalitat and Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner.
12:00 Entradeta Festera Procession along Avda. Generalitat, Calle Doctor Fleming, Calle Mayor, Calle Pal, Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner finishing at the Castillo Festero
20:00 Retreta Humor Parade along Calle San Juan Bosco, Avenida Generalitat and Calle Alcalde Oncina Giner.
Tuesday 15th October
08:00 Despertá, rockets and the ringing of the church bells.
11:00 Flowers and Fruits Offering Parade to the patron, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, starting from the Junta Festera
13:30 Grand Mascletà (day time rockets) from Calle Alcalde Pepe Carratalá
20:00 Solemn Procession from Plaza de la Iglesia, followed by a large firework display from Avenida Ausiàs March
08:00 Despertá, rockets and the ringing of the church bells.
11:00 Flowers and Fruits Offering Parade to the patron, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, starting from the Junta Festera
13:30 Grand Mascletà (day time rockets) from Calle Alcalde Pepe Carratalá
20:00 Solemn Procession from Plaza de la Iglesia, followed by a large firework display from Avenida Ausiàs March