Moors and Christians Moraira 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Lifestyle · Local Events · June 2026 · Moraira Invest Group
Every June, Moraira transforms. The quiet harbour town swaps its usual pace for drums, gunpowder, spectacular costumes and one of the most dramatic festival traditions on the Costa Blanca. The Moors and Christians celebrations of 2026 are already under way — and the best is still to come.
What Are the Moors and Christians Festivities?
The Moros y Cristianos festival is one of Valencia's most beloved traditions, commemorating the medieval conflicts between Moorish and Christian forces for control of the Iberian Peninsula. In Moraira, the celebration is held in honour of the Holy Christ of Moraira and takes on a unique coastal character that you won't find anywhere else — with the most dramatic moments played out on the beach and at the foot of the historic castle.
Organised by the Junta Central de Moros y Cristianos de Moraira and supported by Teulada Town Hall, the festivities bring together dozens of filàs (costumed groups belonging to each side) from across the region. For ten days, the streets, the castle esplanade and Playa de l'Ampolla become the stage for parades, music, gunpowder displays and centuries of living history.
The 2026 Capitanías
Each year, one filà from each side is honoured with the Captaincy — leading their bando throughout the celebrations. In 2026, the Moorish Captaincy is held by Filà Marsa Mudhaira, represented by Esther Ramiro and Eduardo Font. The Christian Captaincy belongs to Filà Huestes del Cid, represented by Yana Dimova. These two groups lead their respective sides in all parades and ceremonies, and host the famous Night of the Captains on the evening of Friday 12th June.
Full Programme: 5–14 June 2026
The festivities run from 5 to 14 June, with a complementary Andalusian Medieval Market taking place from 19 to 21 June.
Throughout the festival (5–14 June)
Exhibition of drawings created for the 25th Drawing Competition, on display at the Espai La Senieta in Moraira.
Friday 5 June
8:00 pm — Fiesta Opening Speech by Daniel Ibanco Ferrer at the "Tina Bru" Assembly Hall, Espai La Senieta, Moraira.
Saturday 6 June
1:00 pm — Concentration of Moors and Christians in the Urban Forest for the Community Meal, with the Tremen2 brass band.
9:00 pm — Collection of 2026 standard-bearers from each cábila, accompanied by La Llebetjà from Benitachell.
9:30 pm — Concentration of all filàs at El Fortí and parade, accompanied by Colla El Falçó (Teulada) and Colla La Llebetjà (Benitachell).
10:00 pm — Flag Presentation on the castle esplanade, followed by a disco party with DJ Àlex Femenia.
Sunday 7 June
7:00 pm — International Music Festival featuring La Experiència, Elvis, Blackats, Strickland, DC3 and Samsara Haze.
Monday 8 June
8:00 pm — Concert by the Internacional Choir at Moraira Parish Church.
Wednesday 10 June
8:30 pm — Concert by Colla El Falçó de Teulada on Doctor Calatayud Street, followed by the Awards Ceremony for the 25th Drawing Competition.
Thursday 11 June
9:00 pm — Community Dinner on Calle Dénia, followed by a mobile disco with DJ Toreri.
Friday 12 June — The Main Events Begin
1:00 pm — Concentration of Christian and Moorish bands at El Fortí and parade, with brass bands L'Espardenya and Tremen2.
1:20 pm — Departure of the blunderbusses through the streets of Moraira.
2:00 pm — Archery Firing on the Castle esplanade.
6:30 pm — Flower Offering in honour of the Holy Christ of Moraira at the Castle Chapel. At the close of the ceremony, performance of the march "Als Moros Vells", conducted by Jordi Vidal Benavent.
11:00 pm — Moorish Conquest at Ampolla Beach, followed by the Moorish Embassy and the Conquest of Moraira Castle.
12:00 am — Night of the Captains with brass band UM Rotglà i Corberà on Calle Dénia, hosted by the 2026 captaincies, Filà Huestes del Cid and Filà Marsa Mudhaira.
Saturday 13 June
8:30 am — General Parade with blunderbusses, accompanied by the Tremen2 brass band.
11:00 am — Concentration of all filàs at El Fortí and parade with brass bands L'Espardenya and Tremen2.
12:00 pm — Mass in honour of the Holy Christ at Moraira Parish Church, followed by a parade to the Castle.
1:00 pm — Archery Firing on the Castle esplanade, followed by an informal parade of all filàs.
7:30 pm — Parade of all filàs to L'Ampolla Beach, with brass bands L'Espardenya and Tremen2.
8:00 pm — Christian Reconquest at L'Ampolla Beach: assault on Moraira Castle by the Christian filas, followed by the Christian Embassy and the Reconquest of the Castle.
12:00 am — Informal Parade from El Fortí.
12:30 am — Night of the Cabilas with a performance by the Nexus Orchestra on Av. del Portet, hosted by the Captainías 2027, Filà Almogàvers and Filà Almoraima.
Sunday 14 June — Grand Finale
8:30 am — General Parade with blunderbusses.
12:00 pm — Concentration of all filàs at El Fortí and parade with L'Espardenya and Tremen2.
12:20 pm — Departure of blunderbusses through Moraira's streets.
12:45 pm — Archery Firing on the Castle esplanade.
6:00 pm — Entrance of the Bands from the Castle to El Fortí.
7:00 pm — Grand Gala Parade of all Moors and Christians filàs through the streets of Moraira, followed by a Fireworks Display by Pirotecnia Valenciana.
Friday 19 – Sunday 21 June
Andalusian Medieval Market — inauguration on Friday 19 June at 7:30 pm by the Junta Central de Moros y Cristianos and municipal authorities.
The Three Unmissable Moments
If you can only be in Moraira for part of the festivities, these are the moments that define the festival.
The Moorish Conquest — Friday 12 June, 11:00 pm
As darkness falls over L'Ampolla Beach, the Moorish side launches their spectacular beach landing. Lit by torches and accompanied by the sound of drums and gunpowder, the conquest of Moraira Castle is a genuinely cinematic moment. The Embassy — a theatrical exchange between Moorish and Christian ambassadors — follows immediately after. This is the fiesta at its most atmospheric.
The Christian Reconquest — Saturday 13 June, 8:00 pm
The following evening, the roles are reversed. The Christian filas march to the beach for the Reconquest — another elaborately staged battle ending with the recapture of the castle. After the official ceremony, the Night of the Cabilas keeps the celebration going until the early hours with live music on the Avenida del Portet.
The Grand Gala Parade — Sunday 14 June, 7:00 pm
The climax of ten days of celebration. Every filà — dozens of groups from both sides — takes to the streets of Moraira in full ceremonial dress. The parade is followed by a fireworks display over the sea. This is Moraira at its most festive, and the atmosphere is unlike anything else on the Costa Blanca.
Why This Festival Matters for Moraira
Events like the Moors and Christians are a significant part of what makes Moraira more than a beach destination. The town has a genuine cultural identity, deep community roots and an annual calendar that draws people back year after year. For buyers considering a property here, it's worth understanding that the lifestyle they're investing in includes this — a real local culture, not just sunshine and coastline.
If you're in the area during the festivities, make the most of it. If you're not yet here but thinking about it, this is a good time to come.
For more on life in Moraira and the surrounding Costa Blanca Norte, explore our blog or get in touch with the team at Moraira Invest Group.
