MOORS AND CHRISTIANS

From the 29th of May to the 2nd of June 2025

Coinciding with the first weekend of June, the streets of Elda are filled with colour, music, gunpowder and illusion for five days, with the arrival of the Moors and Christians Festivity. This Festival, declared of National Tourist Interest, has been celebrated since the beginning of the 19th century, being the one with the greatest citizen participation in Elda.

These festivities are responsible for transporting the city to the time of the crusades, when Christians and Moors fought for the same territory. It doesn’t matter if you belong to the Christian side, formed by the “comparsas” (festival groups) of Zíngaros, Contrabandistas, Cristianos, Estudiantes or Piratas; or if you belong to the Moorish side, formed by Huestes del Cadí, Realistas, Marroquíes or Musulmanes. These festivals are a reflection of the unity and enthusiasm that exists in the town these days.

The festivities do not end when the official events and parades are over, but all day and night, the streets are flooded with bands and parades inviting everyone, “festeros” and visitors, to participate, finding in the famous “cuartelillos” (“comparsas” and groups’ headquarters) moments to rest and regain strength.

The festival officially begins on Thursday after the ‘Entrada de Bandas’, a parade performed by the different comparsas together with the music bands that take part in the Moors and Christians festival from all over the Valencian Community. When all the bands that accompany the representatives of all the comparsas arrive at the Plaza de la Constitución, where the Castillo de las Embajadas is located, the most awaited, multitudinous and emotional moment begins: the Pasodoble ‘Idella’, the hymn of the festival, is sung by thousands of enthusiastic people.

Once the festival has begun, days full of fun, excitement, music, gunpowder and colour follow one after the other. These days are filled with dozens of events and parades that fill the streets of the city, although the most important and striking are both the ‘Entrada Mora’ and the ‘Entrada Cristiana’, which take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Parades in which the different “Comparsas” that make up this festival parade through the streets accompanying their captains and standard bearers. Not to be forgotten is the ‘Desfile Infantil’ on Friday, where the little ones show that the festival is not just for grown-ups. With the arrival of Monday, the Procession takes place, with the statue of Saint Anthony being taken back to his chapel. When the statue has arrived, the traditional ‘fireworks display’ is set off, which puts the finishing touch to the festivities.