María, 23, beams with her face painted white and green, wearing a costume of exotic bird feathers. “It’s my favourite festival,” she tells Euro Weekly News, moments before stepping into the parade led by the beat of drums and trumpets. “We love helping each other create the best costumes we can. It’s all about coming together, celebrating life!”
San Vicente del Raspeig marks the 50th anniversary of his Moors and Christians festival, running until 4 May with renewed energy and full health.
San Vicente hosts its patron saint festivities and its Moors and Christians festival at the same time – a colourful Spanish tradition that recalls the shared history of Arab and Christian peoples in the Iberian Peninsula, reenacting the final expulsion of the Moors.
What makes San Vicente’s Moors and Christians festival unique is that one day the Moors (representing the Arabs) win, and another day the Christians (the northern Spaniards, like the Goths) claim victory.
On Saturday, as I wandered through streets decked with spectacular decorations, the Christians were getting ready to triumph.
It feels like the whole town joins in. Although San Vicente is technically a town of 60,000 people attached to Alicante (it even shares the University of Alicante campus), it still preserves its own culture, historic centre, and traditions. Strolling its lively streets full of restaurants, bars, and small shops is a true pleasure.
Here, they take the festival seriously: around 4,500 residents participate in the parades, and they use a staggering 810 kilograms of gunpowder – not for fireworks, but for deafening mascletàs and firing ancient muskets.
Virginia fired a musket for the first time this year: “It’s thrilling. Every blast hits you right in the heart, and you can see the amazement on everyone’s faces,” she tells EWN.
Earplugs are highly recommended — I grabbed a pair from a nearby pharmacy!
Thirty-three banners representing different groups of lancers, swordsmen, halberdiers, and musketeers march past, their golden weapons and animal-skin-inspired robes gleaming.
Each company is accompanied by a full band, matching the beat of the warriors, creating a truly epic atmosphere, followed by monumental floats. The costumes are spectacular — from bird-like dresses to outfits straight out of Avatar or Lord of the Rings. 
Photos capture the Christian parade: every costume is handmade, stunning and intricate. Women play a huge role — there are just as many female participants as men, even among the musketeers, with many newly licensed to handle the historic guns.
The streets are packed with cheering locals, but few tourists — I barely spotted any!
“It’s a major boost for local jobs too,” explains Martín, 52, a loyal festival participant.
“Think of the seamstresses, hundreds of musicians, cleaners, security staff, food vendors, and hotels.” In truth, the majority of visitors are from nearby Valencian towns, not even Madrid.
History matters
The patron saint festivities date back as far as the town itself, a crossroads between the mountains and the sea as early as the 15th century. Locals pay homage to Valencian Saint Vincent Ferrer, who is believed to have preached here in the early 1400s. But since 1975 – just as Franco’s dictatorship was crumbling – the Valencians added a twist to the solemn traditions. They turned the occasion into a massive, vibrant party.
That year, they began dressing up and parading as they still do today: with music, dancing, food and drink, creating a peaceful, joyful bacchanal that unites rather than divides the community.
So, it’s still a hidden gem — a real, raw slice of authentic Spanish and Valencian culture, bursting with gunpowder, music, party vibes and warmth. Plus, the weather’s perfect for a beach dip afterwards! Nearby hotels are top-notch, and the town is spotlessly clean and safe.
The night culminates in an exhilarating assault on a castle, with cavalry charges, cannons and musket fire. The Moors attempt to reclaim lost territory, but the Christians fiercely defend it. Fantastic actors, brilliant sound and light effects – pure magic.
The town also stands out for boasting 580 musketeers, firing those 810 kilograms of gunpowder during the festivities. One of the most emotional moments was the tribute to the original founders from 1975. They even recovered costumes from now-defunct companies, adding historical and cultural depth to the event.
Among the Christian forces, you’ll spot banners for units like Fills de África, Archers, Pirates, Gypsies and Roman Eras — each represented by a costumed standard-bearer.
And the locals? They’re immensely proud of their festival. They want more people to experience it — with plenty of food, drinks, music and endless hours of street-side celebrations. Highly recommended!
Full Festival Programme for next days:
Monday, 28 April: Feast of Saint Vincent Ferrer
Morning
- 🔔 8:00 am – General ringing of bells
- 🕗 8:00 am – Moorish Diana (parade)
- Starting point: Plaza del Castillo
- ✝️ 10:00 am – Mass in Valencian
- 💐 11:00 am – Floral Offering
- Route: Calle Alicante → Avda. Ancha de Castelar → Avda. Libertad → Plaza de España
- 🎶 1:00 pm – Solemn Mass (Masa Coral La Aurora)
- Followed by Mascletà at Plaza del Maestro
Afternoon
- 🕯️ 7:00 pm – Procession of the Patron Saint (Plaza de España)
- 🎇 Midnight – Multicoloured Fireworks (Ronda Oeste)
- Preceded at 11:45 pm by “Dolçaines i Tabalets” parade with officials
- Note: Maintain 300m safety distance; damages not covered
Tuesday, 29 April
- 🔔 8:00 am – General ringing of bells
- 🕗 9:45 am – Parade of Festival Leaders (Plaza de España)
- ⚔️ 11:30 am – Christian Embassy
- Location: Avda. Libertad
- 11:15 am gathering; 11:30 am gunfire begins
- 🎷 7:00 pm – Festive Street Party
- Route: Calle Alicante → Avda. Ancha de Castelar → Avda. Libertad → Plaza del Castillo
- 🕯️ 7:30 pm – Funeral Mass for the deceased
Wednesday, 30 April
- 🎨 6:00 pm – Popular Festivities (Plaza de España)
- Drawing and writing contests for children (bring pencils!)
- 🕯️ 7:30 pm – Children’s Lantern Dance (Plaza de España)
- 💃 9:00 pm – Traditional Performances (Plaza de España)
Thursday, 1 May
- ⛪ 7:30 am – Holy Face Mass (Parish of San Vicente Ferrer)
- 🚶 8:00 am – Pilgrimage to the Holy Face
- Departure from Plaza de España
- With traditional cane and aniseed rolls
- 🎭 6:00 pm – Children’s Costume Competition (Plaza de España)
Friday, 2 May
- 🎯 6:00 pm – Popular Games (Plaza de España)
- 🎭 9:00 pm – Zarzuela “Agua, azucarillos y aguardiente” (La Esperanza Theatre)
Saturday, 3 May
- 🎉 10:45 am – Parade and Visit to Cottolengo
- 👨👩👧👦 12:30 pm – Family Show (Plaza de España)
- ♠️ 5:30 pm – Traditional Games Competitions (Avda. Libertad)
- 🏆 Prizegiving
- 🎧 7:00 pm – Afternoon DJ Party (Plaza de España)
- 🔥 9:30 pm – Traditional Correfoc (Fire Run)
- Wear denim for safety!
Sunday, 4 May
- 🔔 8:00 am – General ringing of bells
- 🎶 11:30 am – Street Parade (Colla “El Tossal”)
- 🎭 12:15 pm – Miracle Plays of Saint Vincent
- 🎆 1:30 pm – Children’s Mascletà (led by Spring Queen)
- 🕯️ 10:00 pm – Grand Lantern Dance (Plaza de España)
- 🎇 Midnight – Final Fireworks
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