Festivals in Guardamar del Segura
Discover the main festivals and traditions of Guardamar del Segura, in Alicante province.
Local festivals in Guardamar del Segura
The Moors and Christians festivities in honour of San Jaime are usually celebrated over several days in the second half of July, around 25 July. A performance of the legend of L'Encantà opens the festive cycle, while the Moorish and Christian comparsas stage ceremonial entries, parades, skirmishes and embassy scenes around the castle. Gunpowder, music and the patron saint's procession fill Plaza de la Constitución, Calle Mayor and other streets in the town centre.
Comparsas and community participation
The Central Moors and Christians Board coordinates the events with the Town Council, Festival Committee, municipal band and comparsas. Captains, ambassadors, standard-bearers, the Dama de Guardamar and many festival participants join the street parades, offering to San Jaime, Mass and procession, while the cuarteles and kábilas provide gathering places for the two sides.
Other celebrations: Virgen del Rosario
Guardamar honours the Virgen del Rosario, patron saint of the town, on 7 October. The celebration brings together Mass and a procession through the centre, accompanied by public representatives, brotherhoods, festival officers and the municipal band. At dawn on Sundays in October, the auroros preserve the tradition of singing the rosary through the streets.