Festivals in Petrer
Discover the main festivals and traditions of Petrer, in Alicante province.
Local festivals in Petrer
The Moors and Christians Festival is usually celebrated over five days in May in honour of San Bonifacio Mártir. Ten comparsas transform the town centre with festive music, parades and events centred on the San Bonifacio chapel and the castle-fortress.
Usual celebration
Captains, flag bearers, rodelas, comparsas and bands participate in the Entry of Bands, retreta, mock battles, Moorish and Christian embassies, the two grand entrances and the procession. The tradition is documented from the seventeenth century, and a municipal proclamation in 1822 regulated the former Soldadesca.
Other celebrations
The patronal festival of the Virgen del Remedio runs from 5 to 7 October. In November, the Festa dels Capitans accompanies La Rendició, a Valencian-language play held on the Sunday nearest the 19th which recreates at the castle the capitulation related in the Llibre dels Feits. The Santa Cruz festivities in the La Frontera district are also prominent.