Morata de Tajuña 2026 festival programme

Preliminary activities begin on Thursday 27 August, the main festivities run from 4 to 13 September, and the day of Virgen de la Antigua is Tuesday the 8th.

Notice: the programme may change. Activities requiring registration, fireworks and bull-related events have specific conditions; check municipal announcements before taking part.

Continuing activities

  • 1-13 September, 16:00-20:00: festival-poster competition exhibition at the Casa Mac-Crohon exhibition room. Opening on 1 September at 17:00.
  • 31 August-6 September, 21:30: Virgen de la Antigua novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church, with Agrupación Coral Fco. González conducted by Francisco Javier Gallego Morales. On Saturday the 5th it begins at 20:00.
  • At the fair, 20:00-21:00: quiet hour without noise or lights; no-queue access with a disability card and noise-cancelling headphones for children with auditory sensitivity, subject to advance booking and a deposit.

Thursday 27 August 2026

  • 22:00: summer cinema, The Garfield Movie, in Plaza de Espinardo.

Friday 28 August 2026

  • 22:00: El Baúl de los 70', a Serafín Zubiri concert with the Morata de Tajuña municipal band, in Plaza Mayor.

Saturday 29 August 2026

  • 12:00-16:00: fourth Botellín Tour around the participating venues.
  • 16:00: start of the mus card tournament at Bar Restaurante Libra II.
  • 20:00: 18th Tajuña Rock in Plaza Mayor, with Ankor, Ktulu, Mözarabe, Ignis Anima and Zero.

Sunday 30 August 2026

  • 12:00-16:00: fourth Botellín Tour around the participating venues.
  • 21:00: Virgen de la Antigua carried from her chapel to Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church, with the municipal band.
  • Afterwards: opening of the novena in the church, with Agrupación Coral Fco. González.

Monday 31 August 2026

  • 18:00-20:00: Bijbol tournament, part of the alternative sports programme, in Plaza Mayor.
  • 20:00-21:00: Mayos masterclass in Plaza Mayor, organised by Grupo de Mayos de Morata de Tajuña.
  • 21:00: bachata workshop in Plaza Mayor, organised by Sofi and Alberto.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Tuesday 1 September 2026

  • 17:00: opening of the festival-poster exhibition at Casa Mac-Crohon.
  • 18:00-19:00: Bijbol tournament in Plaza Mayor.
  • 20:00: Grupo de Baile de María José Huertas performance in Plaza Mayor.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Wednesday 2 September 2026

  • 18:00-19:30: Bijbol tournament in Plaza Mayor.
  • 20:30: Grupo de Baile de Gema Yuste performance and María Isabel Music concert in Plaza Mayor.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Thursday 3 September 2026

  • 20:00: charity bingo in Plaza Mayor, supporting the Cáritas Parroquial food bank.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Friday 4 September 2026: opening address

  • 13:00: opening Spanish-wine reception at Centro Municipal de Mayores-Casa Mac-Crohon.
  • 16:00: mus card tournament final at Bar Restaurante Libra II.
  • 22:00: peña gathering from Plaza de Don Santiago to Plaza Mayor, with the brass bands of Peña El Botijo, Amajaris, Patatas Band, Ron y Bemol and other local musicians.
  • At the end: opening address and rocket in Plaza Mayor by the municipal band for its 30th anniversary.
  • 00:00: crowning of the festival queen and ladies in Plaza Mayor.
  • Afterwards: Benidorm orchestra in Plaza Mayor.
  • 02:00: DJ night in the Casa Riaza courtyard.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Saturday 5 September 2026

  • 10:00: morning parade with Giants and Big-head Figures from Plaza Mayor to Plaza de la Iglesia, with Agrupación Musical de Morata and fireworks.
  • At the end: children's opening address in Plaza de la Iglesia.
  • 12:00-14:00: children's workshops by Taller Creativo Wara in Plaza de la Iglesia.
  • 12:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00: inflatables in Plaza de la Iglesia.
  • 12:00: fourth Morata Chef in the church courtyard; the Town Council provides the potatoes and each participant supplies the rest. Fires are not allowed.
  • 16:00-19:00: karaoke in the church courtyard.
  • 20:00: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.
  • 00:30: Miami Show orchestra in Plaza Mayor.
  • 02:00: DJ night in the Casa Riaza courtyard.

Sunday 6 September 2026

  • 10:00: grandparents-and-grandchildren breakfast in Plaza Mayor.
  • 11:00: Jugando a los Toros in Plaza Mayor, organised by Asociación Taurina de Morata.
  • 20:30: float parade and competition from Plaza de la Iglesia to Plaza Mayor, with Agrupación Musical Morateña.
  • At the end: television-and-film fancy-dress night and Morata DJs in Plaza Mayor.
  • 21:30: novena at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.

Monday 7 September 2026: la Pólvora

  • 10:00: festive morning parade with Giants and Big-head Figures, starting and ending in Plaza Mayor, with the music group and fireworks.
  • 11:00: traditional games in Plaza Mayor, organised by Grupo Social de Mujeres.
  • 19:00: floral offering at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church.
  • 22:00: final novena, renewal of the town's vows and singing of the Salve in the church.
  • 00:00: Pólvora by Pirotecnia Vulcano, launched from Camino de la Alcoholera.
  • 00:30: Wanda orchestra in Plaza Mayor.
  • 02:00: DJ night in the Casa Riaza courtyard.

Tuesday 8 September 2026: la Función

  • 12:00: solemn Eucharist honouring Virgen de la Antigua at Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church, with Agrupación Coral Fco. González.
  • 14:00: Pirotecnia Vulcano mascletà in Plaza Mayor.
  • At the end: mayor's vermouth in Plaza de Espinardo.
  • 21:00: procession from the church to the Virgen de la Antigua chapel, with the Salve and a firework display at the chapel.
  • 00:30: Marsella orchestra in Plaza Mayor.
  • 02:00: DJ night in the Casa Riaza courtyard.

Wednesday 9 September 2026: bull-events day

  • 10:00: bull run and cattle release from Calle Real, with fireworks.
  • At the end: communal gachas in Calle Domingo Rodelgo, prepared by Grupo Social de Mujeres.
  • 18:15: clearing of the square by Agrupación Musical Morateña.
  • 18:30: novice bullfight with picadors in Plaza Mayor.

Thursday 10 September 2026

  • 19:00: Grand DiverPrix in Plaza Mayor, for a maximum of six teams of six and participants aged over 16.

Friday 11 September 2026

  • 18:00-19:00: Bijbol grand final in Plaza Mayor.
  • 19:00: Morata Games peña challenge in Plaza Mayor.
  • At the end: street parade visiting the peñas from Plaza Mayor, with Ron&Bemol and Patatas Band.
  • 00:00: night-time cow run from Plaza Mayor, with fireworks.
  • 02:00: DJ night in the Casa Riaza courtyard.

Saturday 12 September 2026

  • 10:30: transhumance from Camino del Fraile.
  • 13:00-19:00: late-afternoon DJ session in Calle del Carmen.
  • 19:00: soapbox race from Carretera de Arganda to Plaza Mayor.
  • 22:00: recortadores contest in Plaza Mayor.
  • 00:30: Remember DJ night in Plaza de la Cultura Martín Chirino.

Sunday 13 September 2026

  • 10:00: bull run and cattle release in Calle Real, with fireworks.
  • 14:00: communal stew in the Casa Riaza courtyard.
  • 18:15: clearing of the square by Agrupación Musical Morateña.
  • 18:30: 14th Camino hacia Las Ventas novice bullfighting competition without picadors in Plaza Mayor.
  • At the end: closing mascletà in Plaza Mayor.

Bull-run rules

Under-16s and anyone affected by alcohol or drugs may not take part. Participants must not attract the cattle's attention, run behind them, grab or harass them, or obstruct their route. Follow the barriers and instructions from officers and organisers.

Related information and official sources

See the general guide to the Virgen de la Antigua festival.