Our Lady of Loreto Patronal and Moors and Christians Festival in Santa Pola

Santa Pola closes the summer with a festival that joins devotion to its patron, Virgen de Loreto, to the staged encounters, embassies and entrances of the Moors and Christians. Events fill the town centre, the Castle-Fortress and Levante beach.

Usual dates

The festival usually runs from 31 August to 8 September. The opening address begins the cycle; the first three September days focus mainly on Moors and Christians; local festival groups lead the events on the 4th, 5th and 6th, while the 7th and 8th centre on Virgen de Loreto.

See the Santa Pola 2026 festival programme.

Where it takes place

Plaza de la Glorieta and the Castle-Fortress form the ceremonial heart. The entrances pass through El Palmeral and along Calle Elche, Glorieta and Calle Muelle; the embassies are staged before the fortress, and Levante beach hosts the Moorish Landing and the principal fireworks. Other events use Auditorio El Palmeral, Avenida de los Baños and the kábilas, cuartelillos and barracas.

Moors and Christians

The sequence includes the Moorish Landing on Levante beach, the Moorish Embassy, the Sostracà and the Moorish Entrance on 1 September. The Christian Embassy, Reconquest and Christian Entrance follow on the 2nd. Both sides parade together in the grand entrance on 3 September.

The Asociación Festero Cultural de Moros y Cristianos comprises seven comparsas: Beduinos and Llaganyosos on the Moorish side, and Contrabandistas del Mar, Piratas, Almogàvers, Templarios and Astures on the Christian side.

Patronal events and traditions

  • Opening address, ceremonial lighting and opening of the barracas.
  • Despertàs, musical parades, cohetàs and mascletàs.
  • Embassies, staged fighting, entrances and withdrawals of both sides.
  • Sopar del Cabasset, decorated streets, Correfocs and the Multicolour Parade.
  • Floral offering and serenade to Virgen de Loreto on 7 September.
  • Mass, motet and the patron's procession on 8 September.
  • Firework displays from the breakwater at Levante beach.

Organisation and recognition

The council coordinates the municipal events and works with the Asociación Festero Cultural de Moros y Cristianos and the other festival groups. Bands, traditional music groups, a choir, clubs and other local organisations take part in a celebration designated a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest of the Valencian Community.

8 September is also the local feast of Virgen de Loreto; the employment holiday calendar should be checked against the relevant official publication each year.

Sources

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