Valencia Province - February 1-3 - "Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos".Located 98 kms. from Valencia; picturesque village on slopes of hill; church on summit, prehistoric caves (Covetes dels Moros].
Festival in honor of Patron Saint, San Blas. Mock battle between the Christian and Moorish Armies in which Moors are defeated. Followed by traditional Thanksgiving Mass and portrayed conversion of the Moorish Captain.
March 12-19 - "Fallas de San Josh".One of the three most famous of Spain's fiestas, featuring setting on fire of satirical papier-mache, wooden or cardboard figures in the streets of the city, accompanied by Europe's most spectacular display of fireworks in front of the town hall. Included also are bullfights, sports competitions, dancing and many other forms of celebration. The last three days of the festival are the most important, when the figures are set ablaze during the "Crema". Not the least feature of the festival is the Levantine gaity of the Valencians, among the most lively people in Spain.
Valencia Province - March 26 - April 2 - "Misterio de la Pasio".Located 7 km. from Valencia.
Realistic dramatic representation of the Passion and Death of Jesus, taking place in the Campo de Deportee. Crucifixion scene on final day takes place on Hill of Santa Barbara.
April 2-4 - "Fiestas de Primavera".Located 391 kms. from Madrid, capital of Murcia Province. University; Cathedral; museums. Mar Tenor tourist complex in vicinity; Arab artifacts of 10th century in La Nora and Alcantarilla.
Parade with horses which also exhibits local costumes of the Huerta with regional dances and music. Other features - "Battle of Flowers and Dance", "Burial of the Sardira", bullfights, folkloric events. The Sunday of the Resurrection is inaugeration of the exhibition fair of southeast Spain with typical regional handicraft.
Alicante Province - April 22-24 - "Fiestas de Moron y Cristianos".Located 54 kms. from Alicante; picturesque mountain setting; interesting folklore and customs; rich collection of lberian Ceramics in Municipal Museum.
Festival consists of masquerade parade of Moors and Christians during first day and night. Afterwards drama of seige and battle, culminating in defeat of Moors and celebrations.
Murcia Province - May 2-5 - "Fiestas de la Santisima Cruz de Caravaca".Located 72 kms. from Murcia; Castle of Santisima Cruz de Caravaca.
First day of festival: bands playing music and parade of carnival figures with large mask heads. Second day: grouping of Moors and Christians; procession for traditional Mass and afterwards to the Real Alcazar (Royal Fortress]. where "Race of the Wine-carrying Horses" takes place to determine the fastest riderless horse. In the afternoon - first mock skirmish between opposing "armies". Third day: solemn procession in the afternoon. with the "Santisima y Vera Cruz" and second mock skirmish. Fourth day: final skirmish and pilgrimage t" the sanctuary of the "Satisima y Vera Cruz".
Alicante Province - May 12-15 - "Fiestas Hispano. Arabes".Located 38 kms. from Alicante; mainly industrial.
Festival in honor of San Bonifacio. Mock battles between Arabs and Christians - very colourful role played by women in the festivities, with their local costumes.
June 21-30 - "Hogueras de San Juan".Located 416 kms. from Madrid; Mediterranean city with all-year-round fine weather; tourist center, with beautiful beaches.
On June 21 takes place "La Planta", a ceremony in which various artistic structures are placed in the streets and squares. At midnight on San Juan's day fireworks from Mount Beracartil are set off and the structures are burned. Other features are colorful parades, bullfights including an exhibition of bulls, folklore, etc. Typical "Bar-racas" are set up to which strangers are traditionally invited.
Murcia Province - July 16 - "Romera en honor de la Virgen del Carmen".Located 50 kms. from Murcia; typical town of the Mar Menor district.
Pilgrims wend their way through fishing quarter of Santa Maria de Gracia; in Lo Pagan they embark in boats for maritime procession as far as Santiago de la Ribera and back again; afternoon festivities include regatas; in the evening - concert and fireworks display on the sea.
Alicante Province - July 25-29 - "Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos".Located 30 kms. from Alicante with pebble beaches; tower of ancient wall that once surrounded the tovvn.
Festivities consist of mock sea battle beginning at first light of dawn; Christians defeated. Then mock battle on the beach ending with Moors taking Villajoyosa; finally recapture of town and driving of invaders back out to sea. Triumphal procession through streets.
Alicante Province - August 13-15 - "Misterio de Elche".Located 21 kms. from Alicante; noteworthy churches, Basilica of Santa Maria; lberian and Roman finds; famous palm groves such as "Huerto del Cura"; other monuments.
This festival is the only extant example of primitive lyrical theatre, popularly known as "Festa". Entire drama is sung, and performed inside Basilica of Santa Maria.
Valencia Province - August 22 - September 3 - "Ferias y Fiestas de la Verdimia".Located 76 kms. from Valencia; castle, now Museum of Wines; Gothic Gateways; Palace of El Cid.
Four days of festivities, including proclamation of "queen", who inaugerates allegorical monument to Fiesta de la Verdimia, containing wine for celebrants to drink. The monument is annually erected and burnt. Also exhibits of agricultural machinery, painting, musical processions, contests, parade of horses, bullfights, concerts, fireworks, etc.
Alicante Province - September 4-9 - "Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos".Located 59 kms. from Alicante; castle; Church of Santiago; Municipal Palace; important Archaeological Museum.
Festival in honor of town's Patron Saint, Nuestra Senora de Ins Virtudes; very rich in folklore, including processions, masquerades, parades and pilgrimage to the sanctuary; typical costumes, dances, songs, music and instruments.