On the first Friday of February, the Moors and Christians patron saint festival is held in honour of Sant Blai, which has been declared of National Tourist Interest. Its roots, tradition, colour and culture make these festivities one of the most attractive. The variety of clothing, music and gunpowder involve both visitors and participants in a festive atmosphere that is difficult to ignore.
Nine filaes actively participate in the festival: five Christians (Espanyoletos, Granaders, Contrabandistas, Suavos and Estudiants) and four Moors (Moros Vells, Moros Marins, Marrocs and Mosqueters).
FRIDAY: LES CAIXES
With the Nit de Caixes, the festivities begin; hundreds of festive people dressed in the traditional Bocairentine blanket, the tabalets and lanterns go through the most emblematic streets of the town with great noise to commemorate the patronage of Sant Blai since 1632.
SATURDAY: THE ENTRANCE
The Entrance puts the touch of color to the parties. The Christians begin the parade with their joyful pasodobles to end, at nightfall, the parade of the Moorish side with their slow and emotional Moorish marches.
SUNDAY: DAY OF THE PATRON SAINT SANT BLAI
One of the most emblematic acts is the procession on Saint Blai’s Day; the entrance of the saint to the Town Hall Square, the relic and the Script of Saint Blai must be highlighted, at which time, to the sound of the tolling of the bells, everyone joins in a cry: “Vitol to the Patron Saint Blai”, the lights are turned off and an avalanche of small papers fall on the image.
MONDAY: DAY OF THE MOORS AND CHRISTIANS
The Embassies on the fourth day are the staging of the parliament between Moors and Christians for the conquest of the castle. The day is marked by the large amount of gunpowder fired through the main streets of the municipality.
TUESDAY: DAY OF THE HOLY CHRIST
On the day of the Holy Christ, the pilgrimage of festivalgoers and musicians to the chapel is remarkable, turning the road to Calvary into an immense cordon of colours, and the “Despojo del Moro” is represented.