Moors and Christians of Villena

The Moors and Christians of Villena (Spanish: Moros y Cristianos de Villena), is a Marian patronal festival held annually in Villena, Spain, from 4th September to 9th September. It is celebrated in honor of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes (Our Lady of the Virtues), an invocation of Mary, who is venerated as the city's patron saint and guardian against the Plague.

The festival in Villena has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Spain. With approximately 15,000 participants, it is one of the largest Moors and Christians festivals in Spain. The festival involves a high number of local participants relative to similar events in Spain. The procession features 14 comparsas (groups), half of which belong to a Moorish side and the other half to a Christian side, all dedicated to the Virgen de La Morenica, a local title for the Virgin Mary.

The main events of the festival take place from September 4th to 9th, with preliminary activities beginning on September 4th. Parades such as La Entrada (the Entrance Parade), held on the night of September 5th, or La Cabalgata Nocturna (the Great Night Parade) on September 6th, can last as long as seven or eight hours. Approximately 120 local and regional marching musical bands, from various regions of south-eastern Spain, also take part in the festivities.

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