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Patron saint festival Regional Tourist Interest

Fiestas de la Santísima y Vera Cruz en Abanilla

Abanilla, Murcia · Región de Murcia

2026 edition

25–30 April 2026

✔ Official dates confirmed

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2026 programme

  1. 19 March, 17:00 · Ordinary General Assembly of the Hermandad de la Santísima Cruz and title auction
  2. 18 April, 10:30 · Selection of winning drawings for the XXXI School Drawing Competition Fiestas de la Santa Cruz - Moros y Cristianos
  3. 18 April, 20:15 · Gathering of Music Bands for the parade (Paseo de la Ermita)
  4. 18 April, 20:30 · XIII Festival de Bandas de Música "Villa de Abanilla" (Plaza de la Constitución)
  5. 24 April, 01:00 · Night of DJ performances (Campamento Festero)
  6. 24 April, 21:00 · XLII Opening Proclamation (Pregón de Fiestas) and Crowning of the 2026 Moor and Christian Queens ("Pascual Saurín Cutillas" sports hall)
  7. 24 April, 23:30 · Official opening of the public street parties and open-air dance with the "Kacike" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  8. 25 April, 00:30 · Open-air dance with the "Cristal" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  9. 25 April, 01:30 · Gathering of festival-goers, balcony greeting, performance of "Abanilla en Fiestas", parade, opening of the Campamento Festero and performance by the group "The Tracks" and DJs (Plaza de la Constitución)
  10. 25 April, 12:00 · Vermouth with DJ music (Campamento Festero)
  11. 25 April, 21:00 · Dinner of the kábilas and mesnadas (cuartelillos)
  12. 26 April, 17:00 · Presentation of children's groups (Plaza de la Lonja, C/ Mayor, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ San José, Avda. Juan Carlos I and Paseo de la Ermita)
  13. 26 April, 19:00 · Performance of the Children's Moorish and Christian Embassy (Paseo de la Ermita)
  14. 26 April, 19:30 · Prize giving for the XXXI School Drawing Competition
  15. 29 April, 17:30 · Children's Day at the funfair (fairground)
  16. 30 April, 00:15 · Moor and Christian parade entry and presentation of festival positions (Plaza de la Lonja, C/ Mayor, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ San José and Avda. Juan Carlos I)
  17. 30 April, 01:00 · DJ performance (Campamento Festero)
  18. 30 April, 19:30 · Pick-up of Festival Positions for transfer to Plaza Constitución (Plaza Constitución)
  19. 30 April, 20:30 · Performance of the Senior Embassy (Plaza de la Constitución)
  20. 30 April, 23:30 · Open-air dance with the "Pentagrama" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  21. 1 May, 10:00 · Mass (Parroquia de San José)
  22. 1 May, 10:00 · "Kalimba" Batucada drumming group (streets of Abanilla)
  23. 1 May, 12:00 · Beer fountain and "Los de la Música" brass band (Plaza de la Purísima)
  24. 1 May, 18:30 · Grand Parade of Kábilas and Mesnadas (Avda. Región de Murcia, C/ Francisco Salzillo, Plaza de la Constitución, C/ Mayor and Plaza de la Lonja)
  25. 1 May, 23:00 · Performance by Germán Marco and open-air dance with the "Flama" Orchestra and mobile disco (Paseo de la Ermita)
  26. 2 May, 16:00 · Drum parade accompanying the Sergeants
  27. 2 May, 17:00 · Mass (Parroquia de San José)
  28. 2 May, 17:00 · Pick-up and transfer to Plaza de la Constitución of the Festival Positions and Captains (Plaza de la Constitución)
  29. 2 May, 17:30 · Performance by the Coros y Danzas "Santísima Cruz" of Abanilla (Plaza de la Constitución)
  30. 2 May, 18:00 · Solemn Flower Offering to the Santísima Cruz (From Plaza de la Constitución to San José Church)
  31. 2 May, 22:00 · Concert by "La Húngara" with guest artist "La Espartera" (Football Pitch)
  32. 2 May, 23:00 · Open-air dance with the "Madison" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  33. 3 May, 05:00 · Drum parade accompanying the Sergeants
  34. 3 May, 06:00 · Dawn musical procession (Diana floreada) and pick-up of Pages and Captains
  35. 3 May, 07:30 · Solemn Mass and Pilgrimage with the Patron Saint to her Ermita de Mahoya (From Parroquia de San José to Ermita de Mahoya)
  36. 3 May, 23:00 · Open-air dance with the "Shadow" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  37. 8 May, 23:00 · Open-air dance with the "Kalhima" Orchestra (Paseo de la Ermita)
  38. 8 May, 23:59 · Performance by the musical group "Reverse" and DJ (Campamento Festero)
  39. 9 May, 01:30 · Fireworks display and DJ performances (Paseo de la Ermita and Campamento Festero)
  40. 9 May, 10:00 · Drum parade and pick-up of festival positions

Sources: abanilla.es · abanilla.es · Web oficial del Ayuntamiento de Abanilla (abanilla.es)

Where it is and getting there

Paseo de la Ermita · Abanilla

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Sources: abanilla.es

Introduction and local significance

The Fiestas de la Santísima y Vera Cruz in Abanilla, declared a Regional Tourist Interest festival, are officially celebrated from 25 to 30 April 2026 in this municipality in the Region of Murcia. This patron saint festival fervently combines religious devotion to the patron saint with the eye-catching spectacle of the comparsas (parade groups) that make up the Moor and Christian sides. During these days, locals and visitors actively take part in a programme that transforms the town, drawing numerous devotees and revelers. The kábilas and mesnadas (Moorish and Christian festival groups) display an intense flurry of activity in their cuartelillos (group headquarters), establishing this event as one of the most outstanding cultural and festive fixtures on the local calendar.

Historical origins and tradition

The celebrations are deeply rooted in the devotional history of the Santísima Cruz and the memory of the medieval clashes between Muslims and Christians in the region. Among the most unique rituals is the performance of the Embajada Infantil Mora y Cristiana, an event where the younger generations enact traditional speeches (parlamentos). Later, the senior festival positions take center stage in the Embajada Mayor in the Plaza de la Constitución, recreating the dialectical and military battles for control of the town square. The traditional programme also includes the solemn rodaje de bandera (flag-waving ritual) in iconic spots such as the Plaza de la Constitución and the Paseo de la Ermita, showcasing the skill of the flag-bearers. Another deeply devout moment is the Solemne Ofrenda Floral (Floral Offering) to the Santísima Cruz, which proceeds from the Plaza de la Constitución to the church of San José. The festival culminates in the popular romería (pilgrimage) carrying the patron saint to her Ermita de Mahoya, a journey marked by devotion where the traditional opening of the pomegranate containing peace doves takes place. Finally, the Captains lead the VÍTOR through the streets of the town to close the festivities.

Programme and main events

The festive calendar extends beyond the main dates with a broad prelude of cultural and musical events starting weeks in advance. Highlights beforehand include the Ordinary General Assembly of the Hermandad de la Santísima Cruz, the selection of the winning drawings from the School Competition, and the XIII Festival de Bandas de Música "Villa de Abanilla" in the Plaza de la Constitución. The official start features the XLII Pregón de Fiestas (opening proclamation) and the crowning of the Moor and Christian Queens at the Pascual Saurín Cutillas sports hall. The following days are packed with massive parades, the inauguration of the Campamento Festero (festival camp), and open-air street parties (verbenas) at the Paseo de la Ermita. Anyone interested can consult the detailed programme with exact times and locations in the top tab of this page.

Traditional festival food

During the celebration of the Fiestas de la Santísima y Vera Cruz in Abanilla, festival-goers and visitors take part in various culinary and social gatherings organised alongside the official events. Highlighted points on the programme include the dinners of the kábilas and mesnadas hosted in the local cuartelillos. Likewise, the schedule includes popular and characteristic events such as the fuente de la cerveza (beer fountain), enlivened by the charanga (brass band) Los de la Música in the Plaza de la Purísima, where crowds gather to enjoy shared moments of leisure.

Visitor guide and where to stay

To plan your visit to Abanilla during the festivities, it is essential to consider the traffic and security regulations established by the local council. Temporary parking restrictions will be in place on the day of the Moor and Christian Parade, from 11:00 until the end of the event, scheduled around 00:00. The installation of non-security-related objects, standing or seated people, or vehicles unrelated to emergency services at crossroads along the route and evacuation paths is strictly prohibited. Due to the large influx of visitors attracted by the Fiestas de la Santísima y Vera Cruz in Abanilla, it is advisable to book accommodation well in advance, both within the municipality and in neighbouring towns. On days with the highest concentration of events, using public transport or leaving your vehicle parked outside the urban centre is recommended to make walking to the Paseo de la Ermita and Plaza de la Constitución much easier.