Patron Saint Festivities of the Virgen del Rosario and San Roque

Description

Throughout the festival, several processions carry the image of the patron saint through the town's streets; the first of these includes the opening skirmishes between Moors and Christians. Bull runs are also held ("la vaquilla del aguardiente").

On the first night, an event is held in the main square to choose the festival queen and her maids of honour.

Sack races, essay and drawing competitions, dance contests, ribbon races on horseback, donkey races, log-cutting, tug of war, greasy poles, a swimming competition and a marathon from Carchelejo to Cárchel are all held.
A floral offering is made to the patron saint, using bouquets provided by the town hall.

A parade of giants and big-heads takes place.

The Moors and Christians performance re-enacts the following scene:

After several unsuccessful attempts, the image of the Virgin is captured by the Moorish army during the procession on the afternoon of the 14th and taken to the castle, built of wood for the occasion in the square. In the morning, the Christians attempt to storm the castle, but fail; it is then that the Christian king sends an embassy that argues with the Moor over the Christian religion and the Virgin, ending in a fresh skirmish and victory for the Christians. The costumes are brightly coloured, with those of the Christian army particularly striking, adorned with bunches of flowers on their hats.

The mock battles between the armies are also curious, featuring movements reminiscent of old stick-dance traditions.

During the performance, numerous shotgun shots are fired, and at the end, the couples pass by the Virgin's platform, still inside the castle, and once at the top, with shotguns in both their hands, they fire a few rounds into the air.