Festival de la Luna Mora

Festival de la Luna Mora, Guaro

Like many of the white villages of Andalucía, Guaro (inland from Marbella) dates back to the Arabic occupation of Spain. The small community of some 2,500 people keeps its Moorish history very much alive with the annual ‘Festival de la Luna Mora' or Festival of the Moorish Moon.

Held over first or second weekend in September it was originally held between the middle two weekends of each September, this arts, crafts and music festival has grown from a humble celebration into a significant event playing host to local, national and international talent.

Artists from the fields of classical, popular and flamenco music and dance offer concerts in the village's purpose built, open-air amphitheatre. Past performers have included internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Paco de Lucía; contemporary flamenco/pop singer Diana Navarro; and Malaga-born pop singer Pablo Alborán.

Throughout the evenings of the festival there is a Moorish style street souk, and the entire village is illuminated by over 20,000 candles.  

This is a very popular festival attended by thousands and special parking arrangements are made outside the village. 

Dates

Fri 8th and Sat 9th September 2023 with events from 17,00 hrs to 01,30 hrs

Typical Annual Schedule

Friday

Opening of the Moorish souk - 17:00 hours.
Workshop with candles in the streets of the town. Meeting at the Haima tent - 17:30 hours.
Lighting of candles - 18:00 hours.
Therapeutic workshop in the Haima tent - from 18:30 to 22:00 hours.
Storytelling in the square - 21:00 hours.
Oriental dance parade through the Moorish souk - 21:30 hours.
Henna workshop in the Haima tent - 22:30 hours.
Rasel in concert in the sports stadium - 23:00 hours.
Flamenco-Andalusian fusion music by Al Qantara Group in the Al-Andalus Tower - 0:45 hours.

Saturday

Opening of the Moorish souk - 17:00 hours.
Workshop with candles in the streets of the town. Meeting at the Haima tent - 17:30 hours.
Lighting of candles - 18:00 hours.
Therapeutic workshop in the Haima tent - from 18:30 to 22:00 hours.
Storytelling in the square - 21:00 hours.
Oriental dance parade through the Moorish souk - 21:30 hours.
Belly dancing workshop in the Haima tent - 10:30 pm.
Nyno Vargas in concert at the sports staduim - 23:00 hours.
Music and dance 'Thousand and one nights' in Torre Al-Andalus - 0:45 hours.

Since 2015 the core festival has taken place just one of the mid-weekends of September.( 11th & 12th 2015, 9th & 10th 2016, 8th & 9th 2017).  Before 2014 the festival took place over a double weekend  (6th & 7th and 13th & 14th 2013, 5th & 6th and 12th & 13th 2014). 

Destinations

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