2026 Wine Horses Programme in Caravaca

The main events of the Caballos del Vino were held on Friday, 1 May and Saturday, 2 May 2026, within the festivities of the Santísima y Vera Cruz de Caravaca. The official programme included the Bareback Horse Competition, the harnessing exhibitions, the parades, the blessing of wine and flowers, the race and the harnessing contest.

Notice: This page preserves the official programme published for 2026. The schedules and routes belong to that edition.

Thursday 30 April 2026

  • 07:00: general ringing of bells and large target flowered by the traditional race.
  • 09:30: official collection with authorities and representations of the Brotherhood, the Celebrations Commission and the festive establishments.
  • 00:00: LIII Migas del Sureste Contest in the Plaza de los Caballos del Vino and adjacent streets, with The Tracks and DJ Lázaro.

Friday, 1 May 2026

  • 11:00: concentration in the roundabout of the Brotherhood Town Hall, Celebrations Commission, Moro, Christian and Caballos del Vino sides and the public; climb to the Royal Basilica-Sanctuary.
  • 12:00: mass and offering of flowers to the Holy Cross, with the imposition of crosses on new brother brothers.
  • Durante todo el día: joint exhibition of harnesses of the Wine Horses in the authorized premises.
  • 16:00: concentration of the Bando de los Caballos del Vino in the Plaza de Paco Pim and the route to the Plaza de los Caballos del Vino for the Bareback Horse Competition.
  • 20:30: entrance of music bands from the Plaza de Paco Pim to the Plaza del Arco.
  • 22:00: interpretation of the Hymn to the City of Caravaca de la Cruz by the Caravaca Musical Group and fireworks.

Saturday 2 May 2026: tomorrow

  • 04:00: dawn of bells from the parish of El Salvador.
  • 07:00: aerial fireworks and general ringing of bells from the towers and belfries of the city.
  • 09:00: commemorative mass of the Apparition of the Holy Cross in the Templete. After the mass, transfer of the Flower Tray to the old church of the Company, on Calle Mayor.
  • 09:30: parades of horse clubs and Wine Horses. Main route: Plaza del Templete, Cuesta de la Simona, Calle del Hoyo, Plaza de los Caballos del Vino, Canalejas, Vidrieras, Gregorio Javier, Plaza del Arco, Gran Vía and return to Templete.
  • 09:30: Alternative route for the clubs that requested it: Templete, Avenida de los Andenes and Mayrena, until connecting in Gregorio Javier with the official route.
  • 12:00: Moors and Christians parade from Plaza del Templete to the Royal Basilica-Sanctuary, with the incorporation of authorities in Plaza del Arco.
  • 13:15: incorporation of the Bando de los Caballos del Vino at the intersection of Santísimo and Rafael Tejeo. Collection of the Flower Tray in the old church of the Company and offering in the Royal Basilica-Sanctuary.
  • A continuación: ritual of the Blessing of Wine and Flowers in the sanctuary.

Saturday, 2 May 2026: race and afternoon

  • 14:00 aproximadamente: Wine Horse Race and Harnessing Competition, after the blessing. The race took place in the last section of the Cuesta del Castillo.
  • 20:30: Combat drill of the Moro and Christian sides on the Cuesta del Castillo.
  • 21:00: processional transfer of the Most Holy and True Cross from the Royal Basilica-Sanctuary to the parish of El Salvador.

Monday, 4 May 2026

  • 10:30: children's parade of the Caballos del Vino from Plaza Paco Pim, along Gran Vía and Plaza del Arco, to the Royal Basilica-Sanctuary; presentation of trophies to the participating children's clubs.

Sources and related information

Consult the general file of the Caravaca de la Cruz Wine Horses to learn about its history, its competitions and its recognition by UNESCO.

Source: official programme of the Festivities of the Santísima y Vera Cruz de Caravaca 2026, published by the official Murcia Tourism portal.