There are hundreds of Christians or "bugios", men, women and children, and they dress in colourful clothes. They are commanded by the " Velho " (the old man). The Muslims or "Mourisqueiros" are twenty single boys commanded by the "Reimoeiro" and function as a military group.

Early in the morning Sobrado begins to cheer up. Each group gathers together at their leaders' house and they dance the Dança da Apresentação (Presentation Dance).

At the end of the morning, the Mourisqueiros invade the church and carry away the image of S. João Baptista, joining the procession.

At the beginning of the afternoon, escorted by the band, the Mourisqueiros dance down the road the Dança de Entrada (Entry Dance), on the way to the Passal (the festivity's yard); the Bugios repeat the same dance afterwards. Each group occupies a definite position at the opposite tops of the Passal, that we call "castelos " (castles).

The " armies" rest and meanwhile new ritual scenes take place. The first is "Cobrança dos Direitos" (taxes collecting), the second is " Sementeira e Lavra da Praça " (sowing and ploughing) and finally, the " Dança do Cego" (blind man dance).
In the middle of the afternoon, the two groups are taken to their castles by the band, that plays "Marcha de S. João" (St. John March). By now each group is launching attacks, sending out emissaries to solve the dispute peacefully, but agreement is not reached, so the battle is inevitable.

The Mourisqueiros conquer the Bugios' castle and arrest the "Velho". Bugios' despair is great. It is only when the Mourisqueiros' army think that they have won that a miracle takes place. Suddenly, out of nowhere, comes the " Serpe " (a dragon) to help the Bugios against the Mourisqueiros and free the "Velho". The " Bugiada " finishes with both groups dancing separately the " Dança do Santo " (Dance of the Saint). Firework announces the end of the festivity.