Valencia Fallas

The Fallas of Valencia is not just a festival where you go out to admire the art displayed in the immense monuments that Valencians have worked on for an entire year—no. At the Fallas, you will experience much more: music, art, food, culture, and next-level fireworks.

For many years, I lived in Valencia and eagerly awaited the arrival of March, as it was the perfect time to create unforgettable memories with old friends, new friends, and family. Together, we strolled through the city to see the most beautiful and sometimes bizarre monuments. However, we always had two must-see events, one during the day and one at night: the Mascletà and the Castillo.

The Mascletà is a gathering of thousands of people in the city center of Valencia to experience the powerful sound of fireworks, so loud it reverberates through the entire city, filling everyone with excitement. The Castillo, on the other hand, is an incredible fireworks display lasting up to 20 minutes. It takes place along the old riverbed, well past midnight, leaving spectators in awe.

This UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event is a visual spectacle that combines tradition, satire, and art. It’s a unique celebration in honor of Saint Joseph, held annually from March 1-19. From vibrant parades to pyrotechnic displays, “Las Fallas” transforms the city into an open-air museum, adorned with magnificent monuments, known as “fallas”, meticulously crafted and set aflame in an unforgettable night of bonfires and joy.

The heartbeat of the festival lies in the dedicated local communities known as “casals fallers”, who spend the entire year preparing for this grand fiesta. Each casal faller creates a unique “falla”, a monument filled with “ninots” – artistic figures often satirizing current events or popular figures. These massive structures, often several stories high, made of paper-mâché, wood, wax, and polystyrene, form the centerpiece of this spectacular celebration. In a grand parade, they proudly display their creations before eventually setting them alight in the spirit of rebirth and renewal.

Modernity meets tradition in “Las Fallas” – from historical costumes reflecting Valencia’s rich past, to the inclusion of contemporary figures among the “ninots”. Amid the melodic sounds of “dolçaina” and “tabalet”, you’ll find characters like Shrek, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Lady Gaga in the crowd! However, the festival is not just about fun and frolic. It’s an immersive cultural experience where you witness, firsthand, the unity of a community, their dedication to tradition, and their spirit of celebration. So, pack your bags, brace for the fireworks, and step into the colorful, noisy, fiery world of “Las Fallas”!