Las Fallas returns: what to expect from the Valencian festival
The Valencian festival which celebrates tradition, satire and art will take place across the city for the first time since the pandemic began
One of Spain’s craziest festivals has returned to the streets of Valencia this month after a two-year break.
Las Fallas, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, will reach the height of its festivities on the 15-19 March.
The historical event was declared a Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO back in 2016.
This year’s traditional activities include mascleates (fireworks), late night parties, and art installations, where around 800 monuments fill the streets with bright colour, satire and joy.
These giant sculptures (aka Fallas) are displayed across the city (Visit Valencia)
Valencian women wear traditional dress to parade the streets (Visit Valencia)
The origins of Las Fallas
Hundreds of years ago, carpenters used to burn their old remains from their workshops to mark the end of winter and the start of spring. This coincided with the celebrations of San José, the Patron Saint of Sarpenters.
Things may have changed for the festival since then, but on the 19 March the festival concludes with a range of small and large sculptures being set alight, creating a bonfire across the city alongside an elaborate firework display. This is called ‘Noche de la Cremà, meaning, ‘the evening the fallas are burned’.
Before this grand finale, though, visitors can enjoy days of parades and parties, with fireworks every day at 2pm, and the chance to take a guided tour of the incredible fallas before they shoot up in flames.
Las Fallas takes place throughout the month until 19 March, however the main celebrations which should not be missed are from 15-19 March.
Some COVID-19 restrictions are still in place with visitors asked to wear masks during the event where social distancing is not possible.
The fireworks during La Crema, the festival’s finale (Visit Valencia)
