The most eagerly awaited moment of the year has arrived for Valencians: the Fallas? a very special holiday that is celebrated from 15 to 19 March and that's when the city fills with joy (even more than usual), music, colour and noise, a lot of noise. It is a tradition like no other in which gunpowder is the main protagonist. Imagine that...
Bands can be heard in the street, people dancing around. Decoration of lights. Churros and chocolate stalls and works of art in every street called "churros con chocolate". els Ninots.
It is a week in which the city is awake 24 hours a day: Valencia doesn't sleep, it doesn't want to miss a second of its long-awaited moment.
These works of art, els Ninots, are giant monuments made of papier-mâché that represent the work of a whole year by the Fallas artists (yes, there is a profession dedicated exclusively to the Fallas) in which satires and criticisms of social awareness are depicted.
Every year, about 800 Fallas monuments in 400 locations all over the city. This act, called la plantà, The competition takes place on 15th March and from then onwards, only one will be the winner. It is then burnt on the night of 19 March.
A unique festivity that in 2016 was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO?️
Want to know what made them so special? 
A Falla of the Town Hall, Valencia
For reasons such as:
- They encourage cohesion social
- They put in value the heritage of other village fire festivals in the Mediterranean area
- Inspires, gives freedom of expression and promotes creativity and craftsmanship.
- It is transmitted from generation to generation
- The local community, governments and universities support it
- The following are Assets of Cultural Interest and Valencian Cultural Heritage
The essentials
Since we know that you can't be everywhere, we have grouped together the acts that you MUST experience. If only to cross 3 off your list of things to do before you die. ?
But first to show you our programme of events in particular we leave you the best tips to make the most of this event...Here we go!
Visiting a Falla at night, wearing the typical scarf
Our advice as good Valencian women
Mascletà you have every day at 14:00h from March 1st., so choose the one that suits you best and if you can be early to take your place (1h before or more). Take a sandwich and something to drink and wait in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, you'll see what a great atmosphere there is.
Fire castles there are on 16, 17 and 18 March. But we recommend you to go to the Nit del Foc, as it is the most spectacular par excellence.
The streets with the best lights are Cuba and Sueca, in the Ruzafa neighbourhood.
The Most spectacular faults are usually: Falla Convento de Jerusalem, Falla del Ayuntamiento, Falla del Mercado Central, Falla Na Jordana, Falla Cuba Literato-Azorín, Falla Sueca Literato-Azorín, Falla Plaza del Pilar, among others.
Everyone carries a Fallas scarf, Don't miss it. You can buy it in any shop in the city centre (see photo above).
Every street has its own little stall of chocolate with churros or pumpkin doughnuts, stopping to try them is a must.
The cremà of the Town Hall is usually the most striking.
The Sunday 19 in the morning visit the Plaza de la Virgen and you will be surprised.
Enter all the verbenas that you see dancing: these places are marquees where the falleros put on shows, play DJ music and sell drinks until late at night, anyone who wants can enter.
If it's your first time, we recommend that you do this experience to learn more about the secrets of Valencia and this extraordinary festival.
Eating in the centre in Fallas will be a challenge, but if you don't arrive late, it's a classic to have tapas standing up (yes, standing up) in the ‘'Fallas''.‘‘Bar Central», located on the corner of C/ Ercilla (opposite the Central Market).
On the weekend of 10 and 11 March there are already special events around the city. If you are a fan of the electronic music, we leave you this great event to make a note in your diary.
AHH - The City Council also programmes concerts all over the city, on the river, in the Town Hall square... You can check the programme on the website.
Like mythical festivals ?? we leave you: the Verbena de la Falla Vicente Sancho Tello in the Aragón area, the Verbena de Blanquerías, next to the Torres de Serranos, the Verbena del Parterre, the Verbena de la Falla Císcar-Burriana in the Ruzafa area or the verbenas around the Town Hall area.
Offering in the Plaza de la Virgen of Valencia
Programme of Fallas events not to be missed
Here you have the fallero programme, but only with what we think is most important when visiting Fallas, without having time to get to all the events.
Everything in bold are unique events: you can't miss the opportunity to experience them.
Tuesday 14 March
9:30h - Fallas Tour: discover the best kept secrets of this unique celebration. You will be able to enter a Falla and see what life is like inside, as well as contemplate its ninot before it is exhibited to the public. Click here for more details
14:00 h. - Mascletà“ in the Town Hall Square.
17:00 h.- Closing of the exhibition of the children's ninot.
They start the official Fallas week, hold on!
Wednesday 15 March
08:00 h. - “Plantà” of all the children's fallas.
9:30h - Fallas Tour
14:00 h. - Mascletà“ in the Town Hall Square.
00:00 h. - L'Albà de les Falles throughout the city with a fireworks display in the Town Hall Square.
What is l'albà? It is the act that begins, that warns all fallerxs and visitors that it is the night of the plantà. The sky of Valencia lights up with fireworks of all kinds and colours, and will include the participation of the 300 fallera commissions.
Thursday 16 March
08:00 h. - “Plantà” of all the fallas.
9:30h - Fallas Tour
14:00h. - Mascletà“ in the Town Hall Square.
00:00 h. - Fireworks display in the Turia Garden, near the Palau de les Arts.
The first castle
Friday 17 March
9:30h - Fallas Tour
14:00h.- “Mascletà” in the Town Hall Square.
15:30 - 23:55: - Offering of flowers to the Mare de Déu.
01:00 h. - Fireworks display in the Turia Garden, near the Palau de les Arts.
Saturday 18 March
9:30h - Fallas Tour
14:00 h. - Mascletà“ in the Town Hall Square.
15:30 - 01:00: Offering of flowers to the Mare de Déu.
01:30h: «Nit del foc»: Fireworks display in the Turia Garden, near the Palau de les Arts.
This castle is not to be missed! It is the best.
Sunday 19 March
9:30h - Fallas Tour
14:00 h. - Mascletà“ in the Town Hall Square.
18:00 h. -Cavalcade of Fire along Calle Colón, from Calle Ruzafa to Plaza de la Porta la Mar.
Incredible fire parade through the streets of the centre of Valencia.
20:00 h. - Cremà“ of the children's fallas.
20:30 h. - Cremà“ of the children's falla that has won first prize in the Special Section.
21:00 h. - Cremà“ of the children's falla in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
22:00 h. - Cremà“ of all the fallas of Valencia.
22:30 h. - Cremà“ of the falla that has won first prize in the Special Section.
23:00h. - “Cremà” of the "falla" in the Town Hall Square
Our favourite
Now that you have the programme and advice from Valencians (and falleros), there's nothing left for you to give it your all in the coolest celebration of the year.
Enjoy!
Other activities to do in March in Valencia:
- Visit the Europe's longest navigable underground river
- Conquer the mighty Xàtiva Castle
- Let yourself be dazzled by the most beautiful sunset in the Albufera Natural Park
- Flee from the crowds of falleras in the Utiel-Requena wine country
Fallas fireworks display