Europe’s loudest festival, Las Fallas in Valencia
15 – 19 March 2022
Basic Information
When: 15 – 19 March 2022
Where: Valencia, Spain
Official website: visitvalencia.com
Hotels: Hotels in Valencia
Las Fallas Fiesta is known for its lights, gunpowder, traditional costumes, fireworks or music, so visiting Las Fallas and Valencia in middle March is a great travel tip.
Las Fallas takes place every year on the dates 15 – 19 March.
About Las Fallas
Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean coast, the city of Valencia celebrates spring’s arrival with a spectacular program.
It’s a combination of fiesta, fireworks, quality satire shows – all together placed under the one name – Las Fallas.
Every street in the city centre shows colourful giant paper figures known as ninots, often several meters tall, placed in fantasy groups at the parade’s end – made to make fun with political figures or soap stars.
Every day at 2 pm, there’s a “la Mascleta” – the concert of gunpowder with simultaneously exploding of hundreds of mascots.
For those who love charming ceremonies, March 17 and 18 is an event that honours Valencia’s patron Virgin when thousands of “Falleras” come to the city centre in traditional costumes.
This festival dates back to when carpenters cleared their workshops, throwing out an old wood at the end of winter.
Over the centuries – it grew into the series of events that placed Valencia on the map of most exciting events, festivals and carnivals in March in Europe.
The roots are in pagan cleansing rituals, heralding spring and a new start.
There’s something spectacular about seeing these vast paper-and-wood figures reduced to ash.
What is suggested not to miss if visiting Valencia during Las Fallas is a spectacular firework usually displayed in the Paseo de la Alameda on March 19. The moment when all Fallas burn all over the city in a spectacle of fire.
Las Fallas firework wars
The floral parades end around midnight, and the Nit de Foc begins with a formal hour-long firework display.
It starts with a spectacular show, but this is the night that can become a firework war.
You might prefer to be as safe as possible during this Guerra de Los Petardos – and you’ll probably need earplugs if you want a wink of sleep.
The vital thing to add is that this carnival is not lasting only for mentioned few days.
It is a series of events that run throughout March each year, and it all starts on March 1 with Mascleta at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2 pm.
It all finishes on March 19, with a program that lasts from 11 am to 1 am – March 20.
Children have their own Fallas events.
Young visitors might find the main events scary, although little Valencian locals come muffled up against stray sparks.
The best sights for youngsters are their very own ninot figurines.
These go on show for a few days at a central shopping mall before they’re set up on street corners.
The burning of all the ninots happens on huge bonfires at the Town Hall Square, with a special early evening bonfire for the children.
For more information about Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain, check the official page of the festival:
https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/events-valencia/festivities/the-fallas
Useful information
- There are official warnings for pregnant women and anyone with a weak heart.
- You really could end up playing with fire, and you might want to pack your earplugs.
Hotel tip
Caro Hotel – Valencia¨
If you want a unique experience, book a room at Caro Hotel.
A 19th-century palace situated in the centre of Valencia.
Only a short walk from the Cathedral.
Caro is an excellent mix of modern design with historical heritage, designed by Francesc Rifé.
The restaurant serves Mediterranean food with a modern twist.
Caro Hotel is in the middle of things to see in the centre.
Some parts of this unique hotel are 2000 years old.
Valencia’s main square has popular hotels with stunning views
Start choosing where to stay some period ahead if you can – the best rooms sell out fast.
There are options from budget to boundless extravagance, but most prices double for Las Fallas, whether you choose a hostel or a five-star hotel.
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