Ultimate Guide to Las Fallas Festival in Valencia: Must-See Events & Activities

Imagine hundreds of intricate, colorful paper sculptures filling the streets of Spain’s third-largest city. Constructed in painstaking detail over several days, these finished products tower over the spectators marveling at them from down below.

Then, suddenly, these spectacular works of art are burned in epic bonfires that rage throughout the city as part of an all-night party lasting until dawn.

As the most iconic festival in Valencia (and one of the most famous festivals in Spain), Las Fallas is an exquisite sight to behold and a true once-in-a-lifetime party. While the aforementioned giant paper sculptures and huge fires are the main draw, there’s much more to see and experience at this colorful, vibrant celebration. Here’s what to add to your agenda if you’ll be at Las Fallas, occurring every year from March 15–19.

View and Admire the Sculptures

Sculptures, or ninots, are displayed throughout the city for everyone to see. There are hundreds of ninots, often towering more than 20 feet high and depicting satirical takes on public figures and pop culture.

Constructed practically overnight in the festival’s early days, the ninots are paraded throughout the city, allowing all to marvel at these stunning, unique works of art. Before the final burning takes place on the last night, attendees vote on one ninot to be saved from the flames and preserved in the Fallas Museum.

Witness La Cremà (the Burning of the Sculptures)

The main reason many attend the Las Fallas festival is to witness the burning of the sculptures on the final evening. The event starts small with the burning of the children’s sculptures at 10 p.m., growing larger throughout the night.

The most significant burning occurs with the sculpture in the town hall (ayuntamiento) plaza, starting around 1 a.m. This last fire of the night draws massive crowds, music, and even its own small fireworks display.

Experience the Events of La Mascletà

If you thought that the Las Fallas festivities only occur during the main event from March 15–19, think again. Starting from March 1 and ongoing every day until the festival concludes, an epic display of gunpowder explosions rips through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2 p.m. This event, known as the mascletà, features explosions set to heart-stopping rhythms.

You can hear the mascletà from all around the city, but if you’re daring enough to brave the sounds, be sure to head to Plaza del Ayuntamiento to experience it up close. Acrobats perform in the streets, providing a visual element as the rockets leave smoke trails during detonation.

Wake Up to the Sounds of La Despertà

Forgot to set your alarm after partying all night at Las Fallas? No need to worry—you won’t need it. Partygoers supply their own despertà, or wake-up call, by dropping firecrackers outside people’s windows at 8 a.m. With locals proud to host this massive event, there’s no sleeping on their watch; they want everyone up and enjoying the festivities!

This mischievous yet well-intentioned tradition can take some adjusting. If you’re unable to sleep after this unconventional wake-up call, head to the nearest café to enjoy some soul-warming churros con chocolate or the traditional Valencian delicacies known as fartons with a glass of horchata. To truly engage in the festival spirit, try some buñuelos.

The Flower Offering

The Las Fallas festival isn’t solely about noise and fire (though that is a big part of it). If you are intrigued by the event but prefer to avoid late-night parties, the flower offering may be more your speed.

On March 17 and 18, thousands of locals dress in traditional costumes, dancing to the music of the marching band on their way through the city. Their destination: Plaza de la Virgen, where they lay elaborate floral bouquets in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

This procession starts around 3:30 p.m., with festivities in the Plaza de la Virgen often lasting well past midnight. This emotional and solemn event is among the most authentic ways to immerse yourself in local culture during Las Fallas.

Paella Contests

Arriving in Valencia a bit early? One popular event leading up to Las Fallas is the annual JJ Dómine Port Paella Cooking Contest. While paella might be mistakenly considered a national dish of Spain, it’s actually a regional specialty native to Valencia, best enjoyed in this region. The contest hosts over 500 paellas each year, offering a chance to determine which is the best of the bunch.

The 2019 edition is scheduled to take place on March 8 along the promenade in front of the Grau train station. Food enthusiasts won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to enjoy Spain’s most iconic dish at its very best.

La Nit del Foc Fireworks Display

In addition to the mascletà explosions echoing through Plaza del Ayuntamiento daily, attendees can also enjoy a more conventional fireworks display at night. For four consecutive nights during Las Fallas, a massive fireworks show illuminates the sky. While the spectacle is visible throughout the city, many locals gather along Paseo de la Alameda to watch the show.

The grandest display occurs in the early hours of March 18. Known as La Nit del Foc, this breathtaking array of color and light is truly one-of-a-kind. If you think you’ve witnessed fireworks before, this experience will redefine that perception.

Eat Buñuelos with Chocolate

One of the highlights of any festival is the traditional food associated with the event. During Las Fallas, that typically means buñuelos. Stalls featuring these delectable treats can be found on nearly every corner throughout the festival, with the aroma wafting from the carts making them hard to resist.

If the buñuelos themselves (essentially deep-fried pumpkin doughnuts) don’t sound enticing, consider that they are traditionally enjoyed dunked in sweet, thick, Spanish-style hot chocolate. You can’t celebrate Las Fallas without indulging in this traditional delight at least once, and you’ll be grateful you did.

Visit the Las Fallas Museum

Before the massive bonfires consume the awe-inspiring ninots on the last night of the festival, a vote is held to decide which masterpiece will be spared from the flames. The lucky winner earns a spot in the Las Fallas Museum at Plaza Monteolivete, where visitors can experience this fabulous festival throughout the year. The museum’s collection of ninots dates back to 1934, providing an engaging look at how the style of the sculptures has evolved over the years.

Interestingly, reaching the museum during the festival can be challenging, as many roads in the city are closed for the week, affecting public transportation availability. However, if you don’t mind the walk (it’s a little distance from the city center), the unique collection is undeniably worth the effort.