LAS FALLAS

You will have heard of Las Fallas. This is what Valencia is famous for, it is the undisputed biggest annual event in Valencia, and all its inhabitants look forward to it as soon as it finishes. Some call it the craziest party in Europe. The Fallas are big - a good 2-3 million people visits the city and it goes on for 5 days with two weeks of foreplay.

Overview

Valencia is divided into many fallas. These are local communities where people know each other and help each other. It is a charming tradition to have in a big city. Throughout the year fallero artists commissioned by the fallas create huge munecos - statues of papier-mache. Two for each falla - one big falla and one small falla infantil. During the festival the fallas get mounted throughout the city and then burned on the night of 19th of March, amidst fireworks, music and party.

What it is about

Originally it was a coming of spring festival. People would drag old stuff and furniture into the streets and burn it in the beginning of spring. A start of new life, getting rid of old and bad, so to speak. Eventually it grew into an elaborate ritual and these days it is more of just a celebration, a tradition and a party.

What happens

Fireworks
Valencia starts getting ready long before the 15th of May. From the 1st of May onwards you can feel Las Fallas on the streets. There a daily fireworks on the Plaza del Ayntamento at 2pm. There are many unofficial fireworks during the day - the city eventually reminds a war zone.

Parades
Many fallas (communities) go on a parade around the neighbourhood in a small musical band, dressed in traditional costumes and led by the chosen best fallera in a spectacular dress. It is a tradition to chose the best woman of the falla every year. It is a great privilege - all the fallas (communities) choose their own and there is one woman - the Fallera Mayor - that wins the title from the entire city. That particular competition is extremely prestigious and you can expect her dress to run into thousands and thousands of euros.

Parties
From 10th-11th May the fallas (communities) start partying in their casas falleros. You won't participate since you're not a member but you will feel the atmosphere.

Exhibition of the munecos
The munecos which will be burnt are exhibited all in one venue from 1st of Feb to 15th of March. Naturally, not the munecos themselves (those are too big) but their miniatures. The city sees them and chooses one that will be saved from fire. This is your chance to see them all, as it is impossible when they are mounted in the city - there are simply too many of them (500-600).

The Party

The Sunday before/on 1st of March
Las Fallas will be inaugurated at Torres de Serranos at 8pm. It is a short event with fireworks, but worth seeing if you are in town.

15th March - 17th March
The munecos will be mounted, mobile discos open next to them and for the next four days it is a full on party. Huge crowds moving around trying to see all the fallas before they get burned.

18th March
This is a bigger party with many concerts throughout town, especially in the Tura river bed.

19th March
From 10pm to 2pm all the fallas are burned in succession in a wild frenzy of party. The biggest ever fireworks on the Plaza del Ayuntamento. The party will then go on well into the morning.

Advice

This is a very popular and a very busy festival. Make sure you book well in advance and expect to pay a lot more. Also, be prepared to all prices going up - even food and drink. And make sure you are well rested - this is one mama of a party.

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