Enjoy the Week Long Fallas of Valencia Celebration!
The Fallas of Valencia 2022 is here! During this time Valencia is turned upside down by the Fallas celebrations from the 1st to 19th of March. The Fallas of Valencia is a festival that combines tradition, humor, and art that should not be missed for anything in the world. Additionally, it is weeks of little sleep, fireworks, fiestas, wonderful big puppets, incredible bonfires, and, of course, plenty of food. Furthermore, the Mascleta a spectacular firework display, takes place every day from the 1st to the 19th of Martch, with the five main days being the 15th to the 19th.
Origin:
The origin of las Fallas can be traced back to an ancient carpenter’s ritual. During this time they would burn pieces of wood as a celebration to the arrival of spring on March 19th. Eventually they added old goods and rags to this bonfire. As a result it gave the wooden structure a human-like appearance, until it became the puppets that are known today. Recently, the UNESCO added The Fallas celebration to their intangible cultural heritage of humanity list. In other words, it is a seal of approval from the big boys saying that they think it is cool.
What to Do:
- Mascleta (1st to 19th)
- The Mascleta is a tradicional concert of gunpowder explosions. Every day at 14:00 (2pm) you will be able to hear this unique sound at La Plaza de Ayuntamiento. Remember to keep your mouth slightly open to avoid harming your hearing when the decibel level exceeds 120!
- The Planta (15th of March)
- The night of March 15th is packed with activity. The Fallas commissions work in shifts since all of Valencia’s monuments must be completed by the morning of the 16th. On that day, the judges award the best and chose the ninot induldat, the lone figure to be spared from the flames.
- Fireworks The Nit del Foc (15th to 19th)
- The magnificent firework displays that are let off at midnight at Alameda flood the night skies with light and color during Fallas. An act that brings together a large number of people and concludes in the Nit del Foc, a one-of-a-kind firework display held in the early hours of the 18th.
- Pay Respects to the Virgin Mary (17th to 18th)
- Go to Plaza de la Virgen to witness the colorful parade where people make flower offerings to the Virgin Mary. Observe the flowers being tossed into the 14-metre-high Virgin Mary wooden monument by expert young volunteers. It’s a stunning sight that you won’t want to miss.
- The Crema (19th of March)
- Finally The Crema sets the end of The Fallas by burning all the monuments. Even if it’s a pity, watching the flames convert these monuments to ash is a piece of art in itself. Small monuments begin to burn at 8:00 p.m., large monuments begin to burn at 10:00 p.m., with the exception of the first prize-winner, which is torched at 10.30 p.m, ending The Fallas celebration.
