Las Fallas in Valencia. A street festival that you cannot miss when you are in Valencia in March! A mixture of enormous works of art on the corner of every street, men and women dressed in beautiful traditional clothes, a lot (and we mean A LOT) of fireworks, paella contests in the streets and parties all night long. Las Fallas is definitely a once upon a lifetime event to experience yourself!
Dream away during Las Fallas in 2020
Every year Las Fallas starts the last Sunday in February. The major of Valencia, the fallera mayor (‘the queen of Las Fallas’) and the fallera mayor infantil (‘the princess of Las Fallas’) give the official starting signal during ‘La Crida’. Of course there will be fireworks as well! In 2020 La Crida will be on the 1st of March.
Then there will be three weeks of festivities, with peaks during the weekends and between the 15th and 19th of March when all the gigantic pieces (‘fallas’) see daylight. The perfect time for a stroll through the streets to watch this amazing art.
Las Fallas officially ends during ‘La Crema’, in the night of 19 to 20 March. All the beautiful artworks will burn up in flames during San Jose, the traditional holiday of the patron saint of carpenters. La Crema is a great spectacle and also a little bit of an emotional moment for Valencian people as their lovely festival comes to an end!
Experience it yourself! Join our Fallas tour or read our Fallas magazine
There is only one way to experience Las Fallas and that’s to immerse yourself in the festivities. During our Las Fallas tour – between the 14th and 19th of March – an enthusiastic English speaking guide will make sure you have an amazing start of your time in Valencia during Fallas. You will visit a popular neighbourhood during Las Fallas and our guide will tell you more about the beautiful pieces of art you will encounter in the streets. Also we would like you to taste a typical Valencian sweet. But we will keep that a secret for now…Send us an email if you are interested to join our Fallas tour: info@onceuponabike.com
Make sure you don’t miss anything of all the festivities that are organised during Las Fallas and get our digital Fallas magazine. Besides the up to date program with all festivities, fireworks, light shows, it will also give you a lot of background information about Las Fallas, the traditions, how the fallera mayor is chosen every year, an actual overview of all the pieces of art during Las Fallas of this year, an interview with a non-Spanish fan that loves this amazing street festival so much that now he is part of a traditional Fallas association. And much more surprising facts you didn’t know before! Send us an email if you are interested in our digital Fallas magazine: info@onceuponabike.com
This is what you will encounter during Las Fallas
There is no time for sleep during Las Fallas. From early morning until the middle of the night when it turns morning again: the Valencians do know how to party and celebrate! Let us give you a brief overview what you will encounter during Las Fallas in Valencia.
Rhythmic bangs during la mascleta
From the 1st until the 19th of March there will be a so-called mascleta (sounding fireworks), each day at 14:00 at Plaza Ayuntamiento. The Valencians live for their mascletas! They are very popular, so make sure you are there on time! The mascleta starts with a little bang, but then… the bangs become louder and they follow each other faster and faster. You can hear but even more feel the rhythm in your whole body. An incredible feeling! The mascleta ends with a big bang and after that you will see and hear the Valencian crowd go wild! During the peak – 15th until 19th of March – there will be mascletas in the streets as well, organised by the different Fallas associations. Yes, the firework stores in Valencia are doing good business these days.
Tasty paella and beautiful pieces of (human) art
Don’t worry, the Valencians won’t forget their gastronomy during all the festivities. Besides the loads of food stalls in the streets, you might get a chance to eat a paella with the locals. A lot of Fallas associations organise paella contests or cook paella to share. Ask if you can join them to taste that delicious authentic Valencian paella!
Valencia will be filled with beautiful pieces of art (the fallas). Sometimes one piece costs more than one hundred thousand euros and can be more than twenty meters high. Incredible! But not only the art works are amazing to watch. Sometimes you might feel you are living in a fairytale, because also the locals are beautiful to gaze upon. They dress up in these amazing traditional clothes: men, women and kids! Therefore you can find a lot of stores with lovely fabrics in the city as well.
Music is their first love
A festival in Valencia without music simply doesn’t exist. Valencians love music and parties. A lot of the music festivities will take place at night, in the streets, in the bars or at ‘verbenas’ (the marquees of the Fallas associations). Getting hungry? Get a sweet snack at one of the food stalls in the streets.
Program Las Fallas 2020
Are you in Valencia during Las Fallas in March 2020? We made an overview of the program, so you know when and where you should be to experience this festival at its best! Please be aware locations and time schedules might change last minute.
Sunday 24th of February
07:30 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento to awake the city
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
20:00 | “La Crida” firework show at Torres de Serranos
Friday 1st of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 2nd of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
17:00 | Fallas parade with children (departure from: la Glorieta, Calle la Paz, Calle San Vicente, Plaza Ayuntamiento, Marqués de Sotelo, Calle Xativa)
23:59 | Mascleta with colours at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 3rd of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Monday 4th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Tuesday 5th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Wednesday 6th of March
12:00 | Handing out horchata and orange juice at Plaza de Toros
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Thursday 7th of March
12:00 | Handing out horchata and orange juice at Plaza de Toros
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Friday 8th of March
12:00 | Parade of vintage cars at Plaza Ayuntamiento
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 9th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
23:59 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 10th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
19:00| Procession (departure from: La Lonja, Maria Cristina en Plaza de la Ayuntamiento)
Monday 11th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Tuesday 12th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Wednesday 13th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
Thursday 14th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamient
17:00 | Closure of the making of the children fallas
17:30 | Speech of the best children fallas
17:45 | The children fallas will be collected by the Fallas communities
Friday 15th of March
09:00 | Build-up from the children fallas in the neighbourhoods of Valencia
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
17:00 | Closing ceremony of the Ninots exhibition
17:30 | Speech of the best children fallas
00:00 | Firework show at Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Saturday 16th of March
08:00 | Build-up from all the fallas
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
14:30 | Several awards are handed out for the best children fallas across the city hall (Plaza Ayuntamiento)
00:00 | Firework show at Paseo de La Alameda (between Puente de las Flores, the flower bridge, and Puente de la Exposición)
Sunday 17th of March
09:00 | Several awards are handed out for the most beautiful streets, lightning, decoration, etc. across the city hall (Plaza Ayuntamiento)
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
15:30 | First day of the flower offers to ‘Virgen de los Desamparados’ (the Blessed Virgin of the lonely and homeless people) which are given by several Fallas communities. Thousands of falleras and falleros (members of Fallas communities) will march through Calle de La Paz en Calle San Vincente Martir. This march will end around midnight.
Calle de San Vicente Martir
15:30 | Quart de Poblet – Xirivella
17:00 | Jezus
18:15 | Mislata
19:30 | La Creu Coberta
20:45 | El Pilar – Sant Francesc
21:45 | Patraix
23:00 | La Seu – El Mercat
23:30 | Botanic – La Petxina
00:30 | Regional houses
00:40 | Local Boards
00:50 | Falla José Mª Bayarri – Los Isidros
00:55 | Officiële Comitiva
01:00 | FMIV y C.H., JCF. Y Banda Municipal
Calle de la Paz
15:30 | Camins al Grau
17:15 | Russafa A
18:15 | Russafa B
19:00 | Pla del Reial – Benimaclet
20:45 | Canyamelar – Grao – Nazaret
21:45 | La Xerea
22:15 | Rascanya
01:00 | Firework show at Paseo de La Alameda (between Puente de las Flores, the flower bridge, and Puente de la Exposición)
Monday 18th of March
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
15:30 | Second day of the flower offers to ‘Virgen de los Desamparados’ (the Blessed Virgin of the lonely and homeless people) which are given by several Fallas communities. Thousands of falleras and falleros (members of Fallas communities) will march through Calle de La Paz en Calle San Vincente Martir. This march will end around midnight.
Calle San Vicente
15:30 | Benicalap
16:45 | Campanar
17:45 | La Roqueta – Arrancapins
19:15 | Olivereta
21:00 | La Saïdia
22:30 | El Carme
23:25 | Entidades Invitadas
00:35 | Falla Barrio de San José
00:40 | Comitiva Oficial: BU, MU, CS, A y ultimas 5 FFMMV
00:45 | FMV. Y C.H., JCF y BANDA MUNICIPAL
Calle de la Paz
15:30 | Quatre Carreres
17:00 | Pla del Remei – Gran Via
18:15 | Benimamet – Burjassot – Beniferri
20:00 | Malvarrosa – Cabanyal – Beteró
21:15 | Algiros
22:15 | Poblats Al Sud
01:30 | ‘Nit del Foc’, the largest firework show during Las Falles which will be lit at Paseo de La Alameda (between Puente de las Flores, the flower bridge, and Puente de la Exposición). Be on time, it will be extremely crowded during Nit del Foc!
Tuesday 19th of March
11:00 | Flower offers given by the Fallera Mayor in front of the statue of Patriarca San José (Puente de San José)
12:00 | Mass at the Cathedral
14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza Ayuntamiento
19:00 | ‘Calbalgata del Fuego’, a fire procession from Calle Colón until Puerta de la Mar
22:00 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion of children fallas
22:30 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion of the winning children falla
23:00 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion of the children fallas from the municipality at Plaza Ayuntamiento
00:00 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion of all fallas in the city
00:30 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion of the winning falla
01:00 | ‘Cremà’, the combustion from the falla from the municipality at Plaza Ayuntamiento & mascleta to close the festival
Overview mascletas and firework shows 2020
Hereby we give you an overview of all the mascletas and firework shows during Las Fallas 2020 in Valencia (date, time, mascleta/firework, company, location).
Saturday 23rd of February 20:00 – Mascletà Vertical – Ricasa – harbour of Valencia
Sunday 24th of February 08:00 – Final of the ‘Desperta’ (‘Awakening’) – Valenciana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 24th of February 14:00 – Mascleta – Valenciana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 24th of February 20:00 – Firework show – Peñarroja – Torres de Serranos
Friday 1st of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Peñarroja – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 2nd of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Mediterraño – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 2nd of March 23:59 – Mascleta with colours- Mediterrañe – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 3rd of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Alpujarreña – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Monday 4th of March 14:00 – Mascleta- Zaragozana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Tuesday 5th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Nadal-Martí – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Wednesday 6th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Pibierzo – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Thursday 7th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Gironina – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Friday 8th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Martí – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 9th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Aitana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 9th of March 23:59 – Mascleta with colours – Aitana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 10th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Hermanos Caballer – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Monday 11th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Tomás – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Tuesday 12th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Hermanos Ferrández – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Wednesday 13th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Crespo – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Thursday 14th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Turís – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Friday 15th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Zarzoso – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Friday 15th of March 23:59 – Awakening of Las Fallas – Peñarroja – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 16th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Caballer FX – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Saturday 16th of March 23:59 – Firework show – Vulcano – Alameda
Sunday 17th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Vulcano – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Sunday 17th of March 23:59 – Mascleta – Caballer FX – Alameda
Monday 18th of March 14:00 – Mascleta – Valenciana – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Monday on Tuesday night 18th of March 01.30 – Nit Del Foc – Ricassa – Alameda (between Puente de Las Flores y Puente de la Exposicion)
Tuesday 19th of March – Mascleta – Ricassa – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Tuesday on Wednesday night 01:00 – La Cremà falla ayuntamiento – Ricassa – Plaza Ayuntamiento
Valencia Bus Turistic
If you want to travel by public transport during Las Fallas, please be aware of the adjusted bus schedules. In the document below of Valencia Bus Turistic, you can see the right time schedules. Additionally, day tickets will be €10,- per person instead of €17,- per person from the 13th till the 19th of March. Please be aware that the latest bus will depart at 13:45 on the 17th and 18th of March, because of the flower offers those days (a traditional activity during Las Fallas).
If you are staying in Valencia for three days it might be interesting to buy a Valencia Public Transportation Card. With this card you can use public transportation (metro and bus) unlimited. This card also includes a private transfer from the airport. A great idea if you want to get to know the city in a relaxed way.
Visit Valencia during Las Fallas
There is only one thing left for you to do now: visit Valencia during Las Fallas to experience the biggest street festival of Spain yourself! When you are in Valencia but not in March during the festival itself, you can visit the next musea to get a feel of the festival spirit: Museo Fallero or Museo Gremio de Artistas Falleros.
Tips
- March is a popular time to visit Valencia because of Las Fallas. Therefore, book your accommodation in Valencia on time.
- Do you only have a few days to visit Las Fallas? Make sure you are here the 18th of March, this is the best day and night to experience all the fun!
- Safety first: there is a chance of fire(works) flying around. Therefore it’s recommended to check where the wind is coming from and to make sure you are not standing in that direction. Also it can be a good idea to wear (sun)glasses. During a mascleta it’s advised to keep your mouth open, so that the pressure of the fireworks don’t affect your ears.
