Valencia’s biggest event of the year, the Fallas festival, commences this weekend, with a jam-packed schedule for all to enjoy.  The origins of Fallas are believed to be linked to the pagan ritual of marking the changing of the seasons into spring, beginning with carpenters burning their wooden candle holders, known as “parots”, in celebration. Over time, this has merged with Christian traditions to bring us the modern day Fallas festival that is known and loved today that includes bonfires, artistic displays, sculptures known as “ninots”, and electric lighting and street parties all over the city. In 2016, Fallas was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, drawing millions to the city to be part of this truly cultural tradition.

Whilst the main events of Fallas 2024 are occurring from March 15th to 19th, celebrations have been taking place in Valencia for weeks. The official inauguration of Fallas, La Crida, lit up the Serranos Towers on March 3rd with a pyrotechnic light and colour show, accompanied by speeches from the city authorities and the major falleras of Valencia, following a full day of cultural celebrations. Starting on March 1st, and continuing till the very last day of Fallas on the 19th, the sensory phenomenon of la mascletà has also been commencing every day at 2pm in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. These pyrotechnic displays feature rhythmic sequences of firecrackers, fireworks, and other pyrotechnic devices choreographed to create a symphony of sound and light. The intensity of the explosions builds gradually, reaching a crescendo of deafening blasts that reverberate throughout the square, and can be heard for miles, symbolising the energy, spirit, and passion of the Fallas.

With the run up to Fallas in the past month setting the standard for celebrations extremely high, this extended weekend promises to bring even more spectacle.

Friday, March 15th

09:00 am – Installation of all children’s fallas.

02:00 pm – “Mascletà” at the Town Hall Square.

05:00 pm – Closure of the Ninot Exhibition.

05:30 pm – Reading of the popular verdict and proclamation of the “Ninot Indultat” 2024.

05:45 pm – Collection of the ninots by the committees until 08:00 pm.

12:00 am – “L’Albà de les Falles” (Dawn of the Fallas).

A tradition revived in 2016 thanks to the Falla Na Jornada and Junta Central Fallera, featuring a fireworks show at the Town Hall Square.

Saturday, March 16th

08:00 am – Installation of all fallas.

02:00 pm – “Mascletà” at the Town Hall Square.

04:30 pm – Children’s Awards Ceremony.

Held at the stand installed in the Town Hall for the distribution of awards obtained for children’s Fallas in different sections, as well as for children’s presentations, Ninot Parade, and children’s falla booklets.

12:00 am – Fireworks Castle at Jardín del Turia, near Palau de les Arts.

Sunday, March 17th

09:30 am – Awards Ceremony.

At the stand installed in the Town Hall for the distribution of awards obtained for Fallas in different sections, as well as for illuminated street contests, presentations, and falla booklets.

02:00 pm – “Mascletà” at the Town Hall Square.

03:30 pm – Offering of flowers to the Mare de Déu.

The Offering of Flowers to Mare de Déu taking place on March 17th and 18th involves thousands of participants dressed in traditional Valencian attire who gather to offer flowers to the Virgin Mary, known as the Mare de Déu dels Desamparats (Our Lady of the Forsaken), the patron saint of Valencia.

Participants carry bouquets of flowers, often arranged in elaborate structures or carried in ornate baskets, as they parade through the streets towards the Plaza de la Virgen. Once there, they present their flowers to the large wooden frame that forms the base of the Virgin Mary’s mantle. Skilled volunteers then carefully place each flower onto the frame, creating a vibrant and fragrant tapestry of colours. This is a deeply symbolic and emotional event, reflecting the devotion of the people of Valencia to their patron saint and celebrating unity, community, and tradition.

OFFERING – C/ LA PAZ 

03:30 pm: Canyamelar-Grau-Natzaret

04:30 pm: La Xerea

05:00 pm: Rascaña

06:30 pm: Camins al Grau

08:15 pm: Ruzafa A

09:15 pm: Ruzafa B

10:00 pm: Pla del Reial Benimaclet

OFFERING – C/ SAN VICENTE 

03:30 pm: El Pilar-Sant Francesc

04:30 pm: Patraix

05:45 pm: La Seu-El Mercat

06:15 pm: Botànic-La Petxina

07:15 pm: Quart de Poblet-Xirivella

08:45 pm: Jesús

10:00 pm: Mislata

11:15 pm: Cruz Cubierta

12:30 am: Regional Houses

12:40 am: Local Committees

12:45 am: Falla of the Fallera Mayor Infantil de València, Marina García Arribas, Falla Manuel de Falla-Tamarindos

12:50 am: Official Delegations from Burgos, Murcia, Castellón, and Alicante

12:55 am: Last five Falleras Mayores Infantiles of Valencia

01:00 am: Fallera Mayor Infantil de Valencia, Marina García Arribas, and her Court of Honor. Accompanied by JCF members and the Municipal Band of Valencia.

12:00 am: Fireworks at Jardín del Turia, near Palau de les Arts.

Monday, March 18th

10:30 am – Tribute to the poet Maximiliano Thous, at his monument located at the intersection of Sagunto and Maximiliano Thous streets. With the collaboration of Falla Fray Pere Vives-Bilbao-Maximiliano Thous.

12:00 pm – Tribute to Maestro Serrano, which will take place at his monument on Avenida del Reino de Valencia.

02:00 pm – “Mascletà” at the Town Hall Square.

03:30 pm – Offering of flowers to the Mare de Déu.

OFFERING – C/ LA PAZ

03:30 pm.: Algirós

04:30 pm.: Poblats Al Sud

05:45 pm: Quatre Carreres

07:15 pm.: Pla del Remei – Gran Vía

08:30 pm.: Benimamet- Burjassot -Beniferri.

10:15 pm.: Malvarrosa-Cabañal-Beteró

OFFERING – C/ SAN VICENTE 

03:30 pm.: Zaidia

05:00 pm.: El Carmen

05:45 pm.: Benicalap

07:00 pm: Campanar

08:15 pm.: La Roqueta-Arrancapins

09:45 pm.: Olivereta

11:30 pm.: Casas Regionales.

11:40 pm.: Entidades invitadas

11:50 pm.: Falla of the Fallera Mayor de Valencia, María Estela Arlandis Ferrando, Falla Obispo Jaime Pérez-Luis Oliag

11:55 pm.: Official Delegations from Burgos, Murcia, Castellón, and Alicante

12:00 am.: Last five Falleras Mayores de Valencia

12:05 am.: Fallera Mayor de Valencia, María Estela Arlandis Ferrando, and her Court of Honor. Accompanied by JCF members and the Municipal Band of Valencia.

12:00 am:.: “NIT DEL FOC” (Night of Fire) Fireworks at Jardín del Turia, near Palau de les Arts.

Tuesday, March 19th

11:00 am – Offering of flowers by the Falleras Mayores de Valencia and their Courts of Honor in front of the image of the Patriarch on the Puente de Sant Josep.

12:00 pm – Solemn Mass in honour of Sant Josep at the Valencia Cathedral, officiated by the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent, and offered by Junta Central Fallera and the Gremio de Carpinteros. With the attendance of the Falleras Mayores de Valencia and their Courts of Honor.

02:00 pm – “Mascletà” at the Town Hall Square.

07:00 pm – Fuego Parade starting from Calle de la Paz to Plaza de la Porta la Mar.

The Fuego Parade features large floats adorned with intricate pyrotechnic displays, as well as costumed performers and marching bands. These floats are often designed to resemble mythological creatures, animals, or other imaginative figures, and they are illuminated with colourful lights and adorned with fireworks.

As the parade winds its way through the streets of Valencia, spectators are treated to a mesmerising display of light, sound, and spectacle. The floats move amidst a backdrop of fireworks, creating a truly magical atmosphere that captivates audiences of all ages.

08:00 pm – “Cremà” of the children’s fallas.

08:30 pm – “Cremà” of the children’s falla that obtained the first prize in the Special Section.

09:00 pm – “Cremà” of the children’s falla at the Town Hall Square.

10:00 pm – “Cremà” of all the fallas in Valencia.

10:30 pm – “Cremà” of the falla that obtained the first prize in the Special Section.

11:00 pm – “Cremà” of the falla at the Town Hall Square.

La Cremà” is the culminating event of the Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain on the feast day of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. During La Cremà, the elaborate and colourful fallas sculptures that have been displayed throughout the city during the festival are set on fire.

Starting around midnight, fireworks often accompany the burning of the fallas, creating a spectacular and dramatic scene. Each falla, which may have taken months to construct, is intentionally burned down in a controlled manner. The burning of the fallas symbolises the end of the festival and serves as a cathartic release, allowing the community to let go of the past and start anew.

Report by Abi Kara-Fernandes

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

‘Fallas’ photo  copyright  Julia McGee-Russell /24/7 Valencia