Whether its music, film, or cultural activities you’re looking for, Valencia has something for everyone! Over the next week, a variety of Open-Air Concerts, exhibits, DJ sets, and the beginning of Filmoteca d’Estiu will be hosted in the Valencian community’s capital. As Valencia glides into the height of the Mediterranean summer, the rhythm of the city shifts from the hurried pace of high season to a slower, more atmospheric tempo. This week offers a carefully balanced mix of music, cinema, and cultural experiences that come alive just as the sun sets and the streets cool. From riverside film screenings to genre-bending concerts in futuristic surroundings, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the city this week!
The long-awaited return of the Filmoteca d’Estiu marks one of the highlights of the cultural calendar. Held in the Jardins del Palau, in the old Turia riverbed next to the Palau de la Música, this open-air film cycle begins its 2025 programme on Friday, August the 1st, and runs throughout the month.
Screenings begin at 22:30h, with tickets on sale at the box office from 21:30h. Entry is priced at an affordable four euros, and films are shown in their original version with Spanish subtitles. Viewers typically arrive early with folding chairs, blankets, and refreshments, transforming the area into a cinematic picnic under the stars.
The season opens with Sean Baker’s award-winning drama “Anora”, which screens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Fresh off a Palme d’Or win at Cannes and a sweep at the 2025 Oscars, the film follows a Brooklyn sex worker whose life changes dramatically after a whirlwind marriage to a Russian oligarch’s son. Critics have praised its emotional complexity, humour, and deeply human perspective.
The Filmoteca continues next week with a David Lynch retrospective beginning with “Blue Velvet” on Monday, August the 4th. Other titles scheduled for the month include “The Elephant Man”, “Mulholland Drive”, and Lynch’s understated masterpiece “The Straight Story”, as well as a spotlight on Valencian productions such as “La Casa” by Álex Montoya.
If music is more your jam, head to the City of Arts and Sciences for the ongoing “Un Lago de Conciertos” series, hosted by Berklee Valencia. The lakeside plaza in front of the Museu de les Ciències transforms into a summer stage as students from the globally renowned music school showcase their talent.
Performances this week take place on Wednesday (30 July), Thursday (31 July), and Friday (1 August), beginning at 19:00h. Each night offers something different, as ensembles rotate between jazz, funk, Latin, soul, electronic hybrids, and original compositions. The concerts are free and informal, and the setting could hardly be more cinematic: glassy water, soaring white architecture, and soft evening light.
Though much of the city’s cultural life moves outdoors in summer, there are compelling reasons to head indoors as well. At IVAM, the exhibition “Desig i Resistència” continues through the season, exploring issues of identity, gender, and resistance through an eclectic mix of contemporary works. The show favours intimacy over spectacle, offering moments of quiet confrontation and reflection across photography, installation, and moving image.
Over in the northern neighbourhood of Marxalenes, Bombas Gens Centre d’Art houses the hauntingly beautiful photography of Hiroshi Sugimoto. The Japanese artist’s long-exposure seascapes and conceptual time studies conjure silence and stasis, perfectly suited to the gallery’s stripped-back architecture. Entry is free, and the gallery’s garden and bookshop offer further reasons to linger.
Meanwhile, the Museu del Disseny remains a cool and design-forward refuge. Its major show this summer, “València Capital del Disseny”, looks at the city’s recent status as a global design capital through the lens of architecture, product design, visual culture, and public space. With interactive installations and smart curation, the exhibit makes a strong case for design as both a practical solution and a poetic gesture.
If you’re looking for more low-key or spontaneous experiences, the barrios of Ruzafa and El Carmen remain reliable sources of cultural serendipity. Pop-up art shows, DJ sets on shaded terraces, and late-night poetry readings are not uncommon at this time of year, though they often evade formal promotion. For something scheduled but atmospheric, La Fábrica de Hielo in Cabanyal regularly hosts events—think spoken word, live acoustic music, and documentary screenings—all with a cocktail in hand and a sea breeze in the air.
Although August is usually a quieter time in Valencia, this week’s events will continue to deliver that Valencian magic. Whether you’re relaxing on the grass watching a highly praised film, exploring a minimalist art gallery, or seeing Berklee’s upcoming stars before they become famous, the city remains vibrant with quiet energy. The Mediterranean summer in Valencia stays true to its nature: relaxed, outdoor, and full of surprises!
Report by Elliot Fryatt
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
Filmoteca d’Estiu 2025 Official Programme: https://ivc.gva.es/val/audiovisual/programacio/filmoteca-estiu-val
Valencia Open-Air Concerts: https://valencia.berklee.edu/events/events-and-concerts
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