The Las Fallas festival in Valencia is a celebration full of joy, color, music, fireworks, and lights that ignite the streets of the city with the true spirit of the celebration. And if you stay at our Hotel Silken Puerta Valencia, you'll be very close to the main locations where the magic happens in the heart of the city.
What are Las Fallas?
Las Fallas are undoubtedly one of the most iconic events in the city, attracting thousands of tourists every year. This celebration, which combines art, tradition, fire, and a lot of emotion, takes place during the month of March, culminating on the 19th of the month, which is Saint Joseph's Day. Throughout the festivities, the streets are filled with color, music, and joy, as the Fallas come to life and become a true manifestation of local culture.
History of Las Fallas
The origin of Las Fallas is rooted in the ancient tradition of the city's carpenters, who used to burn waste materials and pieces of wood, placing lanterns on top of poles that acted as candelabras, which they called "estayo parot." Over time, a dressed human figure was added, resulting in the first "ninots" (puppets) and the first Fallas. Slowly, the tradition evolved, with more elaborate structures and platforms being built, attracting the attention of tourists, especially from Madrid. In 1934, the first "Ninot Indultat" (a fallas saved from burning due to its high quality) was chosen. The Spanish Civil War tried to end the Fallas in 1937, when both sides created Fallas with propaganda purposes. However, after the war, the Central Fallas Board was created, and in 1944, the first Fallas Regulations were published. The following year, the Offering of Flowers to the Virgin of the Forsaken was held, and since then, the Fallas festival has included the presentation of the Ninot, the Plantà, the Kingdom Parade, fireworks displays, and the Night of Fire.
What do Las Fallas Consist of?
Las Fallas are a festival that combines art, satire, and fire. During the celebration, large figures, known as Fallas, are installed throughout the streets of Valencia. These figures can be humorous or critical, created by artists who use materials such as wood, cardboard, and plastic. The Fallas often represent scenes of daily life or popular figures, and they are displayed throughout the city for several days before being burned in a symbolic act known as the "Cremà." As winter fades and spring arrives, Valencia is adorned with flowers and gunpowder to welcome over a million visitors who, to the sound of the mascletà, enjoy the fallero monuments. But all year round, Valencia enjoys different Fallas-related events, such as:
The pre-selection of candidates who will be part of the Honor Court at the San Luis Fountain Pavilion.
Presentation of the sketches of municipal monuments.
The open competition for the public to participate in Fallas theater, where commissions represent plays in Valencian.
Key Events of Las Fallas
La Cridà (The Call): Celebrated on the last Sunday of February, this event is the most awaited by the falleros as it marks the beginning of Las Fallas. It starts early in the morning with the "despertà," when falleros walk through the streets of Valencia announcing to locals and visitors that Las Fallas are starting. In the evening, they gather at the Torres de Serrano to listen to speeches by the mayor and the Falleras Mayores of Valencia.
La Plantà: One of the most anticipated moments of Las Fallas, celebrated on the night of March 15, when the falleros finish setting up their creations in the streets. This day, falleros display their work, which has been developed over the entire year.
Encendido de luces (Lighting of the lights): The first lighting of the Fallas lights takes place in early March at 8:00 p.m., divided into two categories: Category A (for the most prestigious Fallas) and Category B (for Fallas with a lower budget, under 11,000 euros, which light up their lights one day earlier).
La Mascletà: From March 1 until Saint Joseph's Day at 2:00 p.m., the Town Hall Square hosts the famous Mascletà event, characterized by the loud noise and gunpowder. It is a key part of the Fallas atmosphere, and it is a must-see!
Exposición del Ninot (Exhibition of Ninots): From early February, the Arquerías Hall at the Príncipe Felipe Museum of the City of Arts and Sciences hosts the Exhibition of Ninots. The Ninot Night is celebrated on February 16, and the exhibition is open until 2:00 a.m. The exhibit remains open until March 14 for the smaller Ninots and until March 15 for the larger ones. Thanks to the votes of the visitors, the Ninot Indultat competition takes place, and the winning Ninot is saved from the fire during the Cremà.
La Ofrenda de Flores (The Flower Offering): On March 17 and 18, in the Plaza de la Virgen, the figure of the Virgin "Mare de Déu dels Desamparats" is covered with flowers brought by the Fallas participants. This is a very emotional act!
La Cremà: On March 19, the Fallas reach their grand finale with the Cremà, where after four days in the streets of Valencia, the flames consume the monuments as a way of renewing the cycle.
Hotels for Las Fallas de Valencia
Our 4-star hotel in Valencia, the Silken Puerta Valencia, is the best place to stay during Las Fallas. Follow our blog for updates on this fascinating celebration, which is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Thanks to our privileged location, our rooms provide you with easy access to all the events. Come and enjoy Las Fallas with our hotel offers in Valencia, and don’t miss out on the most delicious paella, traditional buñuelos, and hot chocolate! Celebrate with us—we await you all year long!
