Get ready for the most vibrant celebration of the year – Fallas Festival! This five-day event is held annually in Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, and it’s a must-see. From 15th to 19th March, you can expect to find colourful parades, vibrant costumes, amazing firework displays and plenty of food and drink. Fallas Festival is a unique celebration that takes place each year, but what exactly is it? Read on to learn more about this exciting event and how you can take part in all the fun!
What is Fallas?
The Fallas Festival is a five-day celebration in Valencia, Spain that commemorates the city’s patron saint, Saint Joseph. The festival features large paper mâché and wood effigies called fallas, which are burned in massive bonfires on the final night of the festival. Throughout the week leading up to the burning of the fallas, there are parades, fireworks, bullfights and other traditional Spanish festivities.
History of Fallas
In medieval Europe, the power to light fires was reserved for those in positions of authority, like kings and nobles. So when commoners started lighting their own fires on St. Joseph’s Day in Valencia, Spain, it was a pretty big deal. The festival of Las Fallas celebrates this act of defiance with large papier-mâché effigies—called ninots—of famous people and current events, which are paraded through the streets before being set on fire.
The first recorded Fallas festival took place in 1492, but the tradition really took off in the early 19th century. At that time, Valencia’s carpenters would clean out their workshops in March and burn the leftover wood in bonfires on St. Joseph’s Day. As the years went on, these bonfires became increasingly elaborate, with intricate sculptures made from straw and wax added to the pyres.
TheFallas festival reached its modern form in the 20th century. Nowadays,Fallas effigies can be up to 30 feet tall and are carefully constructed over several months by professional artists. They often depict political figures or celebrities, and they’re usually quite satirical (think: Donald Trump with a tiny head). On the morning of March 19th—the day of Saint Joseph—the effigies are paraded through Valencia’s streets before being set ablaze in giant bonfires later that night.
How Fallas is Celebrated
The Fallas Festival is one of the most popular and well-known festivals in Spain. It is celebrated in the city of Valencia, which is located on the east coast of Spain. The festival lasts for five days and culminates with the burning of huge papier-mâché effigies on the evening of the fifth day.
The festival originates from the celebration of St. Joseph’s Day, which is a Christian holiday that falls on March 19th. On this day, it was customary to burn large bonfires in honor of St. Joseph. Over time, these bonfires became increasingly elaborate, and eventually they evolved into the giant papier-mâché effigies that are burned today.
During the Fallas Festival, each neighborhood in Valencia builds its own papier-mâché effigy, which is known as a falla. These fallas can be up to 20 meters tall and are incredibly detailed and lifelike. They often depict public figures or scenes from current events.
On the night of March 19th, all of the fallas are set ablaze in a massive fireworks display. The festival ends with a grand finale known as “La Crema”, in which all of the remaining fallas are burned simultaneously.
Over two million people visit Valencia during the Fallas Festival, making it one of the largest tourist attractions in Spain. If you’re looking
What to Expect at Fallas
Valencia’s Fallas festival is one of Spain’s most popular and well-known festivals. Taking place over a period of several days in March, the festival celebrates the start of spring with a series of huge papier-mâché effigies known as fallas, which are set up throughout the city.
On the first day of the festival,known as Nit de la Crema (Night of the Fireworks), all of the fallas are set alight in a spectacular display. The following days are also filled with fireworks, parades, music and dancing.
If you’re planning on visiting Valencia for Fallas, here’s what you can expect:
huge crowds – be prepared to elbow your way through the streets!
loud bangs and bright lights – bring earplugs and sunglasses if you’re sensitive to noise or light
a lot of smoke – many of the fallas are set alight using fireworks, so there’s bound to be smoke in the air
a party atmosphere – Fallas is a time to let loose and have fun!
Tips for Visiting Fallas
1. Plan your visit in advance: Fallas is a popular festival and hotels get booked up quickly. Make sure to book accommodations well in advance.
2. Know what you want to see: There are many events and activities taking place during Fallas. Plan ahead so you can make the most of your time.
3. Dress for the occasion: Many of the events and activities taking place during Fallas are outdoors. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather.
4. Be prepared for crowds: Fallas is a popular festival and attracts large crowds. Be prepared for long lines and large crowds when attending events or activities.
5. Have fun: Fallas is a festive celebration! Enjoy the music, food, and pageantry while you’re here.
Conclusion
With its vibrant music, decorations, and abundance of cultural offerings, Fallas Festival is truly a unique event that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Not only will it give you the chance to enjoy authentic Spanish culture and festivities but it also provides an opportunity to make new friends and create unforgettable memories. Spend this time with your family or friends and have the most fun-filled adventure!