What is Fallas?
If you're new to Valencia, Fallas (Les Falles in Valencian) is the city's biggest festival - and one of the largest in all of Europe. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, it runs from March 1 to 19 every year, though the final five days (March 15-19) are when things really take off.
At its core, Fallas is about building massive artistic monuments - often satirical, sometimes political, always impressive - and then burning them all on the final night. Hundreds of neighborhood groups (comisiones falleras) spend months (and tens of thousands of euros) creating these works of art, only to set them on fire in a spectacular ritual called La Crema.
But Fallas is much more than the burning. Expect daily firework shows that shake your windows, flower parades, street parties, all-night verbenas, churro stands on every corner, and a general atmosphere of organized chaos that takes over the entire city for nearly three weeks.
First timer? Don't confuse the name: "fallas" refers both to the festival itself and to the individual monuments that get built and burned.
Things Nobody Tells You Before Your First Fallas
- Close your windows. Starting March 1 and especially March 15-19, keep all windows shut if you live anywhere near a falla monument. Ash, smoke, and noise will get in.
- Don't hang laundry outside. Your clothes will smell like gunpowder for days.
- Move your car. If you park on the street near a falla, move it before March 15 or you may not be able to get it out until the 20th. Vehicles have been damaged by embers during La Crema.
- Sleep is optional. From March 15-19, firecrackers go off around the clock. The despertà (wake-up call) starts at 8:00 AM with marching bands and firecrackers through the streets. This is not a gentle wake-up.
- Your commute will double. Bus routes change, metro stations close, streets are blocked. Build in extra time for everything.
Key Figures for 2026
The 2026 edition brings some notable changes and fresh faces:
Falla Grande Artist
Alejandro Santaeulalia & Vicente Llacer
Theme: "Hope" - a message of peace amidst global conflict, with vibrant colors and interactive elements
Falla Infantil Artist
Mario Perez
Theme: "Valencia es Mou" - promoting sustainable mobility, built with eco-friendly materials
Municipal Fallas Budget
EUR 273,000 total
EUR 239,000 for the city's Falla Grande and EUR 34,000 for its Falla Infantil - this is just for the two official municipal monuments
Fallera Costumes Budget
EUR 125,000
For the Fallera Mayor and her court's traditional dresses, using certified silk and local artisans
Both 2026 monuments emphasize sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The Falla Grande focuses on themes of hope and peace, while the children's falla promotes sustainable mobility - reflecting Valencia's growing commitment to environmental responsibility in its cultural traditions.
Big Change for 2026: The Fallas Gala Moves to Roig Arena
For the first time in almost 20 years, the Fallas gala is changing venues. The 2026 edition moves to the Roig Arena, increasing capacity from the previous venue to 10,000-12,000 attendees. This is a significant shift - the gala is one of the most anticipated events of the Fallas season, and tickets have historically been impossible to get due to limited space. The larger venue is a direct response to years of overwhelming demand. The inaugural event at the new location was held on September 6, 2025, so the 2026 Fallas will be the first festival cycle to use it fully. If you've never been to the gala before, this might be the year to try - more seats means better odds.
2026 Dates and Schedule
While official dates for some events are confirmed closer to the festival, here's the established calendar based on tradition and confirmed details. The big events happen during the final week (March 15-19), known as la semana fallera.
Pre-Fallas (Late January - February)
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Jan 30 | Opening fireworks at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies |
| Feb 1 - Mar 15 | Ninot Exhibition at Museu de les Ciencies - preview the figures and vote for the one to be saved from the flames |
| Feb 22 | La Crida - the official opening ceremony with the Fallera Mayor at Torres de Serranos, with fireworks and music bands |
March 1-14: Warm-Up
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Daily at 14:00 | Mascleta at Plaza del Ayuntamiento - the daily daytime firework/percussion show (ear protection recommended) |
| Weekends | Firework displays (castillos) in the evenings across different neighborhoods |
| Mar 1-14 | Street parties and verbenas begin in neighborhoods with falla commissions |
March 15-19: The Big Days
| Date | Events |
|---|---|
| Mar 15 | La Planta Infantil - children's fallas are erected overnight. All monuments on display for judging. The Ninot Indultat (pardoned figure) is announced. |
| Mar 16 | La Planta - the big fallas go up. Awards announced. Fallera processions through the streets. |
| Mar 17-18 | La Ofrenda - flower offering to the Virgin of the Desamparados at Plaza de la Virgen. Thousands of falleras in traditional dress parade through the city. |
| Mar 18 | Nit del Foc - the most spectacular fireworks display of the festival, visible from across the city |
| Mar 19 | La Crema - the grand finale. Children's fallas burn at 22:00, large fallas at 22:30, and the Falla Municipal in Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 23:00. Preceded by the Cabalgata del Fuego parade at 19:00. |
Plan ahead: March 19 (San Jose / Father's Day in Spain) is a public holiday in Valencia. Most shops will be closed, but restaurants and entertainment venues stay open for the festivities.
Where to Watch
Mascleta (daily, 14:00)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the main venue. Arrive by 13:00-13:15 if you want a decent spot - it fills up fast. The mascleta is not about visual fireworks; it's a percussive, full-body experience designed to be felt as much as heard. Bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Local tip: The side streets leading into Plaza del Ayuntamiento can be a better viewing position than the center of the square itself. You feel the reverberations bouncing off the buildings, and you can leave more easily when it ends. Regulars stand on Calle Barcas or Calle Correos and swear it sounds better there. Also: the mascletas on the final days (March 17-19) are the most powerful - if you can only go once, pick one of those.
La Crida (Feb 22)
Held at the Torres de Serranos, the medieval city gates. The Fallera Mayor officially opens the festivities from the tower. Around 80,000 people attend this event, so arrive early. The surrounding streets fill up with bands and fireworks afterwards.
Local tip: The Jardines del Turia (the old riverbed park) near the Torres gives you a slightly elevated vantage point and an easier escape route when the event ends. Getting out of the main crowd at Torres de Serranos after the show can take 30-45 minutes.
Ninot Exhibition (Feb 1 - Mar 15)
Held at the Museu de les Ciencies (City of Arts and Sciences). In 2025 it drew over 92,000 visitors and featured 700+ figures. Admission is typically EUR 3 for locals and EUR 5 for others. You can vote for your favorite ninot to be saved - the "Ninot Indultat" - which then joins the permanent collection at the Museo Fallero.
Local tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid queues. The exhibition runs for six weeks, but most people rush to visit in the final days. Going in February means shorter lines and more space to actually appreciate the figures. Weekend afternoons are the busiest.
La Crema (March 19) Viewing Tips
- Best neighborhood view: Pick a smaller neighborhood falla where you can get closer without massive crowds. Ruzafa, El Carmen, and Benimaclet are popular with visitors.
- The big one: The Falla Municipal at Plaza del Ayuntamiento burns last, around 23:00. The plaza fills hours before - firefighters control the perimeter.
- Wear closed shoes. Hot embers, firecrackers, and ash are everywhere.
- Stay upwind. The smoke can be intense.
Insider strategy: The best way to experience La Crema is to pick 2-3 smaller fallas in one neighborhood and walk between them as they burn. The children's fallas start burning at 22:00, the large ones at 22:30 - so you can watch a small one go up, then walk to a bigger one nearby. The atmosphere is more intimate and you get to see the firefighters up close. Save Plaza del Ayuntamiento for the grand finale at 23:00 only if you're prepared for extreme heat and massive crowds. The balconies overlooking the plaza are the real VIP seats - if you know anyone who lives there, this is the night to cash in that favor.
Fallas start in a few days
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Getting Around During Fallas
Getting around Valencia during Fallas requires some planning. In 2025, EMT buses carried 5.9 million passengers during the festival period. Here's what to know:
Metro (Metrovalencia)
- Runs 24/7 from March 15-19 with extended hours.
- Station closures: Xativa and Colon stations typically close 12:30-14:30 daily for safety during the mascleta. Use Bailen or Angel Guimera as alternatives.
- Park-and-ride: Free parking available at Valencia Sud station and others on the outskirts - a great option if you're coming from outside the city.
- Check for possible service disruptions - transport unions have organized strikes during past Fallas.
Renfe (Cercanias)
In previous years Renfe has scheduled 80+ special trains with 24,000 extra seats during the final days (March 16-19), connecting Valencia with surrounding cities. A comfortable alternative to driving.
Buses (EMT)
- Night buses run 24 hours from March 15-19.
- Many bus routes are diverted due to street closures around falla monuments. Check the EMT Valencia app for real-time route changes.
- Around 50 guides are typically deployed at key stops to help passengers navigate disruptions.
Cycling
Valencia sets up secure bike parking areas during Fallas. Valenbisi (the public bike-share system) is an option, but be prepared for some bike lanes to be blocked by monuments or crowds.
Driving? Don't. Seriously. Large sections of the city center are closed to traffic. If you must drive, use the free park-and-ride at Valencia Sud station. In 2025 there were 2,500+ free parking spots at Metrovalencia stations on the outskirts - a much better deal than circling blocked streets for an hour.
Safety and Crowds
Fallas 2025 saw 240 fewer incidents than the prior year, thanks to a large police presence - over 15,000 police operations during the key days. That said, a few million people in the streets means you should stay aware.
Security Measures
- Drone surveillance: Valencia's police drone unit monitors crowds and fireworks areas for safety and fire detection.
- Emergency crews: Over 350 firefighters are deployed on March 19 for La Crema, with support from Castellon and Madrid regions.
- Firecrackers: They are everywhere - thrown in the streets, tossed from balconies. This is not exaggeration. Watch your step and keep children close. Illegal firecrackers remain a problem despite enforcement.
Personal Safety Tips
- Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets or a cross-body bag. Pickpockets thrive in dense crowds.
- Know your emergency exits when watching the Crema - fallas are large and the fire gets genuinely hot. Seriously: the heat from a large falla burning can be felt from 30+ meters away.
- Wear ear protection for mascletas - they regularly exceed 120 dB. Standard foam earplugs from any pharmacy (farmacia) work fine.
- If you have respiratory issues, the smoke from La Crema can be a problem. Avoid standing downwind of burning monuments.
The thing that surprises most visitors: Firecrackers are not just at organized events. During Fallas week, kids (and adults) throw petardos in the street constantly. You will hear bangs behind you, next to you, and occasionally under your feet. This is normal. It's unnerving the first time but you adjust. If it genuinely bothers you, avoid the streets between 13:00-15:00 (pre-mascleta chaos) and after 20:00 when things ramp up again.
Pets and Animal Welfare
Fallas is tough on animals. The constant fireworks and firecrackers cause extreme stress for dogs and cats.
- Keep pets indoors during mascletas (14:00 daily) and especially on March 18 (Nit del Foc) and March 19 (La Crema).
- Green scarf campaign: Some neighborhoods and animal welfare groups promote a green scarf initiative to mark pet-friendly zones and raise awareness about noise impact.
- Quiet hours: Outside of official events, firecrackers are technically restricted after certain hours, but enforcement is spotty. Expect random bangs from early March through the 19th.
- Talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication if your pet is particularly sensitive to loud noise.
Exhibitions and Culture
Ninot Exhibition (Feb 1 - Mar 15)
Open at the Museu de les Ciencies (City of Arts and Sciences), this six-week exhibition showcases 700+ figures from falla commissions across the city. The public votes for the Ninot Indultat - the one figure that gets saved from the flames and added to the Museo Fallero's permanent collection. In 2025, the winning ninot by David Sanchez Llongo honored volunteers who aided Paiporta after the devastating DANA flood, receiving 13,847 votes. The themes range from political satire to cultural tributes - in 2025 one artist faced backlash (and defended his right to satire) for a ninot mocking Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or campaign.
Museo Fallero
Located on Plaza Monteolivete, this museum houses decades of pardoned ninots - a fascinating walk through Valencia's social and political history told through satirical art. Worth a visit any time of year, but especially relevant during Fallas season.
Looking for specific events? Our Pro subscribers get access to a full events calendar for Valencia - concerts, festivals, talks, and more, updated daily. Check it out here.
The Monuments Themselves
With over 300 fallas planted across the city, the streets become an open-air art gallery from March 15-19. Many commissions invest EUR 50,000 to 250,000+ in their monuments. The Special Section features the most elaborate works - look for Falla Convento Jerusalen, L'Antiga de Campanar, Exposicion-Micer Masco, and Plaza del Pilar among the top contenders.
Practical Tips
Food and Drink
- Churros and bunyols are essential Fallas food. In 2025 there were 162 licensed stalls across the city, all inspected daily for food safety. Bunyols are the Valencian specialty - fried pumpkin doughnuts that you won't find outside of Fallas season.
- Local favorites include Horchateria Daniel, Churros Numerosos, and the century-old bakery El Contraste near the Mercado Central.
- Street food stalls and pop-up bars appear in every neighborhood with a falla commission.
Insider move: Many falla commissions sell food and drinks at their casal (neighborhood hangout) during Fallas week. The prices are lower than restaurants and the atmosphere is more authentic. Walk up to any casal with a bar and you'll be welcomed - it's how the commissions fund their monuments. This is where you'll find the real Fallas social scene.
School Calendar
Schools in Valencia close for the Fallas holiday period. If you have children, plan childcare or enjoy the festival as a family. Many children's fallas and events are designed specifically for younger audiences.
Verbenas (Street Parties)
Nearly every falla commission hosts verbenas - outdoor parties with live music, DJs, and drinks. These typically run late into the night (or early morning). Some of the best ones are in smaller neighborhoods where the atmosphere is more local and less touristy. Note that rain in 2025 forced several verbena cancellations - organizers prioritize safety, so always check the day-of schedule.
Bullfighting
The Fallas Feria Taurina takes place at Valencia's bullring during the festival. The bullring has undergone a EUR 1.2 million renovation completed in 2026 with improved safety and lighting. Whether or not you attend is a personal choice - this remains a divisive topic among both locals and visitors.
What to Wear
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes - you'll walk a lot and the streets have debris, embers, and firecracker remnants.
- Layers - March weather in Valencia can range from 12 to 22 degrees C. Rain is possible (2025 was notoriously rainy).
- Don't wear your best clothes to La Crema - smoke, ash, and the occasional stray spark are guaranteed.
Fallas Beyond Valencia
While Valencia is the epicenter, the Fallas tradition extends to other areas:
- Torrent: A city just south of Valencia that hosts its own Fallas celebrations, including the "Arribada del Foc" fireworks festival. In 2025, pyrotechnics firm Hermanos Caballer put on a spectacular 12-minute show with over 1,400 shots.
- Cartagena: Las Fallas expanded to Cartagena in 2025 with fireworks, a giant paella for 3,000 people, parades, and concerts - aiming to boost tourism and the local economy.
- Across the Valencian Community: Many towns throughout the provinces of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellon celebrate their own Fallas, often with a more intimate, local atmosphere compared to the capital.
Fallas Glossary
Key terms every visitor should know:
- Falla
- Both the festival itself and the individual monuments built and burned
- Mascleta
- Daytime percussion-fireworks show at 14:00 in Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- Ninot
- Individual figure within a falla monument
- Ninot Indultat
- The pardoned figure saved from burning by public vote
- La Crema
- The burning of all fallas on the night of March 19
- La Ofrenda
- Flower offering to the Virgin, with falleras parading through the city
- Nit del Foc
- "Night of Fire" - the biggest fireworks display, on March 18
- La Crida
- Opening ceremony at Torres de Serranos where the Fallera Mayor declares the festival open
- Fallera Mayor
- The elected representative who presides over the festival
- Comision Fallera
- Neighborhood group that organizes and funds a falla
- Planta
- The overnight setup of the falla monuments in the streets
- Cabalgata del Fuego
- Fire parade on March 19 with performers and pyrotechnics before La Crema
- Desperta
- Early morning wake-up call with firecrackers and marching bands through the streets
- Casal Faller
- The neighborhood meeting house where a falla commission gathers, eats, and celebrates
- Bunyol / Bunuelo
- Traditional fried pumpkin doughnut eaten during Fallas
- Verbena
- Outdoor street party with music, typically hosted by falla commissions
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