{"id":20875,"date":"2026-02-27T11:48:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:48:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/?post_type=inspiracion&p=20875"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:49:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:49:50","slug":"fallas-valencia","status":"publish","type":"inspiracion","link":"https:\/\/volare.volotea.com\/en\/cities\/valencia\/fallas-valencia\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to experiencing the Fallas of Valencia 2026 like a local"},"content":{"rendered":"
Many claim the Fallas of Valencia to be the best festival in the world (and, as a Valencian, I have to agree). The Fallas of Valencia<\/a> are a true celebration for the senses: colourful ninots<\/em> (figures), bands, firecrackers, churros and hot chocolate, flowers\u2026 <\/h5>\n

It\u2019s a celebration that you should definitely experience at least once in your life, although not many people can resist coming again and again. So this Guide to the Fallas<\/strong> should help you to enjoy this festival as much as the locals do.<\/p>\n

The origins of the Fallas<\/h2>\n

There are different versions of how the Fallas originated. One of the most widely known is the one relating to the carpenters of Valencia<\/strong>. The story goes that on 19 March, the carpenters used to burn their parots <\/em>(lights made of pieces of wood with candles hanging off them) in the streets. Old, unwanted items were then added to them.<\/p>\n

This event gradually evolved into the spectacular Fallas that we know today: large, colourful artistic monuments that are burned to mark the end of the festivities. A whole ritual of purification, of leaving the old behind and rebirth from the ashes.<\/p>\n

\"falla<\/figure>\n

Scheduling of the Fallas 2026<\/h2>\n

The dates of the main days of the Fallas of Valencia are always the same: 15-19 March<\/strong>. However, the atmosphere of the Fallas starts to build in the city well before this. The Crida<\/em> in the Serrano Towers takes place on the last Sunday in February. This is the proclamation that announces the start of the Fallas every year.<\/p>\n

From 1 March, the traditional masclet\u00e0<\/em> takes place every day<\/strong> in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (always at 2pm, without fail). Generally speaking, a masclet\u00e0<\/em> is a barrage of pyrotechnics that increases in intensity, with different rhythms and lasting several minutes. The starting gun for the masclet\u00e0<\/em> is set off by the Fallera Mayor<\/em> (the queen of the Fallas) from the Town Hall balcony, as she says: Senyor pirot\u00e8cnic, pot comen\u00e7ar la masclet\u00e0! <\/em>(Mr Pyrotechnic, you may commence the masclet\u00e0<\/em>!). It gives me goosebumps every time I hear it!<\/p>\n

\"mascleta<\/figure>\n
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Pardoned \u2018ninot\u2019 of the Fallas of Valencia 2023<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later on the 16th<\/sup>, the prizes for the children\u2019s fallas<\/em> are awarded. On 17 March, those for the rest of the fallas<\/em> are awarded and the Flower Offering to the Virgin begins. On the 18th<\/sup> the Offering continues and, once finished, the Nit del Foc<\/em> (Night of Fire) takes place, with a spectacular firework display.<\/p>\n

Finally, the 19th<\/sup> is the day of the Crem\u00e0 <\/em>(the burning), when all the fallas<\/em> are burned<\/strong>. The children\u2019s ones go first, followed by the rest.<\/p>\n

10 tips for enjoying the Fallas like a local<\/h2>\n

The Fallas can be overwhelming. So many events, people and sounds can make you feel a bit bewildered. So here are the key tips for enjoying the Fallas like a Valencian<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget your headscarf<\/h3>\n

There is one item that is practically obligatory to have with you during the Fallas: a Fallas headscarf<\/strong>, which is traditionally worn around the neck. And if you want to go a step further, you\u2019ll need to equip yourself with a Fallas smock, and you\u2019ll look like a true Fallas professional!<\/p>\n

Get used to the noise<\/h3>\n

The Fallas are synonymous with gunpowder and, consequently, noise. And when we Valencians smell gunpowder, we tend to say \u2018It smells like the Fallas!\u2019.<\/em> Masclet\u00e0s<\/em>, fireworks, firecrackers of all kinds\u2026 the noise is incessant.<\/p>\n

We are used to it, but it\u2019s true that it can come as a bit of a shock<\/strong> to anyone coming to the Fallas for the first time. So I would recommend that, before you come, you watch some videos of masclet\u00e0s<\/em> to get an idea of what to expect. And bear in mind that you\u2019ll be hearing firecrackers going off all day long.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s skip to the morning of 15 March, and the Plant\u00e0<\/em> (installation) of the fallas infantiles<\/em>, thechildren\u2019s fallas<\/em> (smaller monuments with themes relating to childhood and which were originally created by the children themselves). This means that they have to be fully assembled by now. That same day, the Ninot Indultat del a\u00f1o<\/a> (the pardoned ninot<\/em> of the year) is announced. This is the only figure or monument that will be spared from the fire<\/strong>. Also, in the evening, the last touches are made to the fallas<\/em> to arrive at their Plant\u00e0<\/em> in time, on the morning of the 16th<\/sup>. The jury must deliver its verdict!<\/p>\n