Valencia’s event calendar is dominated by Las Fallas in March, the loudest and most pyrotechnic festival in Spain. Beyond Fallas, the city runs a packed program of fireworks, religious processions, and film festivals across the year. Here’s the full calendar with specifics.
Valencia Events and Festivals: Annual Calendar
Las Fallas (March 15-19)
Valencia’s defining festival and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. For five days, the city becomes a continuous street party with 700+ fallas (elaborate ninot sculptures made of wood, papier-mache, and polystyrene) installed at intersections citywide.
Daily events: la mascletà (a coordinated firecracker barrage at 2:00 PM in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, free, arrives 30 minutes early for a spot), fireworks displays (castillos) at midnight in the Turia riverbed, and the Ofrenda de Flores (flower offering to the Virgin Mary, March 16-19).
The festival culminates on the night of March 19 (La Cremà ) when all fallas are burned starting at 10:00 PM, with the largest one in Plaza del Ayuntamiento burning at 1:00 AM. March temperatures average 19°C (66°F). The city population swells from 800,000 to 2 million+. Book accommodation 6-8 months ahead.
Earplugs are recommended; the noise level from firecrackers reaches 120+ decibels daily from 8:00 AM to 3:00 AM. Check our best time to visit Valencia for weather expectations during the festival.
Semana Santa (Holy Week, March or April)
Valencia’s Easter processions are smaller and more solemn than Seville’s but follow the same format: religious brotherhoods (cofradÃas) carry elaborate pasos (floats) through the streets. The main processions are on Holy Thursday and Good Friday evening through the Ciutat Vella. The Maritime Holy Week in the Cabanyal and Grau neighborhoods features processions that end at the sea. Timing varies with the church calendar.
Feria de Abril de Valencia (Late April to Early May)
Valencia’s version of Seville’s April Fair, held two weeks after Easter spanning 10 days. The venue is a dedicated recinto ferial (fairground) near the Turia River with 50+ casetas (decorated tents) serving food, drink
hosting flamenco. Some casetas are private (members only), but several are public and open to all visitors. Free entry to the fairground. Evening sessions run from 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM. Dress code: many attendees wear traditional Andalusian attire but it’s not required for visitors. The rebujito (sherry and Sprite) is the drink of choice at €5-7.
Noche de San Juan (June 23)
The summer solstice celebration on June 23rd draws thousands to Valencia’s beaches for bonfires, fireworks, and the tradition of jumping over waves at midnight for good luck. The main celebrations are at Las Arenas and Malvarrosa beaches. Bring your own wood for a bonfire or join the organized ones. The beaches fill by 8:00 PM. Public transport runs extended hours. Free, no tickets needed.
Gran Fira de València (July, 3 weeks)
Valencia’s summer festival runs for three weeks in July with free open-air concerts in the Turia Gardens, a fireworks competition, the Batalla de Flores (Battle of Flowers, a parade of flower-decorated floats through the Alameda that ends with spectators pelting participants with flowers, held the last Sunday of July)
a funfair. The fireworks displays take place Saturday nights in the Turia riverbed near the Alameda. Free entry to concerts and fireworks. The Batalla de Flores grandstand seats cost €3-5; standing spots along the route are free.
Festival de Cine de Valencia (Late October to Early November)
Cinema Jove, Valencia’s international film festival, runs for 10 days screening 100+ films with a focus on emerging directors. Venues include the Filmoteca Valenciana (Plaza del Ayuntamiento 17) and the Rialto Theatre. Individual tickets: €3-5 per screening. Festival passes: €30-50 for 10 screenings. Competition films are subtitled in English and Spanish.
For complete weather data to plan around these events, see our Valencia weather by month guide.
