La Tomatina Festival
If you’re looking for a festival that’s a bit unusual, you can’t go wrong with La Tomatina in Valencia. This famously messy festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August each year and sees thousands of people gather to throw ripe tomatoes at each other.
The origins of the festival are a little hazy, but it’s believed to have started in the mid-1940s as a way for locals to protest against the town council. Today, it’s one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Spain, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The festivities begin early in the morning with the palo jabón- a greased pole with a ham on top. Participants must work together to climb the pole and retrieve the ham before the tomato fight can begin.
Once the ham has been claimed, trucks packed with ripe tomatoes arrive in the town square, and the chaos begins. The tomato fight lasts for around an hour, with participants splashing and throwing tomatoes at each other, resulting in everyone turning into an unrecognizable red mess.
After the battle, the participants typically head to the local river to clean off the tomato remnants. Many continue the festivities with live music, traditional Spanish food, and plenty of drinks.
While it may sound like a bucket list adventure, there are a few things to keep in mind before you attend La Tomatina. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes that you’re happy to throw away as they’ll be covered in tomato juice. Prepare your electronics by leaving them at your accommodation or putting them in a waterproof bag. And lastly, you might want to bring goggles to protect your eyes from the tomato juice and pulp.
Overall, La Tomatina is a festival unlike any other- it’s messy, chaotic, and unforgettable. If you’re in Valencia during August and looking for a unique adventure, be sure to join the tomato-slinging fun!
Las Fallas Festival
Valencia is home to one of the most famous festivals in the world- the Las Fallas Festival. This festival celebrates the arrival of spring and honors Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. This festival is a colorful and vibrant celebration of music, fireworks, parades, and art. The festival’s highlight is the construction of elaborate sculptures made of paper mache, cardboard, and wood that line the streets of Valencia. These sculptures can reach up to 20 meters in height and can take a year to complete.
The festival lasts for five days, from March 15th to 19th. The first day is known as the nit de la plantà or ‘the night of the planting,’ where the sculptures are erected throughout the city. The following days are filled with traditional music and dance performances, fireworks displays, and colorful parades. The streets of Valencia are filled with locals and tourists alike, filling the air with the sounds of laughter and excitement.
The main attraction of the festival is the daily firework display, known as ‘la Mascletà.’ This noisy and explosive display of fireworks takes place every day from 1st to 19th March at 2 pm at the Town Hall Square. Another highlight of the festival is the ‘La Cremà’ or ‘the burning.’ On the last day of the festival, the sculptures created are burned to the ground, symbolizing the end of the festival and the arrival of spring. It is a truly spectacular sight to see these intricate works of art go up in flames.
The Las Fallas Festival is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the vibrant culture, history, and traditions of Valencia. The festival has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is a perfect opportunity to indulge in delicious local food, dance to traditional music, and marvel at the incredible art and culture of Valencia.
San Juan Festival
Valencia is a beautiful city tucked away in the eastern coast of Spain. It is known for its amazing architecture, beautiful beaches, irresistible food, and a vibrant culture that is sure to leave any visitor mesmerized. In this article, we will be taking you on a tour of the famous festivals in Valencia, and what better place to kick off our tour than the San Juan festival.
San Juan is a beautiful festival that comes up every year on the 23rd of June, and it is regarded as the most important festival in Valencia. The festival is celebrated in honor of Saint John, and it is a perfect way to usher in the summer. The streets come alive during the festival, and you will be in awe of the magnificent fireworks display, live music, and street parties that dominate the city.
The festival is steeped in tradition, and as expected, there are several rituals that must be observed for the festival to be considered successful. A good example of such a ritual is jumping over the bonfire. It is believed that jumping over the bonfire helps to ward off evil spirits and ensures that one has a successful year ahead. Another popular ritual is the one involving the oceans. It is common to see people heading to the beach to take a dip in the ocean at midnight as it is believed to be good luck.
One of the highlights of the San Juan festival is the food. Valencia is a foodies’ paradise, and during the festival, you will be treated to some of the best food that the city has to offer. From paella to bunuelos, churros, and horchata, there is no shortage of mouth-watering delicacies to try out. The food is usually complemented with the famous drink of the festival, known as the Agua de Valencia. The drink is a concoction of champagne, orange juice, vodka, and gin, and it is the perfect accompaniment to the delicious food.
If you want to experience the San Juan festival for yourself, make sure to book your trip to Valencia ahead of time. The festival attracts a lot of people from all over the world, and finding accommodation during the festival can be quite the challenge if you don’t plan well in advance.
Corpus Christi Festival
Valencia is a city brimming with spectacular and unique festivals that attract visitors from around the world. Among the most popular festivals is the Corpus Christi Festival, which is celebrated in commemoration of the body of Christ. The festival takes place each year in June, 60 days after Easter Sunday.
The highlight of the Corpus Christi Festival is the grand procession, a colorful and vibrant parade that winds its way through the city streets. The parade features giant-sized figures made of papier-mâché, humorous satirical characters, floats, and beautifully designed traditional costumes. The procession is a fascinating spectacle that showcases the creativity, artistry, and devotion of the people of Valencia.
The Corpus Christi Festival is also celebrated with religious ceremonies and masses, as well as with cultural and artistic events such as exhibitions, concerts, and traditional dances. During the festival, the streets of Valencia are decorated with flowers and elaborate carpets made of sawdust, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere throughout the city.
In addition to the grand procession, one of the most popular events during the festival is the “Dances of the Giants and Big-Heads”. This is a traditional dance where performers wear large, colorful costumes and masks of exaggerated heads several feet high, representing figures from Valencian history and folklore.
The Corpus Christi Festival is an excellent opportunity to experience the unique culture, history, and traditions of Valencia. The festival attracts thousands of people from all over the world each year, and it is truly a sight to behold. If you ever find yourself in Valencia in June, be sure not to miss this spectacular event!
Carnival in Valencia
Carnival is one of the most popular festivals in Valencia, held annually in February or March. The festival is a time of celebration, with the streets filled with music, dancing, colorful costumes, and parades.
The celebrations begin with the ‘Dia de la Crida’, which is the opening ceremony and marks the start of the festivities. The carnival attracts people from all over the world, who come to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city during this time.
During carnival, you’ll see street performers, marching bands, and crazy costumes. The famous ‘mascletàs’ – a daily event during the festival – is a thunderous pyrotechnic display that symbolizes the explosion of joy and happiness.
A highlight of the festival is the ‘Cabalgata del Ninot’, a parade of giant puppets that are created by local artists and displayed throughout the city in the weeks leading up to the festival. Each year, one ‘ninot’ is chosen to be saved from the flames at the end of the festival, and it is then displayed in the local museum.
Another popular event during carnival is the ‘cremá’, where dozens of effigies are set ablaze in the streets, representing the end of the festival and the start of Lent.
If you’re planning to visit Valencia, be sure to schedule your trip during carnival season to experience the excitement and energy of one of the city’s most famous festivals.
Feria de Julio
Valencia is a city renowned for having some of the best festivals in Spain, and one of the most famous is undoubtedly the Feria de Julio. This festival is a month-long celebration that takes place every July and is the perfect way to experience the vibrant culture and rich history of Valencia.
The Feria de Julio has something for everyone, whether you are interested in music, dance, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of this beautiful city. The festival includes a range of different events, such as concerts, parades, fireworks displays, and more.
One of the highlights of the Feria de Julio is the Battle of the Flowers (Batalla de Flores). This is a colorful and lively parade that takes place on the last Sunday of July and involves thousands of flowers being thrown from floats as they make their way through the city streets.
Another popular event during the festival is the Nit a la Mar, which translates to ‘Night at the Sea’. This is an evening of live music, dancing, and fireworks that takes place on the beach, and is the perfect way to experience the vibrant energy of Valencia’s nightlife.
Whether you are a local or a visitor to the city, the Feria de Julio is a must-see event. With its colorful parades, lively music, and fantastic fireworks displays, it is a true celebration of everything that makes Valencia such a special place to visit.
Conclusion
Valencia is a city full of life and culture, and its festivals are a testament to this fact. The six festivals described in this post are each unique in their own way, but they all share one thing in common – they are all lively, vivid celebrations of the rich history and traditions of the city.
From the tomato-throwing chaos of La Tomatina to the elaborate sculptures of Las Fallas, the brilliantly colorful San Juan, the Corpus Christi religious processions, the jubilant Carnival, and the month-long celebration of Feria de Julio, Valencia’s festivals have something for everyone.
These festivals are not just fun and exciting events – they are a window into the soul of the city and its people. By participating in these festivals, visitors to Valencia can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of its culture, history, and way of life.
So, whether you’re a local or a visitor to Valencia, be sure to take part in at least one of these amazing festivals!
