Hi, I'm Matt, I have traveled extensively through Spain over the last 15 years. The displays are approximately eight minutes long, starting relatively slowly and ending with a terremoto, or an earthquake, of hundreds of cannons releasing fireworks simultaneously. A wooden scaffolding of the Virgen de Los Desemparados—the Virgin Mary of the Helpless, the protector of Valencia—is erected in the Plaza de La Virgen, beside the Valencia Cathedral. On the final night, we gathered to see a giant head of Leonardo da Vinci explode with fire, and joined the locals in their revelry. The festival started as a tribute to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, whose feast day is March 19. This Festival brings together world-renowned chefs from various corners of the world. Contemporary fallas reach as high as 30 feet and get larger and more elaborate every year. » Valencian Gastronomy » Hotels in Valencia Enjoy some local wines, or try Agua de Valencia, a popular local cocktail made of sparkling wine (cava), vodka and freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice. This entertaining festival also sees firework competitions. In the early days, the ninots were made of wood and straw, with wax heads and paper decorations. As of 2019, residents have filed official complaints against the degradation of historical monuments with both the city and UNESCO, which designated La Lonja de La Seda as a protected World Heritage Site. The festival started as a tribute to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, whose feast day is March 19. This is one of the most important traditional Spanish festivals. And this time, that safety net saved me from becoming a one-woman Jackass episode. Just read about Kieu’s recent experience getting groped throughout Holi in India. The contents of the document indicate that a tradition had already been established. Learn how your comment data is processed. OR: anything involving a porta-potty. Where: Valencia, SpainWhen: 15th – 20th March, 2020Highlights: This carnival is all about adding that color of pop on the streets of Valencia. The ninots are put on display at the Fallas Museum (Museo Fallero), Plaza de Montolivet 4 (opposite the City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia’s crowning glory). But the truth is that no matter where you are in the world, some people use festivals as an excuse to go crazy, drink too much, and cause damage to people and property. With an excellent transport system, it's easy and reasonably cheap to get around. It is one of the most popular religious festivals in Spain. I wouldn’t stop myself from attending most festivals on my own for that reason, but going with a group means that you have a safety net in the event that something bad happens. Held in Benicassim on the east coast of Spain between Valencia and Barcelona, this Spanish music festival brings all the popular bands and artists on stage. }; Whilst photos of the event give you some idea what the effigies are like they cannot portray the atmosphere of the city during this crazy fiesta. By 1886, the taxes were so high that there were no fallas and no celebration, resulting in loud protests. This is the modern version of the popular tradition ‘Running With The Bulls’ festival. Even the smallest of kids are into it, running around with sparklers and setting off firecrackers of their own. Each afternoon at 2 p.m., there’s a 10-minute show, called the mascleta, during which some 100 kilos (220 pounds) of gunpowder are set off in a choreographed “concert of gunpowder” that fills the huge public square with thick gray smoke and thunderous noise, accompanied by shock wave vibrations from the blasts. So, what brought me here? The competition mounted, drawing in neighborhood support, and soon the carpenters were crafting shapes and characters out of wood and papier-mâché. This is one of the few religious festivals in Spain that will strike a chord with you. 9 Castles in Madrid Which Reflects The Heritage And Grand Architecture Of Spain! Another local specialty is horchata, a milky drink made with chufa nuts – delicious. VALENCIA WEATHER Starting at 8:00am, huge numbers of brave souls risk their lives to run through the city accompanied by 7 large angry bulls. Las Bolas de Fuego or "Balls of Fire" is a traditional event held every 31st of August in small town of Nejapa, El Salvador. $('#metaslider_50011').metaslider_scale_layers({ The traffic during Las Fallas is beyond description, complicated by the closing of many streets in the old town in order to accommodate parades and crowds. You can meet up with your group in Valencia or take a bus from Barcelona.More Information: For more information and a calendar of events please refer to the Official Falles de València Website. $(this).css('display', 'block'); These blue-and-white-checked neck scarves feature an appliquéd figure of the Virgin Mary or other typical fiesta symbol. Stay tuned for more posts about the fire, the explosions, the processions, and the amazing Fallas! easing:"linear", }); Besides, she also loves treating her taste buds to different cuisines, binge-watching almost all sorts of series and movies, and indulging in new experiences every now and then. You don’t need anymore reasons to visit Spain when joyous celebrations, flamenco performances, Andalusian cuisines, and a lot of horses is exactly what all the Horse Fair in Jerez brings under the spotlight. Every day in Valencia, we could explore together as a group or go off on our own. Satirical or political themes evolved, and the main ninot, or character, was accompanied by supporting figures. Make sure that you drink responsibly. The Ninots are made out of wood, papier-mache, cork and styrofoam. The celebration replaced bulls with a giant ball weighing 150 Kg and 3 meters in diameter. The main fireworks display, La Nit de Foc, ( the night of fire ) is a fantastic noisy experience which is followed the next day by one of the main attractions. Right from gastronomy and music to films and paintings, this festival celebrates all forms of talents and skills. Where: Feria del Caballo in JerezWhen: 9th – 16th May, 2020Highlights: A festival that is thoroughly dedicated to various breeds of Horses. You can witness huge beer fight if you attend this one of the most exciting Spanish festivals 2020. I went into the porta-potty, determined to get in and out as soon as possible. The fiesta noisily celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring. I use this site to show that women can travel solo safely almost anywhere. By the end of the offering, the Virgen’s dress is entirely made up of the white and red flowers. » Marinas and beaches Do not forget to indulge in some delicious tapas when attending the fair! Volunteers run on the streets and are followed by a number of angry bulls, just like the ending scene of the Bollywood blockbuster – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Additionally, air pollution from burning polystyrene foam has promoted neighborhood falla committees to consider returning to tradition construction materials of wood and papier -mâché. I try not to shy away from anything on my travels just because it’s intimidating or difficult, as you all well know. The feast day of St. Joseph honors the earthly father of Jesus Christ on the final day of Las Fallas de Valencia, paying homage to St. Joseph as the patron saint of carpenters. So, if you too wish to paint the town red or just want to be a part of this fun tradition, make sure among all festivals in Spain 2020, Tomatina is on the top of your bucket list. The Holy Week or Semana Santa, the Fallas of Valencia, August Fair in Malaga, and San Fermin are some of the holy festivals of Spain. Eventually the figures were displayed on a pedestal over a pyre. Copyright © 2020 Spanish Fiestas - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy, This Website Uses Cookies - Please Confirm That You're Okay With That. Our Busabout guide Dax knew exactly what to do — from precisely where to view the Mascleta to what local spirits to try (viva aqua de Valencia!). The procession on March 17 and 18 is an emotional walk, and many people – both men and women – are in tears when they present their bouquets to the Virgin. Trekking In Spain: 10 Best Places For Indulging In An Ultimate Adventure Like Never Before! Sometimes described as a semi-pagan, semi-patriotic, semi-religious fiesta, Las Fallas stirs the hearts of Valencians, as well as foreign observers. el.before(cloned); The ‘ninots’, which are placed at key places throughout the city, are often cruel satirical lampoons of well-known Spanish and international celebrities or politicians. But try to schedule your visit to coincide with Las Fallas in order to experience a night that the Valencians themselves like to compare to Nero’s Rome, a city in flames. Instead of being chased by the bulls, you will be running in front of this rolling ball. In recent years, fallas have featured prominent figures such as United States Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, former Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont, and contemporary popular culture figures like Lady Gaga and Shrek. Soon an entire industry was created under the auspices of the Guild of Fallas Artists. The authorities later decided to link the burning of the ‘parots’ with Saint Joseph’s Day to try to stop it getting out of control!. Each day the parties carry on late into the night, and the local area of Valencia offers a beautiful backdrop for this unique annual celebration. For someone whose mother didn’t allow firecrackers on the Fourth of July, this was a startling experience. Each year, one ‘ninot’ is spared the ordeal (as a result of a public vote) whilst the rest suffer a spectacular fate. (The current exchange rate is about $1.40 for one euro, to give you an idea.) One of the traditions of the festival is to throw bangers – a type of firework – into the streets which can be quite a shock if one catches you unaware. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. And because I had people with me, they stopped them. By the 1900s, the ninots had grown into towering works of art created by sculptors and painters. The burning is called the crema. If you think Barcelona is one gorgeous place to visit in Spain, you’ll be amazed to see it in prettier colors during this summer festival. Your email address will not be published. Over the centuries, the festival has transitioned into a massive celebration and tourist attraction that brings at least one million visitors to Valencia every year. Winners are determined by a City Hall committee. … San José (Saint Joseph), the patron saint of carpenters, is the official focus for the festival. A. One of the established facts about Spanish festivals is that no matter which festival it is, there is dancing involved. Out of all the Spanish festivals, La Tomatina Spanish festival is the most known and famous amidst people from all over the world. The next year, the tax was reduced to 10 pesetas and the fallas returned. Fallas typically take on the shape of medieval or modern characters, usually to illustrate a political or satirical message. 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