Festivals in Valencia

In most Mediterranean countries festivals are an integral part of the culture and meaning of every day life.

They almost always have a religious, pagan or agricultural significance to them.

6 January

The Christmas festivities are brought to a close with Kings Day - (Epiphany), the time when Spanish children receive their presents.

Kings Day

January
The celebration of San Vicente Martir on 22 January, is the festival of the Patron Saint of Valencia and this is followed by one of the most exciting and famous festival of them all is Las Fallas.

San Vicente Martir

March
Las Fallas de Valencia is an amazing pyrotechnic orgy of fireworks and burning of satirical figures which is held every year between 15 - 19 March.

Las Fallas

March/April
Another more solemn and yet beautiful of the festivals in Valencia is the week of Semana Santa (Easter). This very religious festival is held in the Poblados Marítimos (Maritime Villages) of La Malvarrosa and Cabanyal and solemn 'romerias' (processions) take place during Holy Week.

Semana Santa - Easter

May
On 3 May is the festival of 'The Crosses of May' when all the streets of Valencia are decorated with crosses made of flowers.On the second Sunday in May is the beautiful festival of Virgin de los Desamparados (Virgin of the Helpless), Patron Saint of the City - Mare de Déu dels Desemparats. Once a year the virgin is carried in a procession of flower petals from the Basilica in Plaza de la Virgin to the Cathedral and at the end of the festival the entire square is a blanket of flowers.

Virgin de los Desamparados (Virgin of the Helpless)

23 June
The festival of Sant Joan (San Juan in Castillian), is a pagan festival which is celebrated all over Spain. The festival coincides with the summer solstice and to celebrate the shortest night of the year huge bonfires are lit on the beach in Valencia.

It's customary to have lots of food and drinks and there's much singing and dancing and jumping over bonfires.

July
The flower filled festivals of Valencia reach their peek with the Feria de Julio (July Fair) is a time for celebrating the hot summer days and warm summer nights of Valencia with classical and rock concerts, bullfights and theatrical events and sports and firework displays on the beach.

July Fair - Feria de Julio

July/September
Another really fantastic festival is the Festival of Films which is held during the summer vacations from July until September.

Valencia Festival of Films

August
On the last Wednesday in the month of August is one of the most bizarre and enjoyable of festivals in Valencia. It's held every year in the town of Buñol. It's internationally famous and people flock from miles around to take part in the yearly 'Battle of Tomatoes' which takes place on the last Wednesday in August.

La Tomatina

9 October
9 October is the National Day of the Region of Valencia and also one of the most romantic festivals in Valencia... the feast of San Dionís, a day to celebrate love (similar to St Valentine's Day).

National Day & San Dionís

1 November
Todos Los Santos - All Saints' Day is celebrated throughout Spain. Families make their way to cemeteries, light candles and remember their loved ones who have died.

December
Last but by no means least is the most exciting festival of all. Yes, you guessed it... Christmas and in Spanish Navidad. This is when Valencia really excels in celebrating the oldest and most joyous festival of all. Christmas lights are switched on from the 1st December until 7th January and the whole city comes alive with the magic of Christmas.

Christmas - Navidad

December/January

A few days later comes the daddy of them all New Year's Eve. Everyone lets their hair down and eats the obligatory 12 grapes at the count of 12 midnight.

New Year's Eve.

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