Valencia’s Fallas 2022: the ultimate guide

2022-03-14

What are the Fallas?

The origin of the Fallas dates back to the Middle Ages, and it is said that carpenters burned their parot, a wooden lamp, on the eve of Saint Joseph's Day. That lamp was the same one they used in their workshops, but when the good weather started and there were more hours of daylight, they stopped needing them.

Over time, they decorated their parots with more fabrics or other materials until in the mid-19th century, they began to make the tall, colourful figures we know today. The current fallas are mostly made of polystyrene or white cork, based on a wooden frame and each of characters that form it are called ninots.

The first recorded falla dates from the year 1774, although until 1848 there is no continuous documentation of the festivities being celebrated.
Currently, there are around 350 major fallas and 350 more for children, since all acts are adapted at different times so that children can also enjoy the festivities.

The Fallas begin on the last Sunday of February in the act of La Crida, with a passionate proclamation. Although these are considered to be from March 1st to the 19th, it is from the 15th that Fallas Week begins, since that is when the plantá takes place.

The celebrations were recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2016.

What to see?

- On the night of March 15th you will be able to see the plantá. The falleros meet to build their fallas because they have to be ready for the next day first thing in the morning, for when the jury passes. As they are being assembled, you will also be able to see many people always nearby cheering. At midnight, all the fallas shoot off small fireworks, leaving all of Valencia illuminated.

- At least one 'mascletá'. From March 1st to 19th at 2 pm in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento you will be able to enjoy a show with gunpowder explosions. We recommend you go around 1 pm, since the square fills up quickly and there is limited space. There are even those who rent balconies to appreciate it better!

- One of the most emotional acts for the falleros is the small pilgrimage in honour of the Virgen de los Desamparados. In representation of each falla, a bouquet of flowers is taken to the Plaza de la Virgen. The offering to the Virgin begins at 3:30 pm on the 17th and is also celebrated on the 18^th at the same time.

- See the best fallas! One of the things you cannot miss is seeing the best fallas, some of which are Reino de Valencia – Duque de Calabria, Sueca – Literato Azorín, Antiga del Campanar, or Na Jornada. All of them are located on the streets with the same name and if they have a combined name it is because they are between two streets.
You should also see the falla of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, as it is the only one that does not enter the contest and is considered to be the one that represents all Valencians.

- Every night from the 15th to the 19th you can marvel at the fireworks display that changes location depending on the day. The night of the 18th is the most important, as it is the Nit del Foc or Night of Fire, and it is the biggest fireworks display of the festivities.

- The Cavalcada del Foc. On the last day from 6 pm to 8 pm, the Cavalcada del Foc or Cavalcade of Fire, runs through the streets from Ruzafa Street until it reaches Porta del Mar. It is the announcement that the fire is approaching the fallas. Many even go disguised as demons! It is a celebration with dances, music and, of course, fire.

- See the cremá. Surely the most important event, the cremá is the burning of the fallas that have been celebrated for days. At 10 pm on the 19th, all the fallas are burned, except for the winner, which burns at 10:30 pm, and the falla at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the last one at 11 pm.

What should you do?

There are some things that you must do when you arrive in Valencia for your first Fallas, and they had to be in this ultimate guide for the Fallas 2022.

- Buy a fallero handkerchief. In order to wear the same clothing as everyone around you and also because it will help protect you from the smoke during the cremá.

- Eat churros and fritters. Because if it is a celebration, it has to be celebrated accordingly. In all the streets of Valencia you will be able to find stalls that sell them and you must at least try them.

- Go to a verbena. Each day of the Fallas Week from 11 pm until the wee hours of the morning, you will find verbenas. These are popular parties on the street, usually celebrated outdoors, in which the falleros offer bar service and use the profits for the construction of the following year's falla.

- And then, resist sleep and go to a despertá. Every morning from the 15th to the 19th at 8 am, the streets are filled with music and firecrackers to continue with the party. The celebration often ends eating some delicious churros.

- Watch a falla burn. During your walks through the streets of Valencia you must choose the falla that you like the most and watch it burn during the cremá. There is no greater tradition in the Fallas!

How to find out what's happening?

We know that there are many events that you cannot miss, but you just have to organize yourself and understand that you will not be able to go everywhere. But you must at least try!

In the online Fallas 2022 Program you will find all the events by day and time with a brief description daily updated. And you also have the option to download the original program in PDF format.

You may also like to listen to the podcast dedicated exclusively to the Fallas called Tiempo de Fallas. In it you will be able to listen to current news and curiosities of the festivities, so it may be interesting to listen to a couple of them before going.

Perhaps one of the most useful resources we are going to give you is the Fallas Map. You will be able to find a Google Maps map with all the fallas numbered, with their respective title, location, and photographs.

Where can you stay?

It is well known that, during the Fallas season, Valencia fills up and it is very difficult to find accommodation.
Still don't have accommodation to enjoy the Fallas? If you are still looking, you can stay at Resa Inn, modern, comfortable, and multifunctional accommodations where you will be able to enjoy sea views while being close to the city centre.
You may also book now and benefit of a 10% discount with the code LIVINGRESA.

Then what, see you in Valencia in a few days?

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