Valencia's biggest party is Las Fallas, which is held every year in March. The feast is dedicated to the patron saint of carpenters, San José. Every neighborhood or neighborhood makes a falla figure out of wood and papier-mâché. These are funny, somewhat satirical figures that can be very high. On the 17th and 18th of March the fallas go in procession to the Plaza de la Virgen. At the end of the feast all the fallas are burned, with the exception of a chosen figure, the Ninot. Every evening there are big fireworks, but the most spectacular is the fireworks on the final evening (19 March). Needless to say, the party continues into the wee hours.

If you are not in Valencia during the festival, you can see how the fallas are made in the Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros. You can follow every stage of the process, from the first sketch to the finish. Particularly interesting is a huge doll of which you can see the wooden interior. You can also see the history of the Fallas Festival. In the Middle Ages the "dolls" were no more than a few clothes on a wooden frame, now they are downright works of art.

Please note: this museum is located in the north of Valencia. There is also a Fallas Museum (Museo Fallero) in the centre at the Plaza Monteolivete, but if you have the time go to the museum of the fallasmakers themselves.

Good to know

Website: Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros
Address: Avenida San José Artesano
Opening Hours: 10.00-14.00 and 16.00-19.00 (Saturday 10.00-14.00) Entrance

Consult the website of the Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros for up-to-date price information and opening hours.