Enjoy a year round fiesta in Valencia
With hundreds of festivals and special events taking place throughout the Valencia Region every year, there is always a special reason to visit. Plan your trip in 2008 around one of the following events . . .JANUARY
Artichoke Festival, 25-28 January, Benicarlo
A gastronomic extravaganza with plenty of cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions of local artichoke-based dishes, plus music, fireworks and sporting events.
Carnival, 25 January – 4 February, Vinaros (Carnavaldevinaros.es)
One of the most colourful carnival celebrations in the region, with spectacular parades, including, new for this year, the 1st Drag Queen Gala. Other popular events include the Burial of the Sardine on Shrove Tuesday.
FEBRUARY
Sausage Festival, 7-10 February, Requena (Embutidoderequena.es)
A celebration of the top quality home-made sausages from the town of Requena (an hour from Valencia), with plenty of opportunities to taste the delicious produce as well as local wines. Not one for veggies!
The Magdalene Festival, 23 February-2 March, Castellon
Castellon’s main fiestas include a full programme of parades, fireworks displays and religious events, including the pilgrimage to the hermitage of Mary Magdalene. Don’t miss the “gaiatas”, elaborate lanterns displayed throughout Castellon, commemorating the foundations of the city.
MARCH
Las Fallas, 15-19 March, Valencia (Fallasfromvalencia.com)
Valencia’s renowned fiery fiestas, when hundreds of huge satirical papier-mache effigies are set up in streets and squares throughout the city, only to be burnt in magnificent bonfires on 19th March. Another highlight not to be missed is the emotional flower offering to Our Lady of the Forsaken.
Palm Sunday, 16 March, Elx
The traditional celebration of Palm Sunday is extra-special in the town of Elx, home to Europe’s largest palm tree gardens. Locals carry highly crafted palm tree decorations in a procession, a tradition which dates back to the 14th century.
APRIL
Moors and Christians Festival, 22-24 April, Alcoy (Associaciosantjordi.org)
The most extravagant celebration of St George’s Day! Thousands of locals dress up in stunning “Moor” or “Christian” costumes and parade throughout the town, re-enacting, in a light-hearted way, the battles between both that took place in the 13th century.
MAY
Cherry Festival, May, Serra
This is the best time to try the juicy cherries from the village of Serra, in the heart of the Calderona Sierra (just outside Valencia), as well as other local products. There is also a Medieval Fair with displays of traditional crafts.
Olive Oil Festival, late May, Viver
Become an olive oil connoisseur, tasting samples from some of the best oil producers in the region. The festival programme also includes the usual array of street entertainment, music and fireworks.
JUNE
Corpus Christi, early June, Valencia
Valencia’s Corpus Christi celebrations date back to the 14th Century. A solemn procession carries the Holy Host through the city streets, followed by folk dance groups, floats representing biblical scenes and the “Moma”, a character who represents the victory of virtue over the seven deadly sins.
Bonfires of St John, 20-24 June, Alicante (Hogueras.org)
Alicante’s answer to the Fallas is a similarly fiery festival to welcome the summer, with music, fireworks, parades and the burning of giant papier-mâché statues on the night of the 24th. Head to the beach to watch the spectacular fireworks displays above Saint Barbara Castle.
JULY
Bous a la Mar Festival, 16-30 July, Denia
A bull run with a twist, ending at a special bull ring set by the Costa Blanca resort’s port. Since the bullring is open to the sea, many participants (bulls and all) end up having a swim in the Med, before being swiftly rescued.
Our Lady of Carmen, 16 July, Villajoyosa
Our Lady of Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen, and her festivity is celebrated in many seaside resorts throughout the region, including the Costa Blanca resort of Villajoyosa, where a procession of fishing boats parade a statue of the Virgin out at sea.
Ceramics Day, 12-13 July, Manises
Manises, just outside Valencia, is renowned for its ceramics, and on this special day you’ll have a chance to stock up on colourful tiles and ceramics to decorate your home, or let the kids have a go at making their own!
FIB Heineken 2008, 17-20 July, Benicassim (Fiberfib.com)
The Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB) has become a well established date in the summer music festivals calendar, attracting thousands of revellers from around the world. Acts confirmed for next year include Babyshambles and My Bloody Valentine.
AUGUST
Misteri D’Elx, 14-15 August, Elx
Declared a World Heritage event, this is a moving performance of a sacred lyrical drama celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Being a leap year, there will also be extra performances on 29th October-1st November.
La Tomatina, 27 August, Bunyol (www.latomatina.es)
Welcome to the mother of all food fights, where thousands of revellers gather in the small town of Bunyol to hurl more than 45,000 kilos of ripe tomatoes at each other, just for fun! Make sure you bring goggles and spare clothes.
Grape Harvest Festival, 20-31 August, Requena (Fiestavendimiarequena.com)
Take a train from Valencia to the heart of the Utiel-Requena wine region (utielrequena.org) and enjoy a free flow of delicious wines, concerts, a comedy stand-up competition, fireworks, parades and much, much more! Take some time to visit the town and its historic underground wine cellars too.
SEPTEMBER
Rice Festival, 5-14 September, Sueca
If you like paella, this is the place for you, as chefs from around the world compete in the International Paella Contest. You will also have the chance to learn more about this traditional Valencian dish and lots of other local rice dishes.
Entrance of the bulls and horses, 8-14 September, Segorbe
The spectacle of skilful horse riders leading herds of bulls along the streets of Segorbe, a tradition which takes place daily for a week, has made the town’s main fiestas an event of international tourist interest, attracting thousands every year.
OCTOBER
Day of the Valencia Region, 9 October, throughout the region
A special day when the whole Valencia Region commemorates its liberation from Moorish rule by King James I in the 13th century. It is tradition for men to present their loved ones with the “Mocaora”, a special gift of marzipan figurines in the shape of fruits and vegetables, wrapped in a silk scarf.
NOVEMBER
Patron Saint Festivities, 10-12 November, Benidorm (Benidorm.org)
November is fiesta time in Benidorm! Escape the British winter and enjoy a full programme of parades, concerts, religious events and fireworks in the Mediterranean sun. Don’t miss the special tapestry displays!
DECEMBER
Tirisiti Puppets, 22 December- 5 January, Alcoy (Betlemdetirisiti.com)
Treat the kids to a very special puppet show for Christmas! This centenary puppet representation of Nativity plays – mixed with references to modern events or local customs – makes the delights of thousands of children and adults alike every year.
Medieval Market, 30-31 December, Peniscola
Go back in time to the Middle Ages on the Costa Azahar. Buy crafts from Medieval stalls, watch the re-enactments of historic events, and try the Pope Luna Tea, the magic potion that saved Pope Benedict XIII from being poisoned in the town’s castle. Make sure you stay for the New Year’s Eve celebrations too!
For more information on what’s on and what to see in the Valencia Region go to Comunitatvalenciana.com.
