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Las Fallas Festival in Valencia!
The people of Valencia in Spain celebrate their patron saint’s day and the passing of winter in March every year with a fiery party of ferocious proportions.
Duration
Countries
Price
Mar 14 - Mar 14
Immerse yourself in the end of winter celebrations with the people of Valencia - with naughty effigies, colossal bonfires and amazing parties! Las Fallas 2014 - not to be missed!
Days
Country
- Spain
What’s it all about?
Pronounced Las Fayers and meaning fire torch, Las Fallas is the coolest, the biggest, the craziest & the most fun festival in Valencia, Spain! It all began when people were celebrating St. Joseph’s Day, the patron saint of carpentry, each March 19 as far back as the 18th Century. Back in those days rag dolls were strung up and ninots (figurines) were put on platforms in various places around the city, they were supposed to represent people or occasions that people criticized. The younger people would then collect all of these and that evening they were burned in a huge bonfire or Fallas!
The festival has changed a little since then…. lots of different committees (falleros) still each make platforms with ninots on them, but now they are massively intricate and can be wheeled and displayed throughout the whole city! These days the huge figures represent famous people and current events and it is them that are now known as Fallas. On the March 15 the public vote for which of the over 700 floats they like the best, the winner is the only one that does not burn on the huge bonfire! Fun!
What happens?
Music fill the streets of Valencia, join Topdeck for a Festival that has very few international tourists so you can get a true Spanish experience. Events happen each day beginning with La despertada a Brass Band wake up call through the streets with their lively music! Every day at 2pm la Mascletá in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, which is an explosive display of firecrackers and fireworks drawing in crowds of locals. The final crescendo of noise creates a huge cheer from the crowd!
On each night there is a firworks display in the old riverbed of Valencia and on the evening of the 19th is La Cremada when all the Fallas are burnt, a treat for all the senses! This all takes place in the home of Paella and the 3rd largest city in Spain, after the Festival events, and there is definitely no shortage of things to do in this awesome city! Experience the nightlife, explore the beautiful old quarter, fantastic museums or join us on an optional bike tour.
Why Topdeck
- Travel with like-minded travellers aged 18-39
- 3 nights’ multi-share accommodation at centrally located hostel with 3 Breakfasts (B)
- Walking tour of Valencia
- Las Fallas Information Book
- European trained Topdeck Trip Leader
- Trip t-shirt
How do I get there?
The best way to get to Valencia is by flying directly into the city’s airport. Easyjet offers budget flights from London to Valencia all year round. Alternatively, flying indirectly (with a stopover somewhere in Portugal or Spain) will often save budget conscious travellers a bit of money, if you’re willing to add a little extra time to your journey (check www.skyscanner.net for details). As the festival gets closer and flight prices increase, there are still options for those who would like to save on costs and see a bit more of Spain. Cheap flights into Alicante, Barcelona or Madrid airports can be booked with a number of budget airlines, and there are direct trains to Valencia from each of these major cities. Train tickets can be booked online at http://www.renfe.es. From Alicante or Madrid the train journey is about 2 hours, and from Barcelona about 3 hours.
Topdeck Rewards
Book your 2nd, 3rd or maybe even 4th festival with us to take advantage of our Topdeck Rewards programme & save!
