Fallas Culture and Customs

Fallas Culture and Customs

Fallas is a traditional celebration held in Valencia, Spain, every year in March. The main attraction of Fallas is the construction and burning of large, intricate paper-mâché sculptures called ninots. These sculptures often satirize politicians, celebrities, or current events. The festival also includes parades, fireworks, and traditional dances.

One of the most important customs during Fallas is the daily mascletà, a loud and rhythmic fireworks display that takes place at 2 pm in the main square. Locals and tourists gather to watch the spectacle and feel the ground shake under their feet. Another popular tradition is the Ofrenda de Flores, where thousands of people dress in traditional costumes and offer flowers to the Virgin Mary in the city’s cathedral.

Throughout Fallas, Valencia is filled with the smell of gunpowder, the sound of firecrackers, and the sight of colorful lights and decorations. The festival culminates on the night of March 19th with the burning of all the ninots in a spectacular display of flames and fireworks. This symbolic act represents the end of winter and the beginning of spring.