This Sunday, 22 February, Valencia will officially kick off its main city festival, Las Fallas. The celebrations will take place at spots in the city centre, from the Church of San Juan del Hospital to the Torres de Serranos and Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
The day will begin early at 6:30 am with a traditional prayer to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillery workers and pyrotechnicians, held at San Juan del Hospital. The ceremony will be led by the Fallera Mayor and the Fallera Mayor Infantil, Carmen Gil and Marta Roig.
At 7:00 am, the children’s Despertà will get underway — a noisy parade filled with firecrackers, starting on Calle de la Paz and heading towards Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Half an hour later, at 7:30 am, the larger Macrodespertà will follow the same route, accompanied by a fireworks display. Around 8:00 am, the square will host the final “earthquake” — a thunderous pyrotechnic finale.
From 8:00 am, the Vespalafalla motor rally will take over the streets, with more than 1,100 Vespa and Lambretta scooters, along with classic cars, running through the city. Participants will enjoy live music, dancing and a popular almuerzo featuring Iberian cured meats as well as prizes and raffles.
At noon, the traditional brass band parade will take place, with musicians marching from Plaza de la Virgen to Plaza del Ayuntamiento. At 2:00 pm, the square will host the first pyrotechnic show of the festival, titled “Melody of the Turia”, launched by Pirotecnia Valenciana.
The main event of the day, Crida 2026 — the official opening of Las Fallas — will begin at 7:30 pm at the Torres de Serranos. Following a light show, the anthems and official speeches will be delivered, and the Fallera Mayor and Fallera Mayor Infantil will formally invite residents and visitors alike to join in the celebrations.
The evening will conclude with the light show “Fire at the Towers” by Pirotecnia Caballer, followed by the traditional floral offering to Our Lady of the Forsaken (Virgen de los Desamparados).
The full programme for Las Fallas 2026 is available here.
