TastArròs Festival 2026: Valencia Celebrates Rice Days in the City’s Main Square

On 25 and 26 April, the centre of Valencia will transform into a venue for one of the region's premier gastronomic celebrations. Plaza del Ayuntamiento will host the TastArròs festival, dedicated to paella and other traditional rice dishes.

Organised by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Arròs de València, the event brings together chefs and producers to demonstrate how traditional Valencian dishes are prepared. Entry to the festival is free, and visitors can sample dishes at affordable prices—approximately €5 per portion.

Guests will be offered classic paella alongside modern variations, all crafted using local rice varieties. You can also discover how rice was traditionally dried; a dedicated area on the square will feature a dryer with 10 tonnes of grain to demonstrate the heritage drying process.

The programme includes live cooking shows, music, and a competition for young chefs from across Spain, who will compete to create the best rice-based dish.

This spring, Valencia is packed with exciting events. From 9 to 13 April, the 36th PROAVA exhibition will take place in the Turia Gardens (Jardín del Turia). The fair will showcase regional wines, cava, craft beers, liqueurs, and local delicacies. Visitors can sample regional products and engage directly with producers to learn about brand histories and production techniques.