Valencia’s festivals and traditions: a cultural guide for school groups

Valencia is a city that loves to celebrate. For school groups and interns, its festivals are a great way to experience local culture up close. They also affect opening hours, prices and availability, so it helps to know the calendar when you plan a mobility.

Las Fallas (15 to 19 March)

Las Fallas is Valencia’s best-known festival and is on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Neighbourhoods build huge satirical monuments of wood, cardboard and papier-mâché, called fallas, that fill the streets and squares. Every afternoon at 2 pm, the mascletà, a thunderous display of firecrackers, takes place in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. On the night of 19 March, almost all the monuments are burned during the Cremà.

For groups, Fallas is unforgettable, but also very busy and loud. Accommodation is booked out early and prices rise, so plan well ahead if your dates fall in mid-March.

Holy Week by the sea

During Holy Week, the maritime neighbourhoods of El Cabanyal, El Grau and El Canyamelar celebrate the Semana Santa Marinera, with processions close to the sea. It is a quieter, very local tradition that shows a different side of the city.

Nit de Sant Joan (23 June)

On the shortest night of the year, people gather on the beaches, such as La Malva-rosa, to light bonfires and welcome the summer. Tradition says you should jump over the waves at midnight and make a wish.

9 October

On 9 October, the Valencian Community celebrates its regional day with parades and events in the city centre. It is a public holiday, so many shops and businesses close.

Tips for school groups and interns

• Check local public holidays when you plan internship days: host companies may be closed.
• During Fallas, streets in the centre are closed and public transport changes its routes.
• Bring earplugs for the mascletà if students are sensitive to noise.
• Agree on clear meeting points: squares get very crowded during festivals.

Experience Valencia’s culture with your group

We can add festivals, guided visits and cultural activities to your programme, linked to your learning goals. See Erasmus+ in Valencia or send us your dates.