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Get ready for a festival full of fiery fun and vibrant celebrations, because Falles is just around the corner! This annual tradition takes place in Valencia, Spain every year from March 15-19 to honor Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. The festivities are known for their spectacular firework displays, colorful parades, and towering papier-mâché sculptures that are burned on the final day. It's a time for locals and tourists alike to come together and indulge in delicious food, music, and traditional costumes. So mark your calendars for this exciting event – you won't want to miss it!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Middle Ages</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Falles Origins</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Falles tradition started in the Middle Ages when artisans disposed of the broken artifacts and pieces of wood they no longer needed by burning them.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1784</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Falles Satirical Evolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the late 18th century, locals in Valencia began creating larger and more elaborate fallas, often with satirical or humorous themes.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1931</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Falles Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>The city of Valencia held the first organized Falles festival, with neighborhood groups competing for the best fallas.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Falles Museum Opens</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Falles Museum opened in Valencia in 1995, offering visitors a year-round opportunity to learn about the history of this unique tradition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Falles UNESCO Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Falles festival was added to UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, giving worldwide recognition to this Valencian tradition.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a Falles festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Immerse yourself in the culture and celebration of Falles by attending a local festival. Experience traditional music, food, and parades that showcase the vibrant spirit of the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a Falla</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>A Falla is a large, elaborate structure made of wood, paper, and other materials that is displayed during the festival. Gather some friends and create your own Falla to display in your neighborhood.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try traditional Falles foods</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Indulge in some delicious traditional Falles foods such as paella, buñuelos, and churros. You can either make them yourself or visit a local restaurant that specializes in these dishes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Decorate your home with Falles colors</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get into the spirit of Falles by decorating your home with the traditional colors of red, yellow, and blue. Hang streamers, balloons, and other decorations to celebrate the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a fireworks display</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>End your Falles celebration by attending a dazzling fireworks display. Many cities host grand displays on the last day of the festival, so make sure to plan accordingly.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates tradition and culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Falles is a traditional celebration that has been around for centuries in Valencia, Spain. It honors the city's patron saint, Saint Joseph, and is deeply rooted in Valencian culture. Falles is a way to preserve and showcase the unique customs and history of the region.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Falles, entire neighborhoods come together to create elaborate papier-mâché figures called "fallas" and compete for the best design. These fallas are then burned on the final night of the celebration amidst a grand fireworks display. This tradition builds camaraderie and fosters a sense of community among residents.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes tourism</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Falles has become a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world to witness this unique celebration. The city comes alive with parades, street parties, and various cultural events. Falles not only celebrates Valencian culture but also promotes tourism and brings in revenue for the city.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Falles literally means 'torches'</h3><p class='facts-content'>Deriving from the Latin word 'fax', Falles refers to the torches used to light up cathedrals during saint's days, demonstrating the festival's deeply rooted connection with light and fire.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Falleras are the women of Falles</h3><p class='facts-content'>Falleras are women who participate in the Falles festival dressed in traditional Valencian costumes, often decorated with elaborate jewelry and handmade lace.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Falles has its own special dish</h3><p class='facts-content'>Paella Valenciana, a signature dish of Valencia, is traditionally eaten during the Falles festivities. It's a rich dish primarily cooked with rice, a variety of meats, beans and saffron.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Building a Falla can take an entire year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Considering their large sizes and intricate designs, preparation for the Falles statues often begins almost immediately after the festival ends, demonstrating their high value in this cultural tradition.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The "Crida" signals the start of the Falles</h3><p class='facts-content'>The "Crida" (Cry) is a public speech that takes place on the last Sunday of February, from the Towers of Serranos, calling all to join the festival and marking the official beginning of Falles.</p></div></div>
Falles is celebrated on March 15 every year. In 2024, Falles will occur on a Friday.
2023
Mar 15
Wednesday
2024
Mar 15
Friday
2025
Mar 15
Saturday
2026
Mar 15
Sunday
2027
Mar 15
Monday
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