Events and Festivals in Spain
Whether it’s a local party or a massive national festival, nothing’s more frustrating than missing out on major events on your travels. To make sure you’re at the most exciting events in Spain check out the HostelBookers roundup of what’s happening when. We’ve got the lot covered!
Ninots on Fire
Las Fallas - Spain
When: 15 March 2010 - 19 March 2010
Las Fallas is regarded as one of the wildest parties on the Spanish calendar - which just about makes it one of the wildest in the world!
Over a five day period leading up to the 19th of March, large wooden structures are assembled and displayed in the city before being set alight on the final day amongst a melee of fireworks and firecrackers.
As the magnificent structures burn, waiting firefighters step in and fight the flames while the crowd, in a slightly odd twist, offer generally drunken, but lighthearted, abuse. Rarely has the term ‘friendly fire’ been more appropriate!
But there’s method and meaning to all this madness. Las Fallas represents the ceremonial burning of street lamps on St Joseph's Day. The large wooden structures, called ‘ninots,' often depict humorous and satirical situations involving mythical or well-known figures.
Millions of people descend on Valencia for this event and the region is engulfed with pyrotechnic enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. During the buildup to the final night, various separate activities take place across the city.
One such, the ‘mascleta’, is an event in itself; around 2pm on each day, a mound of firecrackers are lit in the Placa de l’Ayuntament in a 10-minute cacophony of ground-shaking, ear-busting noise.
