FIESTAS IN VALENCIA

Fiestas symbolise the very essence of Spain and the Spanish people. They're colourful, vibrant, usually extremely noisy, often chaotic and always great fun. The origins of the country's countless fiestas lie in religious feasts, often honouring a patron saint. Perhaps it's the warm weather or maybe it's the exuberant, uninhibited nature of the Spaniards who just love to party...

But one thing's for certain: when it's fiesta time, no-one does it better than the Spanish! Bonfires, fireworks and fire crackers feature strongly in many festivals and there's no fiesta more fiery than the famous Fallas of Valencia.

This is one of the biggest and most spectacular street festivals in Europe - one of those extraordinary and unique events that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Fallas means "fires" in the local Valencian language and on the night of March 19th each year the whole city appears to be ablaze when more than 350 beautifully made statues are burnt to the ground.

Many towns and cities hold their own versions of the Fallas but nowhere can hold a candle to Valencia which is without a doubt the home of Spain's hottest party!

Other famous fiestas include the mad, messy Tomatina which takes place in the village of Buñol, about 30 miles west of Valencia. It's the world's biggest tomato fight involving tens of thousands of people being pelted with several truckloads of tomatoes.

Related websites:

Las Fallas Fire Festival - the Video Guide

Las Fallas Website

Valencia Tourist Office Website

La Tomatina