All set for Fallas
Dénia's´ Saladar falla is one of hundreds that were being erected throughout the region yesterday and will be set on fire on Monday night.
MARCH is probably the noisiest month in the Comunidad Valenciana festival calendar as the spectacular, colourful and uniquely-regional Fallas week kicks off - papier mâché monuments, literally the height of a block of flats, adorn every street corner, sending up famous people, politicians and current affairs.
As well as the grand offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary (a wooden frame who takes shape with every bunch of blooms), the main event is on the night of March 19, St Joseph's day and also Father's Day in Spain, when the fallas are burnt to the ground.
Here are the busiest fiesta programmes.
ALZIRA Friday, March 16
08.00: Wake-up call by all fallas fiesta groups in town
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display competition at the Pl Reino
00.00: ‘Plantà’ or erecting of the fallas
Saturday, March 17
08.00: Wake-up call by all falla fiesta groups in town.
11.00: Fiesta parade through all falla fiesta group headquarters
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display competition at the Pl Reino
Sunday, March 18
08.00: Wake-up call by all falla fiesta groups in town
11.00: Fiesta parade through all falla fiesta group headquarters
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display competition at the Pl Reino
14.30: The Falla Plaça del Forn will cook a traditional ‘Cassolà’, which will be attended by the town’s Falleras Mayores
17.30: Flower offering to the Mare de Déu del Lluch, the town’s patron saint
Monday, March 19
08.00: Wake-up call by all Falla fiesta groups in town
10.00: Mass in honour of Sant Josep at the Santa Caterina church, followed by a religious parade through the town streets
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display competition at the Pl Reino
21.00: The children’s Fallera Mayor will visit the children’s Fallas winner along with her court of honour, and the Falla will then be burnt
22.00: The town’s Fallera Mayor will visit the adult Falla winner, which will then be burnt
BENICARLÓ Friday, March 16
14.00: Tasting of the ‘Olleta Benicarlanda’ traditional local dish near the Falla Mercat Vell
19.00: Holly Party by the Falla Amics del Foc
19.30: ‘Mascletà’ firework display at the Pl de la Constitución
20.00: ‘ Zumba’ masterclass by the Falla Conqusitaors
23.00: Rock concert near the Falla El Grill
23.55: Alternative pop-rock music concert near the Falla Mercat Vell
23.59: Karaoke competition by the Falla la Carrasca
Mobile disco at the Falla l’Embutit
Saturday, March 17
08.00: ‘Despertà’ wake-up call at the Falla La Paperina
09.00: Firework display by Falla La Carrasca
10.00: Brunch at the Falla Amics del Foc
11.00 to 14.00: Touristic ‘Up and down’ train will perform guided tours of all the Fallas
12.30: Children’s Chorale concert at Falla La Paperina
13.00: Inauguration of the eighth edition of ‘ Furgofalles’, a gathering of camper vans by Falla l’Embut
Wine and tapas at the Falla Els Cremats
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display at the Pl de la Constitución
Tasting of the ‘Olleta Benicarlanda’ traditional local dish at Falla Conquistaors
16.30: Children’s party with workshops and hot chocolate near the Falla La Barraca
18.00: Flamenco music by Falla El Caduf
20.00: Firework and music display at Pl Mossén Tomás
21.00 and 22.45: Lights and sounds will explain the meaning of the Falla El Campanar
23.30: Concert by La Kinky Band at Falla Barraca
Concert by tribute band URock at Falla Nou Barri
23.59: 80s and 90s-themed party at Falla La Carrasca
00.00: Party at the Carrer del Vissi, near Falla La Paperina
Falla Benicarló celebrates its 45 anniversary with the performance of several DJs
04.00: Nighttime paella at Falla Els Conquistaors
Sunday, March 18
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display at Pl de la Constitución
17.00: Flower offering parade from the Pl de la Constitución to Pl de Sant Bertomeu
02.30: ‘Cordà’ or groundlevel firework display near the Falla El Grill
Monday, March 19
11.00: Mass in honour of Sant Josep at the Sant Bertomeu church
14.00: ‘Mascletà’ firework display at Pl de la Constitución
Tasting of the ‘Olleta Benicarlanda’ traditional local dish at Falla El Mercat Vell
20.00: Burning of the children’s Fallas
21.00: Burning of the best children’s Falla
22.30: Burning of the adult Fallas according to their ranking as provided by the judges
BENIDORM
Benidorm has three fallas set up this weekend. One on C/ Tomás Ortuño, another one in the Rincón de Loix and the third but not last on Pl Triangular. Falla Els Tolls (C/Tomás Ortuño) Saturday, March 17 12.00: Street procession 17.00: Get together to visit the other two fallas.
21.30: Dinner followed by a great Batucada (Samba dancing and drummers parade) and a party at the marquee.
Sunday, March 18
08.00: Awakening parade 12.00: Street procession starting from the falla.
16.30: Flower offering parade with all falleras.
Monday, March 19
08.00: Awakening parade starting from the fallas.
11.30: Get together at the falla to start the procession that will take us to the church for mass.
14.00: Mascletà, loud firecrackers on Avda. Mediterrá- neo.
17.30: Great floats parade starting from the falla at the Rincón de Loix at 17.30.
23.00: Burning of children's falla 01.00: Burning of large falla After the burnings there will be hot chocolate offered at this falla.
Rincón de Loix Falla (Avda Ametlla de Mar) Saturday, March 17
10.30: Brass band parade, presentation of insignias and get together to visit the other two fallas monuments. 17.30: Street procession 22.00: Fancy dress party with DJs at the marquee!
Sunday, March 18
8.00: Awakening parade with brass band.
12.00: Great street procession
17.00: Flower offering parade with all falleras
22.30: 40 Anniversary Party, dancing till late at the marquee. Monday, March 19 08.00: Awakening parade with brass band
11.00: Get together at the falla to start the procession that will take us to the church for mass.
14.00: Mascletà, loud firecrackers on Avda. Mediterráneo.
17.30: Great floats parade starting from the falla at the Rincón de Loix.
23.00: Burning of children's falla
24.00: Burning of large falla Falla Benidorm Centro (Pl de la Hispanidad) Saturday, March 17
12.30 & 18.00: Street procession to visit the other fallas 23.00: Fancy dress contest 24.00: Fancy dress night parade followed by party with DJ Isabel.
Sunday, March 18
12.30: Street procession 17.30: Flower offering parade with all falleras
24.00: Night parade followed by party with DJ Isabel.
Monday, March 19
08.30: Awakening parade. 12.00: Street procession to San Jaime church
13.00: Holy mass at the church.
14.00: Mascletà, loud firecrackers on Avda. Mediterráneo.
17.30: Great floats parade starting from the falla at the Rincón de Loix.
23.00: Burning of children's falla
00.30: Burning of large falla.
CALPE Friday, March 16
18.00: Fallas monuments placed on C/ Almendros 19.00: Hot chocolate for all 21.00: ‘Sobaquillo’ dinner
where everyone brings their own food at the marquee.
Saturday, March 17
7.30: Awakening parade starting from Casal Faller.
13.30: Paella for everyone at the fallas monuments on C/ Almendros.
20.00: Flower offering to Calpe's patron saint, Nuestra Señora de la Nieves in the parish church of the same name.
22.00: ‘Sobaquillo’ dinner where everyone brings their own food at the marquee.
Sunday, March 18
13.00: Grilled sardines for all at the fallas monuments.
22.00: ‘Sobaquillo’ dinner where everyone brings their own food at the marquee.
Monday, March 19
11.00: Falleras and authorities parade through the streets to the church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves where the mass will take place at 12.00.
14.00: Mascletà in the Pl Mayor
23.00hrs: Burning of the children's falla monument
Midnight: Burning of main falla monument
DENIA Saturday, March 17
07.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities
08.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities (children’s version)
08.30: Judges’ first visit to falla monuments
09.00: Judges’ second visit to falla monuments
11.00: Tribute to Falla Queens in town hall square
13.00: Prizegiving for children's fallas
14.00: Mascletà (gunpowder banger display)
19.00: Tribute to Falla Queens on the C/ Federico García Lorca
20.30: Prizegiving for main fallas
Midnight: Party in the Glorieta square
Sunday, March 18
07.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities
08.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities (children’s version)
Noon: Tribute to Falla Queens on the Cervantes Esplanade 14.00: Mascletà 18.30: Tribute to Falla Queens in the Pl Jaume I
20.00: Fiesta band parade along the C/ Marqués de Campo and C/ Diana as far as the Pl de la Constitución
21.30: Mascletà in the Pl Jaume I
Midnight: Fiesta in the Glorieta square
Monday, March 19
07.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities
08.00: ' Grand awakening' of the day's festivities (children’s version)
10.00: Processions around town between falla monuments
11.00: Mass in tribute to San José (Saint Joseph) in the La Asunción church
11.30: Offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary in the Pl del Convento following parade starting on the Marqués de Campo via the C/ Diana and C/ Magallanes 14.30: Mascletà 17.00: Processions around town between falla monuments Order of the cremàs (burning) of the fallas monuments 20.00: Town hall square falla 20.30: Children's fallas in Section One (except winner)
21.00: First prize-winning children's falla (Section One) and children's fallas in Special Section (except winner)
21.30: First prize-winning children's falla (Special Section)
22.30: Main fallas placed 6th and 7th in Section One
23.00: Main fallas placed 4th and 5th in Section One
23.30: Main fallas placed 2nd and 3rd in Section One
23.45: Winning main falla in Section One
00.30: Main fallas placed 3rd and 4th in Special Section
01.15: Main falla placed 2nd in Special Section
01.30: Winning main falla in Special Section
GANDIA Friday, March 16
10.45: Falleras parades, visiting various falla monuments
14.00: Mascletà (gunpowder banger display) outside the bus and train station 17.30: Falleras parade 19.00: Falla monument prizegiving in the town hall square
Saturday, March 17
10.30: Fallera parades, visiting various falla monuments
14.00: Mascletà outside the bus and train station
Sunday, March 18
10.30: Falleras parade, visiting various falla monuments.
14.00: Mascletà outside the bus and train station
17.00: Offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary in the Pl Mayor following parade
Monday, March 19
11.10: Falleras parade, visiting various falla monuments.
Noon: Mass in honour of Sant Josep in Sant Josep church
14.00: Mascletà outside the bus and train station
17.30: Parade starting and finishing in the Plaça Sant Josep.
21.00: Burning (cremà) of the children's fallas
23.00: Burning of the main fallas
OLIVA Saturday, March 17
14.00: Mascletà in the Parc de l'Estació
17.30: Offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary 'of the Rebollet' in the Pl Joan B. Escrivà (behind the indoor market building)
Sunday, March 18
14.00: Mascletà in the Parc de l'Estació
Monday, March 19
11.30: Mass in honour of Sant Josep in Sant Roc church
14.00: Mascletà in the Parc de l'Estació
21.00: Burning of the children's fallas
23.00: Burning of the main fallas
LLÍRIA Sunday, March 18
19.30: Flower offering in the Parròquia de l’Assumpció
Monday, March 19
12.15: Sant Josep mass at the parròquia de Sant Francesc
13.00: ‘Cercavila’ parade from the parròquia de Sant Francesc down to the Pl Mayor
13.30: ‘Mascletà’ firework display at the Pl Mayor
22.00: Burning of the children’s Fallas
24.00: Burning of the town’s six main Fallas
VALENCIA Friday, March 16
09.00: Setting up of main falla monuments
14.00: Mascletà in the city hall square
16.30: Children’s falla prizegiving outside city hall
Midnight: Firework display on the Paseo de la Alameda
Saturday, March 17
09.00: Prizegiving for main fallas outside city hall
14.00: Mascletà in the city hall square
Flower offering to the Virgin Mary (C/ San Vicente) – individual falla groups attend in 45-minute slots starting at 15.30.
Flower offering to the Virgin Mary (C/ La Paz) – individual falla groups attend in 45-minute slots starting at 15.30.
01.00: Firework display on the Paseo de la Alameda
Sunday, March 18
10.30: Tribute to the famous poet Maximiliano Thous next to his statue (at the C/ Sagunto-C/Maximiliano Thous crossroads)
Noon: Tribute to the famous composer José Serrano Simeón next to his station on the Avda del Reino de Valencia
14.00: Mascletà in the city hall square.
Flower offering to the Virgin Mary (C/ San Vicente) – individual falla groups attend in 45-minute slots starting at 15.30.
Flower offering to the Virgin Mary (C/ La Paz) – individual falla groups attend in 45-minute slots starting at 15.30.
01.30: Firework display on the Paseo de la Alameda
Monday, March 19
11.00: Flower offering to San José (Saint Joseph), patron saint of Father’s Day and of carpenters, followed by mascletà (gunpowder banger display)
Noon: Mass in tribute to San José (Saint Joseph) in Valencia cathedral
14.00: Mascletà in the city hall square
19.00: Torchlight procession along the C/ Colón, starting on the C/ Russafa, as far as the Pl de la Porta de la Mar
22.00: Cremà of children’s falla monuments
22.30: Cremà of winning children’s falla monument
23.00: Cremà of children’s falla monument in the city hall square
Midnight: Cremà of main falla monuments
00.30: Cremà of winning falla monument
01.00: Cremà of falla monument in city hall square