La Crida: The Grand Opening of Valencia’s Fallas Festival
On the last Sunday of February each year, the city of Valencia holds the grand opening ceremony of the Fallas festival—‘La Crida’—at its historic landmark, the Torres de Serranos. ‘Crida’ means ‘call’ in the Valencian language, and this event serves as the official starting signal for the Fallas, marking the city’s entry into weeks of celebration and extending an open invitation to visitors from all over the world.
Main Schedule of Events on Opening Day
The day’s events run from early morning until late at night, with a packed schedule full of traditional highlights:
- 07:30 - The Grand Wake-Up Call (Macrodespertà): The city is awakened by the massive sound of firecrackers, heralding the arrival of the festival.
- 12:00 - Parade of Music Bands (Entrada de Bandas de Música): Various musical groups parade through the streets, filling the city with a festive atmosphere.
- 14:00 - The Mascletà (Daytime Firecracker Show): Held in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square), this explosive display is renowned for its deafening rhythmic power and thick smoke. It’s a daily staple during the Fallas festival.
- 19:00 - The Official Ceremony at Torres de Serranos: The main evening ceremony, which brings the day’s excitement to its peak.
The Core Ceremony: Lights, Proclamation, and Fireworks
As night falls, the Torres de Serranos become the focal point of the city. A stunning 3D mapping projection show illuminates the tower’s facade, telling stories related to the Fallas festival. The heart of the ceremony is when the year’s Fallera Mayor (Fallas Queen) ascends the tower, receives the symbolic keys to the city, and proclaims in Valencian to the crowd: “Valencians, ja estem en Falles!” (Valencians, we are now in Fallas!). This announcement triggers cheers from the tens of thousands of people gathered below. Afterward, the Valencian regional anthem is played, and a spectacular fireworks display lights up the night sky. The lingering smell of gunpowder in the air is considered by locals to be the unique scent of the festival.
On-site Atmosphere and Tips for Attending
On the day of the event, the streets leading to the Torres de Serranos are packed with people. A beautiful sight is the large number of Falleras (women and girls in traditional Fallas attire) dressed in 18th-century style silk embroidered costumes. For those hoping to get a close-up view of the ceremony, it is recommended to arrive 2 to 3 hours early at the garden and lawn area opposite the towers. As temperatures can be low at night and the crowds are dense, wearing comfortable flat shoes and dressing warmly is advisable. Pay attention to your safety. If you can’t get into the core area, you can still enjoy the lively atmosphere by watching the parading brass bands (Charangas) and tasting local specialties like Horchata (a tiger nut milk drink) and Buñuelos (pumpkin fritters), which offer an equally authentic festival experience.
