The famous Fallas of Valencia are celebrated on 19th March, San Jose day, every year. Here in Ibiza, the thousands of Valencians who now live here celebrate around the following weekend so that they can be at both places.
As you probably know, the main part of the Fallas is the 'crema' the burning of the papier mache effigies in great bonfires. Peripheral to that, there is of course quite a lot of music, feasting – with paella taking centre stage – drinking and the loudest fireworks you'll ever hear.
The organisers reckon that they'll have about 10,000 people there and if you get the chance, go and have a look at the models before they burn them, they're fantastic! All the action takes place around the marquee in Ses Variades (just next to the famous Sunset Strip) and starts on Friday 25th at 19.00 when the fallas – there's a kids' one and an adults' one - are officially put on display. This is followed by musical entertainment.
On 26th the day starts at 09.00 sharp with a band playing reveille around the streets of San An. At 11.30 there's a procession round town, a mass in the church at 19.00 and at 21.00 a concert and later dancing to the Retro band.
Sunday 27th is the big day, started by – yes you've guessed – a reveille round the streets and followed at 14.00 by the 'mascleta, with super loud bangers as our video shows! I can normally hear it from 12 km away in San Jose.
At 21.00 the kids' falla is burned and at 23.00 the adults' one and of course mucha fiesta!
