What’s On This Weekend: Festival of San Blas
Buen Finde! Rain or shine, plans are going ahead for the San Blas festival in Ruzafa this weekend. On Sunday, the Caixa Popular 5K runs through El Grau, so expect some road diversions in the neighborhood if you’re out and about.
Save the Date: Friday, February 6 – Pont de Valencia is teaming up with Local Air Studio for a silent art auction at Flying Bean Coffee, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, bringing readers together with local artists and their work. Entry is by donation (suggested minimum €30/person), includes a glass of cava, tapas, and time to meet the artists. Space is limited, so please register in advance. Your donation supports Pont de Valencia, and 100% of artwork sales go directly to the artists.
Festivals & Traditions
Top Pick: Ruzafa’s Festival of San Blas. The traditional market opens Friday evening with a full program of events, including a free concert at San Valero Church on Saturday by the Paiporta Youth Orchestra.
UPDATE: On Saturday, it’s the Exaltation of the Falleras Mayores. That means the full Fallera Court will celebrate with a gala at the Palau de la Música. Fallas conoisserus know the big reveal is the offical color of the Fallera Mayor’s dress this year. And, of course, there will be fireworks to end the event on Saturday, 7:30 pm.
The traditional dance series Balls al Carrer also continues Sunday morning at Plaza de la Reina.
Campanar’s Festival of Mare de Déu runs February 1–19, including its popular artichoke festival this Saturday.
Torrent’s Festival of Chocolate takes place January 30 – February 3 as part of the city’s patron saint celebrations.
Film, Theater & Storytelling
English Theatre VLC hosts a new reading of Marriage Play by Edward Albee on January 31.
The EYAS Dance Project arrives at Carme Teatre from January 30 to February 1.
Les Arts stages ¡Viva!, an avant-garde flamenco production, on January 30.
Coming soon:
Ballet lovers can look forward to back-to-back productions of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty at Teatro Olympia in February, performed by Ballet Clásico Internacional.
Music
The Centre del Carme (CCCC) hosts Valencian urban artist Gynebra for a free concert Friday evening.
For electronic beats, Thursday brings Tarab (Eamon Sprod) to Las Naves as part of the Superlab cycle. On Saturday, IVAM hosts a free concert with Valencian dark-pop artist Xenia.
There are plenty of jazz options at Burning House in Cabanyal, including the Songah Chae Trio on Thursday evening.
In classical music, Fundación Bancaja presents the Picello Brothers, a piano-and-cello duo.
There are also two excellent modern-classical options with free entry Friday: cellist Núria Conangla at Centro Cultural La Reina in Cabanyal, and violinist Ariel Merlo at Nave Ribes in Parc Central.
La Pérgola has published its concert list through May — a diverse mix of pop, urban music, and rock. It may be chilly for their first outdoor show this weekend, but it’s worth bookmarking for warmer days ahead.
Coming soon:
February 4 – Sharp Pins at 16 Toneladas, the power-pop project of Chicago’s Kai Slater.
February 15 – Scottish singer-songwriter Emma Pollock comes to Loco Club.
Art
Last week to catch the Sorolla Masterworks at Fundación Bancaja. The exhibition ends February 8. The foundation has also added works by Fernando Molero to its contemporary art exhibition, running until February 18.
The CCCC – Centre del Carme has opened three new exhibitions, alongside its special display on Valencia’s urban transformation. Ritual of Respawn explores video art, virtual reality, and gaming culture.
IVAM curators host a special guided visit for the closing of Atreverse a más, Valencia’s contemporary art from 1947–60, on January 30 (in Spanish).
Sports
In football on Sunday, it’s Levante UD v Atlético Madrid at the Ciutat de València.
Professional cyclists arrive for the La Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 – Gran Premi València. The race opens the pro season, with riders expected to finish along Avenida de Francia around 5 pm Sunday. Watch for road closures.
The World Athletics Indoor Tour takes over the Luis Puig Velodrome on Saturday, with Spain’s top athletes and international competitors.
Sunday also brings the Caixa Popular 5K in El Grau.
Coming soon:
February 4 – Valencia CF v Athletic Club at Mestalla for Copa del Rey.
February 8 – Valencia CF v Real Madrid at Mestalla for La Liga.
February 5–10 – Valencia hosts the FIH Pro League, with Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany competing.
February 4–8 – Follow the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, a multi-stage international cycling race starting in Segorbe and finishing in Valencia.
February 15 – The next Caixa Popular 5K near Aragón in the Turia.
February 21 – Registration is open for the Valencia Duathlon.
Author: Atika
Writer and journalist based in Valencia. She mixes hard news with creative storytelling and a dash of local curiosity. You might spot her biking through the city, chasing stories — or just a good cortado.