What’s On This Weekend: Ruzafa Carnival and Year of the Fire Horse

Buen Finde! It’s a festive weekend in Valencia with Ruzafa’s Carnival and Lunar New Year celebrations lighting up the streets. Aemet is forecasting persistent wind conditions, with temperatures set to dip slightly. Keep an eye out for any schedule changes and expect some road closures in the city center, especially on Saturday.

Festivals

Ruzafa is in full carnival mode. The big parade takes place on Saturday, 14 February, running from Malilla to Parc Central, with dance troupes, live music, and plenty of colorful costumes filling the streets. You can find the full program and timings on the official Visit Valencia page for Carnaval de Ruzafa 2026.

Valencia also welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse on Saturday evening. The city’s Chinese community will stage its annual dragon and lion dance parade from Calle Pelayo to Plaza del Ayuntamiento — always one of the most vibrant nights of the winter calendar. Details on the parade and related events are available via Visit Valencia’s listing for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Valencia.

Campanar continues its patron saint celebrations throughout the weekend, with a special market, parades, and fireworks. Visit Valencia has the full schedule.

The Exposición del Ninot is now open ahead of Fallas and runs until March 15 at Les Arts. This is your chance to see the ninots up close — and vote for the ones you think deserve to be spared from the flames. More information is available at Valencia Extra’s coverage of the Exposición del Ninot 2026.

Coming soon

22 February – La Crida. Fallas officially begins with the traditional call to the festival at the Torres de Serranos, complete with music and fireworks.

27 February to 1 March – Spain’s top florists compete in the Copa de España de Arte Floral in Valencia.

Dance, Theater & Books

La Rambleta has a packed weekend. On Friday, Palestinian actor Nabil AlRaee performs Prisoner of Hope (Arabic and English with Spanish subtitles), and Barcelona’s hip-hop and urban dance company Brodas Bros takes the stage Friday and Saturday.

For French speakers, Ramon Llull Bookstore hosts a reading with Rachid Benzine, author of The Bookseller of Gaza. The event is free (though book purchases are appreciated) and will be held in French and Spanish.

Spanish learners might enjoy the current Agatha Christie adaptations: Asesinato en el Orient Express at Teatro Flumen and La Ratonera at Teatre Talia. If you already know the plot, it’s a fun way to test your listening skills.

For advanced Spanish speakers, La Plazeta presents a live show of No Hay Negros En El Tíbet, a trio of Afro-Spanish hosts discussing Black culture in Spain with sharp humor and social commentary. More information is available at Teatro La Plazeta.

Art Exhibitions

The CCCC (Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània) opens a new exhibition on Friday dedicated to Paco Camallonga, one of Valencia’s most recognized illustrators and artists.

Live Music

It’s a strong weekend for flamenco and jazz. SGAE hosts a free concert with jazz-flamenco pianist Juan Cortés on Thursday. On Friday, Fundación Bancaja presents flamenco singer Sandra Carrasco and guitarist David Arahal in a special tribute concert.

Jimmy Glass Jazz Club has a full lineup this weekend, from Logan Richardson’s Blues People to the Russ Lossing Mood Trio. For a Valentine’s Saturday, Loom in Ruzafa hosts jazz duo Alida McKeon and Gavin Rushing. On Sunday, CaixaForum offers a free Afro-Cuban jazz concert with Cucurucho Valdés, Javier Colina and Inor Sotolongo. And French jazz cellist Matthieu Saglio performs at Teatre Talia on Monday.

16 Toneladas features blues-rock guitarist Eric Sardinas and British indie-pop group The Primitives this weekend, while Loco Club welcomes Scottish singer Emma Pollock. Pop series, Serial Parc returns Sunday with an open-air concert at Parc de l’Oest. Jazz-electronic trio Gogo Penguin takes the stage at La Rambleta on Tuesday as part of the Piñata Music Series.

For classical options, Palau de la Música still has tickets available for its Cambra al Palau concert, and the Botanical Garden hosts the Cat Klezmer Trio for a free concert on Tuesday.

Coming soon

22 February – Harlem Gospel Travelers bring gospel-funk to Loco Club. Event details are on the Loco Club listing page.

25 February – Chicago blues singer Sheryl Youngblood performs at 16 Toneladas — more information via the 16 Toneladas event page.

28 February – Jardí Electronic returns to Parc Central. Line-up details are on Jardí Electronic’s Instagram.

28 February – Les Arts opens Handel’s Julius Caesar. You can find the full program on the Les Arts official website.

Sports & Games

Football fans get a derby this weekend: Levante UD vs Valencia CF at the Ciutat de València stadium on Sunday. Tickets are available via Levante UD’s ticketing page.

Runners can join the Caixa Popular 5K in Quatre Carreres on Sunday. Expect some road closures near Aragon station.

Coming soon

19–22 February – Copa del Rey Basketball finals at Roig Arena, with a free fan zone. Full details are on the ACB events page.

21 February – The Valencia Duathlon is still open for registration — sign up via RockTheSport.

27 February – 1 March – Spain’s National Short Track Championships take place at the Luis Puig Velodrome — information is available via Atletismo RFEA.

21 February – The Circuit Ricardo Tormo hosts the Porsche Sprint Challenge.