Buen Finde! It’s a big weekend for sports and holiday shopping in Valencia.
Sunday, 7 December, is Marathon Day. Road closures and diversions begin on Friday night.
Road closures • Valencia.es Marathon route map with timings • Valencia.es
Monday, 8 December, is a holiday (Constitution Day and the Day of the Immaculate Conception). Schools and most shops will be closed.
Holiday Festivities
The Christmas fireworks continue at Plaza del Ayuntamiento on Saturday at 18:30. The Christmas Carousel and Ice Rink are also fully open. Event details • Valencia.es
At the Marina, the Christmas Fair opens on Saturday. It runs on weekends until 19 December, then daily through 6 January. Fair schedule • Valencia.es
Christmas Markets and Nativity Scenes
Arts and crafts markets are beginning to open across the city. Plaza de la Reina’s artisans market is already active, as is the Benimaclet Charity Christmas Market this weekend. The Historic Center Christmas Market (between Calle Hospital and Avenida del Oeste) should open soon.
Citywide market listings • Ayuntamiento
Historic belenes are also appearing across Valencia. Fundación Bancaja has one of the largest collections with more than 1,000 handcrafted figures. The Ayuntamiento’s Salón de Cristal features a 40-square-metre display.
Fundación Bancaja belén • Fundación Bancaja
Salón de Cristal belén • Valencia.es
Food
Valencia’s Michelin-starred restaurants continue to grow in number. There is now a handy Interactive Michelin map for Valencia from Las Provincias
Art
IVAM opens Hidden Spain, featuring Cristina García Rodero’s striking photographs of Spanish traditions. Exhibition details • IVAM
After years of restoration, the Church of Santos Juanes has reopened with its 16th-century frescoes newly revealed. More information • Cultural Valencia
The Carmen Cultural Center is hosting the Isabel Comenge Biennale, showcasing contemporary Valencian painting until 16 January. Exhibition info • Consorci de Museus
Film
La Filmoteca has a new slate of classic screenings this weekend, including Singing in the Rain and Hitchcock’s Rear Window. Program details • La Filmoteca
La PlaZeta is hosting an immersive screening of Moulin Rouge with live dancing on Sunday. Tickets • La PlaZeta
Music
The Palau de la Música is offering a weekend of free concerts (tickets required in advance from the box office). Schedule • Palau de la Música
Friday: Valencia Symphony performs Bach.
Saturday: Folkloric Music Federation presents traditional holiday choral music.
Sunday: Danieli Binneli Tango Orchestra.
Parque Central’s new concert series at Nave 3 continues. On Friday, Nacho y Gisela perform bossa nova and boleros. Program • Agenda
16 Toneladas hosts Drink the Sea, a new project by Peter Buck of R.E.M., on Thursday, 4 December.
Event info • 16 Toneladas
La Rambleta is hosting a weekend of Lindy Hop, Charleston, and more with Swinging Undermoon.
Details • La Rambleta
Canadian folk duo Ocie Elliot performs at Sala Jerusalem on Friday. Tickets • Sala Jerusalem
Les Arts opens its opera season with Verdi’s Luisa Miller. Program • Les Arts
Shopping
The Valencia Automobile Fair runs this weekend for anyone hoping Santa might deliver a new car.
Fair information • Feria Automóvil
Sports
It’s a major sports weekend in Valencia. The marathon is the headline event on Sunday, with the kids’ mini-marathon on Saturday. Also in football, Valencia CF faces Sevilla FC at Mestalla. Tickets • Valencia CF. Then, Valencia Basket’s women’s team plays Spar Gran Canaria at Roig Arena. More info • Valencia Basket
Coming Soon:
Absolute Tennis Championship at Sporting Club de Tenis, 16–20 December
Event info • FDM Valencia
Beachbol Merry Christmas Tournament on 13 December
Event post • Instagram
Spanish Short Track Events Championship on 13 December at the Palau Velodrome
Details • Atletismo RFEA
Kids
The Christmas Boat is back at the Marina, offering rides with Santa and the Grinch.
Info • Visit Valencia
Budding paleontologists can explore Jurassic Camp at CaixaForum on Saturday — an activity workshop tied to their new dinosaur exhibit.
Details • CaixaForum
That’s all for now. I’ll continue updating the calendar and sharing new events on WhatsApp as they come in. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
