This Weekend: Gay Games Opening Ceremony & Valencia International Jazz Festival
Thursday, 25 June – Sunday, 28 June
Buen finde! Valencia’s biggest summer fortnight begins this weekend — the Gay Games opening ceremony is on Saturday, the International Jazz Festival opens at Palau de la Música, and Carmina Burana comes to Les Arts. Cinema Jove wraps up its final screenings on Friday, and the Gran Feria de València kicks off on Wednesday 1 July with a free concert at Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Sport & Fitness
The Gay Games 2026 open this Saturday 27 June at Ciutat de València stadium in Orriols and run through 4 July. More than 10,000 participants are expected — athletes competing across a wide range of disciplines, from ice-skating to dragon-boat racing, alongside a programme of cultural events. Most competitions are centred at the stadium, with watersports at the Marina. Tickets required; check the website for the full schedule.
Source: Gay Games Valencia 2026
Live Music
The Valencia International Jazz Festival opens this week at Palau de la Música in El Pla del Real, running through 26 July. Headliners this season include Maria Schneider, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, and Lizz Wright — most performing in July — but this Thursday, Cuban pianist and composer Pepe Rivero joins Valencia’s Municipal Symphony for a big-band Latin Jazz concert. Free concerts also take place in the Jardins del Palau on Thursday evenings; seating is limited but you can bring a picnic blanket and listen from the grass. No booking required for the garden concerts; tickets needed for main-stage shows.
The 39 Serenates festival continues at La Nau in Ciutat Vella through 2 July — contemporary classical music, choral works, and flamenco-jazz in the university’s open-air courtyard. Most events are free or €5. Booking required; see the website for the programme.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, the American alternative band, play Sala Moon in Jesús this Saturday 27 June. Tickets required.
Sources: Palau de la Música · 39 Serenates · Sala Moon
Theatre & Performance
The Dortmund Ballet brings its staging of Carmina Burana, choreographed by Edward Clug, to Les Arts in Quatre Carreres from Thursday 25 through Sunday 28 June. A contemporary ballet interpretation of Carl Orff’s work, performed by a visiting company. Tickets required; see the Les Arts website for the programme and booking.
Source: Les Arts
Film & Screen
Cinema Jove wraps up its 2026 edition this week. On Thursday 25 June, Greta Gerwig’s early film Hannah Takes the Stairs screens at the Centre del Carme, and on Friday there is a surprise screening selected by a festival participant. Free entry but booking required in advance.
Source: Cinema Jove
Community Calendar
Events organized by and for Valencia’s international resident community.
Landscape Studio in Ruzafa is hosting a children’s art workshop with Heather Bowley this Saturday 27 June — a good option for families looking to keep kids occupied during the summer heat. €15 per child, materials included. Booking required.
Source: Landscape Studio Ruzafa
Coming Up
Gran Feria de València kicks off on Wednesday 1 July and runs all month — fairground in the Turia, concerts and events citywide, and fireworks every Saturday. The opening concert at Plaza del Ayuntamiento on 1 July is free. The finale, the Batalla de las Flores, takes place on Sunday 26 July. For the full daily schedule, see Valencia Secreta’s article.
Source: València Secreta
L’Umbracle — Requena Ciudad Española del Vino — Thursday 2 July at L’Umbracle in Quatre Carreres. Wine tasting event featuring local Valencian wines plus live music. €15 includes three glasses. Booking required.
Source: Tickets via Enterticket
Loco Club hosts two country and folk acts on consecutive nights — Brown Horse on Wednesday 1 July and Johnny Mullenax on Thursday 2 July. Tickets required.
Source: Loco Club
Sources: Palau de la Música · Les Arts · Gay Games Valencia 2026 · Cinema Jove · València Secreta
