Valencia Weekend: Mascletà, Food Fests, and Dancing Shoes

Buen finde! After surviving the blackout, we all deserve a fun and relaxing long weekend. There’s a lot happening around Valencia! I’m testing a new format to share curated weekend events while I work out a better system. Let me know what you’d like to see included—it’s still a work in progress!


Special Event: Mother’s Day Mascletà

Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Sunday, 2pm
A special mascletà will take place in honor of Mother’s Day.
More info


Literary & Art Events

La Nau Illustration Market
May 2–4
Workshops and exhibitions featuring comic art and graphic illustration.
Program

Fira del Llibre – Jardines de Viveros
Author talks, signings, and an open-air exhibit of iconic Prado artworks.
Book Festival Info
Outdoor Prado Exhibit


Food & Drink Events

Mercader Cabanyal – Tuna Month
May 1–18
Highlight: Learn how to slice a 150kg red tuna at a special ronqueo workshop on Thursday, May 18, followed by a tasting dinner.
Reservations

Atic Palau Alameda – Bartender Competition
Monday, May 5
Cocktail lovers, don’t miss this mixology showdown.
Details

FestIN Valencia
May 9–18
A unique blend of food and art in immersive experiences across the city. Events require reservations.
More info


Shopping Pop-Ups

Ruzafa “Secret Market”
Seasonal outlet pop-up featuring local fashion and lifestyle brands.
Visit site


Sports & Outdoor Activities

Basketball
April 19 – Valencia Basket (Women) vs. Perfumerías Avenida
Tickets

Cycling
May 3Valencia City Bike Race (177 km, start & end at Marina)
Route Info

Running
May 4Wings for life World Run | Carrera de Empresas
Event Info | Event Info


Dance Events

  • Chamuyo Queer Tango @ La Rambleta
    Tango for all levels, with live music and a futuristic dress code.
    Event page
  • Sweet & Hot Swing Festival
    May 1–4
    Live jazz bands and swing dancing—beginner-friendly workshops on Friday.
    Schedule

Live Music

Flamenco

Jazz

Rock & Pop

House & Electronic

Classical

  • Palau de la Música
    May 4 – Handel’s Messiah, solidarity concert by the Manuel Palau Choir & Orchestra.
    Tickets
  • Les Arts
    May 8 – Thomas Hengelbrock conducts works by Schubert, Brahms, and Bach.
    Program

Ongoing Exhibitions

Museums

  • Fundación Bancaja: New exhibit from Lita Cabellut
    Visit site
  • Centro del Carmen: “València en el alma” – artists from the Carme Thyssen Collection (until June 29)
    Exhibit Info
  • Museo de Bellas Artes: Masaveu Collection (until June 15)
    Museum Site

Galleries

  • Gabinete de Dibujos: Works by Ernest Casero & Santiago Talavera
    Instagram
  • Estudio 64: Jorge González—illustrations featured in The New Yorker
    Website

Valencia News: Blackout Mystery, Kidnapping Plot, and a Rare Fish Rescue

Good morning! Here is your update for 1 May. Please note that businesses and schools are closed today. Expect traffic disruptions in the city center due to three union-led marches starting at 11 a.m. from Plaza San Agustín.


Nationwide Blackout

Power has been fully restored across Valencia following Monday’s historic blackout, but the cause remains unclear. Early reports point to a possible failure involving solar power input to the national grid.
Valencia Extra – Possible Causes

Red Eléctrica chief Beatriz Corredor has ruled out renewable energy as a factor and rejected calls for her resignation.
El País – No Link to Renewables

The blackout triggered emergency protocols at local hospitals, and tragically, a woman reliant on a respirator died in Alzira.
El Español – Impact on Hospitals
El País – Death in Alzira

Water supply was nearly compromised: Emivasa warned that Valencia’s La Presa treatment plant was down to a single generator, which could have left the city without potable water. A backup generator was rushed in.
Levante – Water Emergency

Authorities responded more swiftly than during the October 29 floods, ceding control to the federal government early on.
Valencia Plaza – Crisis Response Comparison


May Day Marches

Today’s Labour Day demonstrations include three separate marches across Valencia city center. All begin at 11:00 a.m. from Plaza San Agustín.
Las Provincias – March Details


Politics in Valencia

The European People’s Party (PPE) congress opened in Valencia despite blackout-related disruptions on its first day. Over 1,000 protesters gathered outside, calling for the resignation of President Carlos Mazón, who skipped the opening to lead emergency meetings.
Valencia Plaza – Blackout Disrupts Congress
El País – Protesters Call Out PPE Support for Mazón
Levante – Mazón’s Low-Key Appearance


Housing Shortage

Valencia has passed a new regulation to limit tourist apartments as part of efforts to address the housing shortage.
À Punt – New Law Passed

In Patraix, residents successfully blocked a proposed tourist housing project in their building.
Valencia Extra – Patraix Residents Win


Crime and Corruption

Police have foiled a kidnapping and robbery plot in Villajoyosa, allegedly orchestrated from the UK and rooted in a love triangle.
Las Provincias – Love Triangle Plot


Climate and Environment

Mayor María José Catalá is seeking EU support to declare the Albufera lagoon a protected Biosphere Reserve.
Levante – Albufera Protection Plan

Meanwhile, the Oceanographic has successfully rescued and released a critically endangered Spiny Butterfly Ray that was accidentally caught in a fisherman’s net.
Levante – Ray Recovery