Author: atikaetc

Valencia Weekend: Wine, Books, Kites, and Lots of Music

Happy Friday! It’s a long and lively weekend ahead. Monday is the San Vicente Ferrer holiday, so most supermarkets and shops will be closed. Expect traffic disruptions on:

  • Sunday for the Ironman Triathlon
  • Monday due to religious processions and a political protest

San Vicente Ferrer Festival

Valencia celebrates one of its patron saints with children’s performances of San Vicente Ferrer’s miracles across the city.

  • Saturday evening: Fireworks display at Torres de Serranos.
  • Monday: Religious procession to the saint’s birthplace and a mascletà
    More details

Food Events

Wine Festival in Turia Park
Hosted by Proava, between Puente de la Exposición and Puente de las Flores. Enjoy local wines—tickets include 4 tastings. proava.org

Literary Events

Valencia Book Festival at Jardines de Viveros
Author readings, signings & more from 24 April to 4 May. Full program

Catacom Comedy & Storytelling Open Mic
FusionArt, Benimaclet – Last Saturday of the month Event link

Shopping Events

One Euro Flea Market
Sunday, 27 April, Mercado de la Valvanera (Plaza Santiago Suárez) Instagram reel

Secret Market at Ruzafa Fashion Week
1–10 May. Local brand outlet sale: Sita Murt, SKFK & more @ruzafafashionweek

Sports & Games

Kite Festival
Cabanyal beach, with acrobatic kite displays all weekend. More info

Ironman Triathlon
Sunday: Swimming at the Marina; cycling and running throughout Valencia. Expect major road closures.
Traffic info

Basketball at Fuente de San Luis

  • Men’s: Valencia Basket vs. Baskonia
  • Women’s: Valencia Basket vs. Joventut Badalona
    Tickets

Motor Sports – Ricardo Tormo Track (Cheste)
Saturday, 26 April: RACE Speed Championship – Free Entry
More info

Live Music Highlights

Jazz & World

  • Jimmy Glass Jazz
    • 25 April: David Minguillón Trio
    • 29 April: Jeb Patton Quartet
    • 30 April: Caleb Wheeler Curtis Trio
  • La Rambleta
    • 30 April: Seda Jazz Big Band
  • La Vitti
    • 26 April: Valmuz (jazz/rock fusion)
  • Botanical Gardens
    • 26 April: Desgel Big Band, Joan Plaça Auditorium
  • Matisse
    • 27 April: JR Martin Samsara + jam session
    • 29 April: V-side Collective Groove Jam
  • La Fábrica de Hielo
    • 27 April: Mari-Ann and The Chasers (Brazilian/Spanish blues)
    • 28 April: Autana Trío (Latin guitar) + Panbilly and the Rangers
  • Palau de la Música
    • 30 April: Jazz Day Festival
  • Caixa Forum
    • 26 April: Holden & Zimpel (Experimental clarinet & synth)

Rock & Pop

  • Radio City
    • 25 April: Terry Blue (Indie-folk)
    • 30 April: Oscar Ettedgui (Venezuelan songwriter)
  • Loco Club
    • 25 April: Grande Amore + Dunaviva
    • 30 April–2 May: Circuit Abanda (Valencia showcase)
    • 30 April: Divorce (UK indie-rock)
  • 16 Toneladas
    • 25 April: Giuda + Deaf Devils + Vacaciones Permanentes
    • 26 April: Acid Mothers Temple + Doctor Divago
    • 27 April: Nick Waterhouse (sold out)
  • Matisse
    • 26 April: Verde Reberde + Mar de Leva
  • Veles e Vents
    • 26 April: The Limboos + Huracán Romántica (Outdoor pop)
  • La Casa de la Mar
    • 26 April (afternoon): Aslándticos

House & Electronic

Funk & Hip-Hop

Classical Music & Opera

  • MuVim
    • 27 April: Puccini & Friends – FREE concert, tickets open at 11:00
  • Palau de la Música
    • 26 April: Flutist Mónica Raga with Symphony Orchestra
  • Les Arts
    • L’Heure Espagnol opera continues until 4 May

Art Exhibitions

  • Almudín Museum – Final weekend for Claudy Jongstra’s wool canvases (Until 27 April) More
  • La Nau – Carmen Grau: Poetry & Collage Exhibition
  • Fundación Bancaja – Lita Cabellut + Eduardo Úrculo Info
  • Carmen Contemporary Cultural Center – Valencia artists in the Carme Thyssen Collection (Until 29 June) Details
  • Bellas Artes Museum – Masaveu Collection (Until 15 June) More Info

Valencia News: Tributes to Pope Francis, Mysterious Street Art, and a Rare Scientific Discovery

Good morning! Here’s your news update for Thursday, 23 April. Weekend highlights out tomorrow.

Coming Up: Festival of San Vicente Ferrer
This Monday marks the celebration of San Vicente Ferrer, Valencia’s patron saint. I’ve published a special post exploring the holiday’s history and how the city celebrates — from miracle plays to street processions. Read it here

Valencia Mourns the Death of Pope Francis

Valencia has declared three days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis. Churches across the city, including the Cathedral, have seen an outpouring of visitors.

Pope Francis had a special relationship with Valencia, from praising Fallas to expressing concern during the 2024 floods.

Two former archbishops of Valencia — Cañizares and Osoro — will participate in the papal conclave and are both considered papabile.

San Vicente Ferrer Festival

Valencia’s week-long festival honoring San Vicente Ferrer is underway. Children are performing reenactments of the saint’s miracles across the city.

Politics in Valencia

A protest over the regional government’s handling of the October flood disaster will take place on Monday, 28 April — coinciding with San Vicente Ferrer’s festival. The route has been altered to avoid clashing with religious events. It also comes just one day before the conservative European People’s Party summit takes place in Valencia.

Flood Recovery

Six months after the devastating floods, recovery remains slow. Key infrastructure — including two dams and five major roads — is still unrepaired. Many buildings continue to face issues such as non-functional elevators.

In Torrent, officials warn of another potential flood if ravines aren’t cleared. Two workers were recently rescued from a ravine in l’Horteta after water levels rose dangerously.

Meanwhile, La Torre will pilot a European AI-supported project to improve flood preparedness.

Changing City

March saw record-high rental prices in Valencia, with stark differences between neighborhoods.

Torrent has become one of Spain’s top ten most desirable cities for homebuyers.

Nearly 30% of home purchases in the Valencian Community are by foreigners, with Alicante leading at over 40%. British and Dutch buyers top the list.

In Patraix, the city council is considering halting tourist rentals in several ground-floor apartments after resident protests.

Valencia’s public bus network is expanding service into Sociópolis and Turianova, improving access to the new La Fe Hospital.

Crime and Corruption

Two men have been arrested in the killing of a young man whose charred body was found in a Lliria orange grove. Police believe it was related to a drug deal.

Valencia police are investigating a graffiti campaign involving mysterious green-eyed shadow figures painted across the city. Though intended as social commentary, police have labeled it vandalism.

Climate and Environment

Scientists at Valencia’s Oceanogràfic Foundation have discovered a new species of mollusk in the Mediterranean — the first such discovery in nearly 200 years.