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Valencia News: Heat Warnings, Taxi Strike and Corpus Christi Parade

Bon dia! Here is your news update for Monday, 23 June.

It’s bonfire night for the Festival of San Juan! If you plan to go, be aware of a taxi strike from 9 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. Traffic restrictions will also be in place around Cabanyal and Malvarrosa, so the bus and metro are your best bets.

Summer Health & Safety

Heat Alerts and Water Warnings
With summer heating up, Spain’s Ministry of Health has launched a heat alert map with info available in English.
Meteosalud Heat Map

The Aemet Meteorological Agency warns of extreme heat, with some areas in Valencia nearing 40°C. Meanwhile, concern is rising over unauthorized swimming in the Turia River despite recent drownings.
This is the Valencian town that hit 39.9 degrees on Saturday | Las Provincias
Turia swimming continues despite recent deaths | Las Provincias

Contaminated Beaches and Flood Residue
The Massalfassar beach was temporarily closed due to contamination. This comes days after La Safor beaches were briefly closed after a mystery substance was found on the beach. Elsewhere, flood debris is once again being detected along the Albufera and Valencian coastline, raising questions about the effectiveness of previous cleanup efforts.
Second beach closed over pollution | Las Provincias
Full Report: Ecologistas en Acción

Wildfire Prevention Boosted
A new system of eight water cannons is being installed in El Saler to help contain potential wildfires during red alert conditions. Over the weekend, firefighters contained a forest fire in Bocairent that threatened the Serra de Mariola Natural Park.
Fire prevention system in El Saler | Cadena SER
Bocairent Fores Fire Stabilized | A Punt

Politics in Valencia

Corruption Fallout Widens
As Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces calls for new elections amid a growing corruption scandal, PSPV offices have been vandalized. Investigations continue into alleged kickbacks and irregularities in public works. New revelations further implicate José Luis Ábalos, while the UCO gathers evidence against Rafa Rubio and others.
Vandalism targets PSPV amid scandals | Las Provincias
30 suspect contracts in Abalos probe | Levante-EMV
Police gather evidence in ‘Operación Colegios’ | Valencia Plaza

Pharmacy Payments Delayed
Valencian pharmacies have been warned of delays in public reimbursements due to the ongoing liquidity crisis with the national government.
Medication payments delayed | El País

Flood Recovery

Building Challenges in the Flood Plain
More than half a year after the October floods and reconstruction is progressing slowly. Urban planners are taking inspiration from IKEA Alafafar’s elevated parking design as they rethink flood resilience. However, some residents in Picanya are refusing to give up their riverside homes despite the danger of future floods.
IKEA model inspires Valencia’s rebuilding | Valencia Plaza
“What we’re experiencing now is worse than the Dana” | Valencia Plazas Provincias

Documenting the Disaster
Volunteers gathered at La Rambleta once again, this time for a screening of the documentary “Voluntarios: La riada silenciosa”. The film portrays the enormous volunteer effort that came together during the disaster. Another project has rescued more than 1.5 million family photos and archive films from flood damage, revealing an intimate portrait of L’Horta Sud in Valencia.
Flood volunteers return to La Rambleta, the place of solidarity | El País
What 1.5 million rescued photos say | El País

Crime & Policing

Trafficking and Labor Exploitation Raids
Police dismantled a human trafficking network, freeing women from forced sexual exploitation. In a separate case, undocumented migrants were found working in a clandestine workshop in Xirivella.
Macro-operation busts trafficking network | El País
Exploitation workshop dismantled | Las Provincias

Homeless Migrants Evicted from Industrial Estate
Dozens of migrants who had sheltered in a derelict industrial estate in Aldaia were forcibly removed by the owners of the land, without the apparent involvement of the police or city council. The violent confrontation ended with 2 people arrested and 4 detained by police.
Migration Disaster at the Aldaia Industrial estate | Levante

Missing Woman Found Adrift in Boat
A British woman who had rented a sailboat in Formentera was rescued after being spotted by a ferry traveling between Ibiza and Valencia.
Woman who disappeared in boat admitted to Valencia hospital | Las Provincias

Economy & Infrastructure

IMF and IBM Eye Valencia for New Hubs
President Carlos Mazón says the IMF is considering opening a technology office in Valencia. Meanwhile, IBM has inaugurated a new digital sales center at the Terminal Hub by the Marina.
IMF office in Valencia? | El País
IBM inaugurates its digital sales center | Valencia Plaza

Waterfront in Limbo After Losing America’s Cup
After losing the America’s Cup bid, parts of the Marina remain underfunded and derelict, awaiting a new redevelopment plan.
Valencia’s Marina awaits redesign | Las Provincias

Transport & Mobility

New International Routes
Valencia Airport has launched weekly direct flights to Montreal and Oslo, improving international connectivity.
New routes to Montreal and Oslo | Valencia Plaza

Taxi Strikes All Summer
Expect rolling taxi strikes every Saturday night this summer, plus a full shutdown for San Juan night.
San Juan and Saturday night taxi strikes | Valencia Extra

Culture & Lifestyle

Corpus Christi Parade
Roman soldiers, giants, and dancing demons filled the streets of the Old City on Sunday for one of Valencia’s most cherished traditions. In an unusual incident, one of the Cathedral bell ringers was injured when a swinging bell hit him on Sunday.
Corpus Christi Photo Essay | Las Provincias
Bell ringer injured during Corpus Christi | Levante

Guitar Straps Become a Statement
A Valencia-based maker of custom guitar straps has become a favorite among international rock stars.
Guitar Strap Fashion | Valencia Plaza

Gelato Love Story in Ruzafa
An Albanian-Italian couple, Glen and Alerna, found love — and a business — making artisanal gelato in Ruzafa.
Glen and Alerna’s gelato dream | Valencia Plaza

Festival of San Juan: Summer Solstice in Valencia

Valencia marks the arrival of summer with fire. On the shortest night of the year, the city celebrates La Nit de Sant Joan, the night of St John — a fire-lit festival that draws thousands to the beach.

The tradition is rooted in both Christian and pre-Christian customs. According to Christian lore, St. John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus, and his birth was marked by bonfires. That’s why the feast day falls on June 24. But many historians believe the celebration predates Christianity, tracing its origins to ancient solstice rituals.

Regardless of its beginnings, the festival has evolved into one of Valencia’s most beloved summer events.

Firewood, Fire Jumps, and Midnight Dips

Each year, as the sun sets on June 23, bonfires blaze across Valencia’s beaches. The City Council hands out free firewood at Cabanyal and Malvarrosa beaches in the early evening — but be warned, lines are long and supplies go fast. Many locals come prepared with their own wood.

Fires are only permitted in designated areas, and strictly banned on the southern beaches of El Saler due to the proximity to the Dehesa Natural Park, where the risk of wildfires is high. Police and fire crews will be out in force to keep things safe.

After dark, families and friends gather around bonfires to cook dinner, play music, and enjoy the sea breeze. Tradition holds that jumping over the fire seven times brings good luck for the year ahead. Then, at midnight, the bold rush into the sea, leaping through the waves seven times to welcome the new season.

It’s an all-night celebration, and clean-up begins as early as 4 a.m., when tractors roll through the sand collecting leftover debris.

Tips for Enjoying the Night

  • Expect crowds. San Juan is one of the most popular nights of the year in Valencia.
  • Leave the car at home. Biking or public transport is best, though even extra buses and metro services tend to be packed. Traffic restrictions will be strictly enforced near the beach.
  • Check local rules. If you’re heading to quieter beaches like Patacona or Port Saplaya, note that each municipality has its own regulations on bonfires. Some may not allow them at all.
  • Emergency services — including police, fire brigades, and medics — will be present throughout the night.

Plan Ahead

June 24 is a public holiday in Valencia, meaning many shops and supermarkets will be closed. Make sure to stock up on supplies before the festivities begin.

Official resources and regulations:

Want to learn more about San Juan? Check out these guides: