Buen finde! The city is still recovering from Wedensday’s torrential downpour, so a few events may have shifted or been affected by the weather. Check ahead before heading out — especially for anything on the waterfront.
Beach
Cabanyal and Malvarrosa are making the most of the end of summer with a packed weekend of festivals and food.
Moros y Cristianos Marítimo — The maritime neighborhoods celebrate this festival a little earlier than the city center, and this year it runs the whole weekend. Saturday evening’s parade is the main event — spectacular costumes reenacting the battle between Christian and Moorish forces for Valencia.
World Paella Cup — Sunday brings top chefs from around the world competing for the title of best paella — and you get to taste the results. Live music and plenty of fanfare. Entry is free; €6 gets you a plate. For a good primer on paella, read Sangeeta Singh’s feature: Paella: A Pan, a Dish, and an Argument Waiting to Happen.
Museu de la Mar — If you’re in Cabanyal, swing by the new Maritime Museum to see how local fishermen once used bulls to haul in the daily catch. This much-anticipated museum is dedicated to the fishing communities that shaped Valencia.
La Fábrica de Hielo — Cabanyal is buzzing with live music these days. Sundays here it’s Latin jazz, just steps from the beach.
City
Abierto Valencia & Design Fest — Galleries and art museums across the center are opening their doors for two art festivals this weekend. Worth following the suggested routes tracing the city’s galleries, and don’t miss free viewing of parts of the CAHH collection.
Un Lago de Conciertos — This free concert series in the Turia gardens showcases talent from Valencia’s Berklee campus. Friday at 7pm on the north side of the Museum of Science — bring a picnic blanket for sunset. Spain’s oldest festival of contemporary classical music, Ensems, is also on this weekend at Les Arts — a great chance to hear modern classical in a world-class opera house.
Oktoberfest at El Garaje Foodie — Munich comes to Valencia in Mestalla, with free entry and plenty of Paulaner beer and food on offer. For vermouth lovers, La Hora del Vermut at Mas Masia serves six local varieties alongside tapas — free entry, with tickets covering food and drink.
Russafa Escènica — A festival of theatre, dance and performance in Valencia’s hip Ruzafa neighborhood. This year’s edition, “Sacred and Profane,” runs a packed program through this weekend and into next week.
BBVA Women’s Tennis Open — Closing matches of this international tournament at Valencia’s Club de Tenis, where spectators can get right up close to the clay-court action — a great way to catch rising talent at the highest level.
Community Calendar
Tickets are going fast for UKRAID’s Silent Auction Fundraiser on October 3 — food, music and some tempting auction items, all in the historic cloisters of San Joaquín church in El Carmen. Check out their website for a full list of auction prizes – from vacation villas to food and wine experiences.
Coming Up
Nik West — the American funk bassist plays a rare Valencia show at 16 Toneladas on September 25.
Visor Fest — indie and alternative acts from around the world hit Marina Norte next weekend.
