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 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 MuseumMasaveu Collection (Until 15 June) More Info