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Evening Program: Midnight Celebration and Solidarity

The evening festivities are both a celebration of the New Year and a moment to reflect on the October flood disaster.

Access Information

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento will close to traffic at 9:00 PM. Entry for attendees begins at 10:00 PM through five designated access points:

Marqués de Sotelo

Passeig de Russafa

Correos

Barques

María Cristina

Midnight Celebration

From 10:30 PM, DJs will set the mood with music leading up to midnight. Highlights include:

Free LED light sticks and plastic cups for a communal toast.

A spectacular fireworks display after the traditional 12 chimes.

Additional Fireworks Displays

In addition to the main event at the Plaza, fireworks will light up three other locations in the city:

Torres de Serranos

Alameda Station Fairground

City of Arts and Sciences

Check out this map with access points and fireworks displays to help plan your evening.

Clean-Up Efforts, Royal Visit, and Economic Rebuilding

Valencia continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating floods, with clean-up and recovery efforts advancing across affected areas. Here’s what happened over the weekend and what to expect in the days ahead.

Clean-Up Efforts

The Poyo ravine clean-up began over the weekend, tackling tons of abandoned cars, debris, stagnant water, and mud. The operation is proving challenging due to the scale of the damage, reports Levante.

Some underground garages remain submerged and difficult to clear. To address this, workers plan to use a thickening agent from France to solidify water and mud for easier removal, according to El País.

Rebuilding efforts have driven up construction costs across the region. Valencia Plaza predicts rising real estate prices as construction and renovation projects are re-evaluated in light of the disaster. Ground-floor apartments near flood-prone areas may also require significant restructuring to ensure future safety, reports Las Provincias.

Royal Visit

King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Generalitat President Carlos Mazón will attend a mass funeral for the 222 victims of the floods will take place at Valencia Cathedral on Monday, December 9, at 7 p.m.

The Royal Family’s first visit to the flood zone was met with public anger over the government’s perceived slow response. According to À Punt Media, tensions remain high as the royals prepare for this solemn occasion.

Crime and Corruption News

In a shocking development, a former captain of the Guardia Civil responsible for overseeing Valencia’s port has been arrested for drug trafficking. The investigation is ongoing, with Las Provincias providing further details.

Transport Recovery

Valencia’s transportation network is nearing full restoration:

The C-3 commuter train service between Valencia and Aldaia will resume on December 12, reports Las Provincias.
The CV-36 highway, linking Valencia to Torrent, will reopen on December 10, thanks to a newly constructed temporary viaduct, according to El País.

Economic Recovery

Valencia’s economy is showing signs of recovery. The Bonaire shopping mall, heavily damaged in the floods, will reopen some stores in the coming days, reports Las Provincias.

Efforts to support local businesses and tourism are gaining momentum:

Celebrity chef José Andrés, through his World Central Kitchen, has been cooking meals for flood victims. Now, he’s urging tourists to return to Valencia and enjoy its renowned paella.
Author Carmen Amoraga recently hosted a reading at a flood-damaged Picanya bookstore to support local literary spaces, reports El País.

Community Events

Valencia’s holiday spirit remains strong, with many Christmas events aimed at supporting flood victims:

The Nadal Solidari concert series will raise funds for recovery efforts at the Palau de Musica.
This year’s nativity scene in Plaza del Ayuntamiento honors the flood victims, with volunteers lending a hand to the festive creation.

For a full list of Christmas markets, concerts, and other events, check the updated post on holiday happenings in Valencia.

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New Year’s Celebrations in Valencia

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Family-Friendly Day Program