February is the month of carnivals in many places all over the world – Rio de Janeiro, Tenerife, Venecia, you name it. But even Valencia doesn’t stay behind. Why people celebrate carnivals and where to go to watch the marvellous parades in Valencia?
Brief history
Carnival is regarded as a rite of passage from winter to summer, a celebration of fertility and the first spring festival of the new year. Some believe that the tradition comes from Roman solstice festival, where participants indulged in drinking and dancing, others say that the word “carnival” literally means “farewell to the meat” as it precedes the Lent before Easter. Because of its pagan roots all carnival festivities were banned during the dictatorship under General Franco.
Carnival of Villar de Arzobispo (8th – 11th February)
Saturday 10th February is a great day to see the carnival in Villar de Arzobispo, a small town, only 45 minutes by car from Valencia. The main masquerade starts at 4:30 p.m. At 8 p.m you can enjoy the “Correfoc” that lights up the town with lights and colours. The day ends with a firework display at midnight. You can find all the info here.
Carnival of Benimaclet (16th – 17th February)
The carnival starts on Friday 16th February at 6 p.m. with a “fiesta infantil con chocolatada” in the office of the “Asamblea de Vecinos de Benimaclet”. If you would like to participate in the parade on Saturday 17th February you have to confirm your attendance at 9 p.m. in the office. The festivity starts at 10 a.m. the following day in the “Plaza de Benimaclet” and the masquerade takes place on the Masquefa street at 7:30 p.m.
Carnival of Cabanyal (18th February)
On Sunday 18th February the carnival moves to Cabanyal. The society “Sociedad Musical Unión de Pescadores” organizes this carnival in the spirit of the traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras. Come to Colegio Santiago Apóstol (calle Escalante, 329) at 11 a.m. and let yourself get carried away by music, confetti and colours.
Carnival of Ruzafa (24th February)
Finally, on Saturday 24th February at 5 p.m. we will welcome the carnival in our neighbourhood. The festival of Ruzafa is based on the traditions of immigrants, especially Latin Americans, who wear their typical costumes during the show. The parade starts near the park M. Granero and continues to Filipinas, Literato Azorín, Sueca, Denia and Cuba.
