Your First Weekend in Valencia: What to Do from February 20-22, 2026
If you've just arrived in Valencia or are about to, there's one thing you need to understand quickly: this city never sleeps. Any given weekend has more plans than you can physically do, and that, when you're trying to get to know your new home, is the best possible news. Here's what's happening this weekend and why it's worth getting out there.
La Crida: Valencia officially ignites the Fallas festivities
Admission: Free
📍 Torres de Serranos and Plaza del Ayuntamiento
📅 February 22, 2026 — Macrodespertà (07:30h) · Mascletà (14:00h) · Crida (19:30h)
If you've read our article about Fallas, this Sunday marks the official start. La Crida is the act where the Fallera Mayors (main Fallas queens) call upon the Fallas community from the Torres de Serranos, and the city literally explodes with emotion.
But Sunday doesn't start at 19:30h – it begins at 7:30 in the morning with the Macrodespertà, a human alarm with firecrackers that goes through the city center. Then at 14:00h the "mascletà" (firecracker display) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and in the evening the fire show at the Torres de Serranos.
If it's your first week in Valencia, this Sunday is perfect for understanding the city you've just landed in. Go without rushing, stay around the Torres from early on, and let yourself be carried away. Everything is free.
Exhibition of the Ninot: Fallas art you can vote for
Admission: General €4 · Reduced €2
📍 Museu de les Ciències, Valencia
📅 Until March 15, 2026 — Monday to Thursday 10:00–20:00h · Weekends until 21:00h
The Museu de les Ciències houses over 700 figures ("ninots") that are part of the Fallas throughout the city. The public can vote on which one is "indultado" – that is, which one is saved from the flames on March 19.
For newcomers, it's the most comfortable way to see Fallas art up close without the chaos of the main Fallas week itself. You can take your time, understand the satire, and vote for your favorite. For €4, it's a perfect plan for a Saturday morning.
Benimaclet Carnival: the neighborhood that parties the most
Admission: Free
📍 Barrio de Benimaclet (C/ Masquefa 5 and adjacent streets)
📅 Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2026 — Friday: Correbars from 17:00h · Correfoc 23:00h — Saturday: Grand Parade 19:00h · Fireworks display 22:00h
Benimaclet is one of those neighborhoods you absolutely have to get to know when you arrive in Valencia. Bohemian, student-filled, full of atmosphere. This weekend it has its own carnival with fire, music, and plenty of local ingenuity.
Why do I particularly recommend it to newcomers and expats? Because Benimaclet has a very active international community and is a neighborhood where you'll feel comfortable from day one. This weekend is the perfect excuse to explore it.
Chinese New Year in Torrent: don't let distance deter you
Admission: Free
📍 Plaza Unió Musical and Avenida del Vedat, Torrent
📅 Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Activities from 12:00h · Parade 18:00h · Raffle 20:00h
Torrent is 20 minutes from Valencia by metro, and this Sunday it celebrates the Lunar New Year with a parade, dragons, music, and food trucks. As an expat, you know well what it means to celebrate something from a different culture in a foreign land, and that atmosphere is always warm and open.
Always enriching plans
Valencia Flea Market (Rastro)
Admission: Free
📍 Avenida Tarongers, Valencia
📅 Every Sunday, 9:00–14:00h
A second-hand market where you can find everything. When you're new and furnishing your home, this is an essential classic.
Andrea Canepa Exhibition at the IVAM
Admission: General €5 · Free on Wednesdays from 16:00 to 19:00h and all day Sundays
📍 IVAM (Guillem de Castro, 118, Valencia)
📅 Until April 12, 2026
The Valencian Institute of Modern Art hosts an immersive installation by the artist Andrea Canepa, which reflects on how the physical environment shapes our perception of time. Quite symbolic for someone who has just completely changed their environment, isn't it? And Sundays are free.
One last thing
When you arrive in a new city, the temptation is to stay home for the first few weekends until you "get organized." I understand, there are a thousand things to sort out: paperwork, the apartment, the bank, getting to know the neighborhood. But Valencia has something few cities have: the street is always alive, and the best way to feel part of this place is to go out and experience it.
Do you have doubts about how to get around, which neighborhoods to explore, or how to process your paperwork while enjoying all of this? At Raíces Valencia, we are here to support you in that part too, the one that doesn't appear in any weekend agenda.
Have you recently arrived in Valencia or are you planning your move? Contact us and we'll tell you how we can help you settle in smoothly.