Arts Festivals in Valencia, Spain

When they're not taking part in pyrotechnic shenanigans or elaborate processions, valencianos can be found reveling in their city's celebrated cultural scene. With all sorts of arts festivals - music, art, theater, film, dance- lined up throughout the year, Valencia's already jam-packed agenda offers up enough to satisfy and delight even the most demanding culture vulture.

Music Festivals

• RockEnFallas
  When: March (with Las Fallas)
  Where: Falla Els Generals (c/ General Lloréns)
  What: Up and coming groups of various genres - pop, latino, rock, acoustic, heavy metal, etc. - looking for the opportunity to perform live in front of a crowd
  Official Website: www.rockenfallas.com (in Spanish)
• Certamen Internacional de Bandas de Música
  (International Band Competition)
  When: March (with Las Fallas)
  Where: Palau de Música, Plaza de Toros
  What: International competition of brass bands
  Official Website: www.cibm-valencia.com (in Valenciano, Spanish, English)
• Foc in Festival
  When: March (with Las Fallas)
  Where: Jungle
  What: Independent and alternative music performances as well as other artistic tendencies like graffiti, exhibits, etc.
  Official Website: www.focin.com
• Festival Internacional de Música Antigua
  (International Festival of Ancient Music)
  When: Monthly performances between April and December
  Where: La Lonja
  What: Traditional music
• Burjarock
  When: June
  Where: Campo de Fútbol del Polideportivo de Burjassot (Burjassot Sports Complex's Football Field)
  What: National and international punk rock bands
• Jornadas Internacionales de Guitarra de Valencia
  (Valencian International Guitar Sessions)
  When: June
  Where: Universitat and Palau de la Música
  What: Activities and concerts featuring the guitar
• Jazz Panorama
  When: July
  Where: Auditorio de Torrent (Torrent, Valencia)
  What: Jazz and blues
  Official Website: www.auditoritorrent.com (in Spanish, Valenciano, English)
• Festival de Jazz del Palau de la Música de Valencia
  When: July
  Where: Palau de la Música
  What: Jazz
  Official Website: www.palaudevalencia.com (in Spanish, Valenciano)
• Classical Music in July
  When: July
  Where: Antigua Universidad (Former University)
  What: Classical music
• Apuesta 07
  When: August
  Where: Stages along the Playa del Arenal
  What: Up and coming musicians who don't yet have representation or don't have records in the works yet
• Operalia
  When: October
  Where: Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía
  What: International opera competition arranged by the Operalia Associotion under the management of Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo
  Official Website: www.operalia.org (in English)

Theater Festivals

• VEO - Festival Valencia Escena Oberta
  When: February
  Where: Streets, bridges, plazas, metro stations, bus stops and theater venues throughout city
  What: Theater
  Official Website: www.festivalveo.com (in Spanish, Valenciano, English)
• Festival de Pequeño Teatro Radio City
  (Radio City Small Theater Festival)
  When: October-November
  Where: Radio City (c/ Santa Teresa, 19)
  What: Vanguard theater: comedy, satire, drama, musical, pantomime, circus, improvisation
  Official Website: www.radiocityvalencia.com (in Spanish)

Film Festivals

• Festival de Cortometrajes Radio City
  (Radio City Short Film Festival)
  When: May-June
  Where: Radio City (c/ Santa Teresa, 19)
  What: Spanish short films
  Official Website: www.radiocityvalencia.com (in Spanish)
• Festival Internacional de Cine Cinema Jove
  (International Festival of Young Filmmakers)
  When: June
  Where: Cultural centers throughout the city, especially the Mercado Internacional del Cortometraje
  What: Up and coming international filmmakers, full-length and short films
  Official Website: www.cinemajovefilmfest.com (in Spanish, English)
• La Filmoteca d'Estiu
  When: July-September
  Where: Palau de la Música gardens
  What: Open-air film festival open-air film festival featuring cult and classic films
  Official Website: www.ivac-lafilmoteca.es (in Spanish)
• Mostra de Valencia - Cinema del Mediterrani
  (Mediterranean Cinema Festival)
  When: October
  Where: Various locales: Cines UGC Ciné Cité, Fundación Municipal de Cine, Paseo de la Mostra, Museo de la Ciudad, Instituto Francés de Valencia
  What: Competitions, conferences, and film series focusing on Mediterranean cinema
  Official Website: www.mostravalencia.com (in Spanish)

Other Arts Festivals

• Dansa València
  (Valencia Dance)
  When: April-May
  Where: Teatro Principal
  What: Dance troupes from throughout Spain
  Official Website: teatres.gva.es
• Feria del Libro de Valencia
  (Valencia Book Fair)
  When: April-May)
  Where: Jardines de Viveros
  What: Book fair: buying and selling books, readings, conferences, workshops, etc.
  Official Website: www.firallibre.com (in Valenciano, Spanish)
• Observatori - Festival Internacional de Investigación Artística
  (International Festival of Artistic Investigation)
  When: May
  Where: Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe
  What: Contemporary art
  Official Website: www.observatori.com (in Spanish, English)
• Festival de las Naciones
  (Festival of Nations)
  When: June
  Where: Turia riverbed and Promenade of the City of Arts and Sciences
  What: Multicultural festival featuring music, dance, gastronomy...
  Official Website: www.festival-naciones.es (in Spanish)
• Festival Internacional de Pirotecnia
  (International Festival of Pyrotechnics)
  When: October 6-8
  Festival Description: Giant fireworks competition and festival
• Biennial de Valencia
  When: September-November
  Where: Different space chosen each year
  What: A tribute to the arts: dance, music, cinematography, folklore, concerts, fashion, architecture, design, photography, advertising, mass media, etc.
  Official Website: www.bienaldevalencia.com (in Spanish, Valenciano, English)