Valencia has just bid a thunderous, smoke-filled farewell to Fallas 2026. As the echoes of the final mascletà fade and the scent of gunpowder lingers over the Turia, the city is already catching its breath from what has been an extraordinary year for the world’s most famous fire festival.
The 19th of March, the feast of San José, is always a day of mixed emotions—immense pride, frantic energy, and that inevitable touch of lloranza (nostalgia) as the towering monuments are reduced to ash. But before the torches were lit for the Cremà, all eyes were on the leaderboard to see who would take home the most coveted trophies in Spanish art.
The Big Winners: Convento Jerusalén Triumphs Again
In the Sección Especial—the "Premier League" of Fallas, where budgets reach into the hundreds of thousands—the competition was fiercer than ever.
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First Prize: Falla Convento Jerusalén-Matemático Marzal has once again been crowned the king of Valencia. Their monument, titled "Redimonis" and designed by the visionary David Sánchez Llongo, blew the judges away with its sheer scale and intricate depiction of mythological demons and fauns. This marks their 19th victory in the top category and an incredible fourth consecutive win.
In the Sección Especial Infantil (Children’s Category), the top honour went to Falla Espartero-Gran Vía Ramón y Cajal. Their artist, Zvonimir Ostoic (Zeta), created a whimsical masterpiece that not only won the first prize but also saw its central ninot (figure) voted as the Ninot Indultat—the only piece of the monument saved from the flames to live forever in the Fallas Museum.
The Night of the Cremà: Burning it All Down
The final day followed the traditional, heart-pounding rhythm that makes Valencia the place to be in March. After a final, bone-shaking mascletà at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2:00 PM, the city transitioned into the Cabalgata del Fuego (Fire Parade) at 7:00 PM—a spectacular display of correfocs (fire-runners) and sparks.
Then came the moment everyone waits for: La Cremà.
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8:00 PM: The children’s fallas were the first to go, a bitter-sweet moment for the younger falleros.
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10:30 PM: A massive crowd gathered to watch the winning Convento Jerusalén monument go up in flames.
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11:00 PM: The festival officially concluded with the burning of the Municipal Falla in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, accompanied by a final, staggering fireworks display by Pirotecnia Hnos. Caballer.
A Bit of Controversy
It wouldn't be Fallas without a little drama! This year, the Cuba-Literato Azorín commission made headlines after finishing 9th in the Special Section. They issued a formal complaint against their artist, claiming the final structure didn't match the ambitious designs they were promised. It’s a reminder of just how much passion (and money) goes into these ephemeral works of art.
Planning for 2027? If you missed out this year, it’s never too early to start looking at accommodation. Just remember: in Valencia, the party never really stops—the commissions are likely already meeting to plan next year's monuments!