Las Fallas

Las Fallas, which means “the fires,” is a 5-day, city-wide celebration in Valencia, Spain. During this annual fiesta people create and destroy giant puppets, or ninots, designed to poke fun at corrupt politicians and Spanish celebrities. The puppets are set ablaze on March 18th at midnight, the day known as La Crema. Other activities include bullfights, parades, and paella contests around the city.

Many believe the Fallas festival had its start in the Middle Ages, when carpenters disposed of the scrap pieces of wood they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring equinox.