- The program of the traditional fair in July includes proposals of all kinds for children and adults, with theater, magic, jazz, and traditions
- The Viveros concerts will feature Hakuna Group Music, Rosario, Julia Martínez, Los Secretos, and De Rancho
- The fireworks festival Els Focs de la Fira kicks off on Saturday, offering pyrotechnic shows throughout the city
- Mónica Gil: «The proposed activities combine music, culture, traditions, magic, theater, humor, and activities for all ages, promoting participation and enjoyment in an environment that makes Valencia a unique place»
The first weekend of the Great Fair of Valencia, the century-old fair in July that fills the city with leisure and cultural proposals, is full of music, traditions, and fireworks. This year’s edition officially started last Tuesday, the 1st, with a music and aerial dance show in the Town Hall square, and for the weekend, it expands the program with events for all audiences in all parts of Valencia.
Friday’s program will start with activities for children in the El Perellonet district. From 7:00 p.m. at the Marqués de Valterra square, there will be children’s and youth workshops, as well as a ‘kids disco,’ both organized by the Department of Festivities and Traditions. Later, at 10:00 p.m. in the same place, the neighborhood can enjoy the performance of the Valencian band «La Pelona,» with their fusion proposal of ska, rock, punk, and Latin pop.
At 7:30 p.m., the Palau de la Música will host the concert of the Valencia Orchestra with Pacho Flores, as part of the 28th Valencia Jazz Festival. The renowned solo trumpeter, accompanied by the municipal ensemble, will perform a program in the Iturbi Hall, under the direction of Manuel Hernández Silva, with the following repertoire: American in Paris, by George Gershwin; Historias de Flores y Tangos, by Daniel Freiberg; Danzón número 2, by Arturo Márquez; and Labios Vermelhos, by Pacho Flores.
The Fair program also includes different activities for the feast of San Cristóbal, celebrated in the city every July 5th, organized by the Valencian Federation of Transport and Logistics Entrepreneurs (FVET). On this occasion, a commemorative exhibition has been prepared at Tinglado 3 of the Port, which will open its doors at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.
And undoubtedly, the highlight of the day will be the concert of Los Secretos, as part of the Viveros Concerts cycle, at 9:00 p.m. It is one of the most beloved bands in the Spanish scene, visiting Valencia as part of their 2025 tour, after a successful 2024 marked by their musical A tu lado. Un musical con Los Secretos, with which they toured most theaters in Spain to great critical and public acclaim. The Jardines del Real stage will also feature De Rancho on the same day, offering their timeless repertoire of pop rock music beyond labels. And to add to this, the Parque Oeste pool will be open at night with the «Noche Caribbean» event, organized by the Municipal Sports Foundation, starting at 10:00 p.m.
Finally, the program includes the traditional pre-selection ceremonies of the Falleras Mayores of Valencia, organized by the Junta Central Fallera. On Friday at 10:00 p.m., it will be the turn of the sectors Pla del Reial – Benimaclet (north pavilion) and El Carme (south pavilion), both in the Jardines del Palau. These ceremonies will continue over the weekend: On Saturday at the same time, it will be the turn of the Ruzafa A (north pavilion) and Jesús (south pavilion) sectors, both in the Jardines del Palau; Poblats al Sud (Falla Tres Camins. Pinedo demarcation), Rascanya (Falla Músico Espí – Salvador Fabregat demarcation), and Quart de Poblet – Xirivella (Parque de la Amistad – Cristo de Aldaia neighborhood). Finally, on Sunday, it will be the turn of the sectors Olivereta (north pavilion of the Jardines del Palau) and Botànic – La Petxina (south pavilion), starting at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday of music and traditions
Saturday’s day will start in the morning with celebrations around San Cristóbal. At 10:00 a.m., the traditional parade will start from the FVET headquarters on Hernán Cortés street, and at 12:00 p.m., the vehicle blessing will take place at Tinglado 2 of the Port, ending with a mascletà.
In the evening, at the Viveros Concerts, it will be the turn of Hakuna Group Music, a proposal that has already sold out tickets and will perform for their fans starting at 10:00 p.m. The group, which defines themselves as «the world’s largest music group,» seeks to «remind the world of the Truth of Man and the Beauty of Life through music.» They will perform under the slogan «We sing what we live and we live what we sing.» Finally, at 11:00 p.m., the esplanade of the Jardín de Ayora will host the performance of DJ Boccachico.
Saturday’s day will end with the first of the fireworks shows of the Els Focs de la Fira cycle, a proposal of sound, lights, and colors organized by the Department of Fallas, giving all prominence to the Valencian tradition of gunpowder. It takes place every Saturday in July in different locations in the city, and the first show will be presented by the Hermanos Caballer Pirotécnicos company at the Town Hall square. The show will start at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, the 5th.
Sunday of magic, jazz, and theater
On Sunday, the 6th, the day will start with a family show, Magic Mazo. Family magic, which will be offered from 7:30 p.m. at the Mercado de Abastos (Arrancapins).
At the same time, at the Palau de la Música, the 28th Jazz Festival will continue with Andrea Motis’ show titled «Temblor.» It is an «unusual» trio, according to the members themselves, composed of Motis on trumpet and vocals, Christoph Mallinger on violin and mandolin, and Marcelo Woloski on percussion.
The Viveros Concerts of this day will feature the renowned artist Rosario on stage at the Jardines del Real from 9:00 p.m., returning with her new album, «Universo de Ley.» The singer headlines a homonymous tour that summarizes more than three decades of musical career, where she will perform all her greatest hits. In fact, the album she presents on this tour is a tribute to her beginnings, where she has re-recorded her early hits in duet with great world figures of Hispanic music.
Rosario will be accompanied by the singer-songwriter from Albacete, Julia Martínez, an artist whose voice color evokes the power of black and broken voices. A composer since the age of 17, the artist reflects her personality in each song with a character that fuses lyrics with all kinds of sounds, genres, and styles.
The program of this first weekend of the Great Fair will conclude at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday with the theatrical show by Jesús Manzano and Miguel Moraga, Teatro Impro, to be held at the Mercado de Abastos.
The Great Fair will continue its program in the week of July 7th. On Monday, the 7th, Tuesday, the 8th, and Wednesday, the 9th, Devesa-Albufera invites you to enjoy a sunset from the lake, while at the Jardines del Palau, on Monday, there will be the truc, parchís, and domino championship, as well as the staging of the musical adaptation of Pedro Muñoz Seca’s play ‘La venganza de Don Mendo,’ at 10:00 p.m.
On Tuesday the 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jardines del Palau, the ‘Duo Brillantina’ proposes a dance session for seniors, while at 7:30 p.m., the Choir ‘Asociación Cultural Divisi,’ in collaboration with the Federation of Folklore of the Valencian Community, will perform at the Hostal Mesón de Morella. At the same time, Michel Camino & Tomatito will perform at the Iturbi Hall of the Palau de la Música.
From 8:00 p.m., at the Viveros Concerts, three women will take the stage at the Jardines del Real. María José Llergo, Marina Reche, and the Valencian Moni Motes. Shortly after, at 10:00 p.m., a Monologues Gala will be held at the north pavilion of the Jardines del Palau.
The Councilor for Festivities and Traditions, Mónica Gil, highlights the wide range of entertainment and leisure offerings for all audiences. «The activities of this weekend, like the entire program, reflect the festive spirit and tradition that characterize Valencia. We have designed a program that combines music, culture, traditions, magic, theater, humor, and activities for all ages, promoting participation and enjoyment in an environment that makes Valencia a unique place.»
