Las Fallas festival welcomes spring to Valencia, Spain
In mid-March Valencia, Spain, revels in the festival of Las Fallas. The festival is a celebration the waning days of winter and the arrival of spring. Know as the feast of Saint Joseph, the city is given over to a carnival of bonfires, fiesta, fireworks and bullfights.
- Falleras dressed up in traditonal costume prepare to present flowers to Saint Mary in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- A woman poses next to a Falla depicting German Cancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- A woman walks past a Falla in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- People walk past a Falla in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- People dressed in traditional costume work at the base of a large model of Saint Mary covered with flowers in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Daniel Luque (C) puts on his costume with help from his assistants before a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla pauses for a moment before a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- A bullfighter performs during a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival on March 19, 2013 in Valencia, Spain. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- People react during the 19th ‘Mascleta’, an explosive barrage of firecrackers and fireworks celebrating the arrival of the Spring in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival celebrates the arrival of spring. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Daniel Luque performs during a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Juan Jose Padilla (R) puts on his costume with help from his assitants before a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- People react during the 19th ‘Mascleta’, an explosive barrage of firecrackers and fireworks celebrating the arrival of the Spring in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made by large puppets named Ninots. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Falleras dressed in traditonal costume during a procession to deliver flowers to Saint Mary in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large ninots (puppets). ((David Ramos/Getty Images)
- A bullfighter performs during a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival on March 18, 2013 in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large Ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Miguel Angel Perera performs during a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival n Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring with fireworks, fiestas and bonfires made from large Ninots (puppets). (David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Bullfighter Juan Jose Padill performs during a bullfight as part of the Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain. The Fallas festival, which runs from March 15 until March 19, celebrates the arrival of spring. (David Ramos/Getty Images)