July Fair (Feria de Julio) [July]
 In
the end of July and August the population of Valencia runs off into the
hills to escape the heat and humidity. Over a hundred years ago they used
to run off in the beginning of July. The Feria de Julio (Fair of July)
was introduced by the city government in 1870s to keep the population
within the walls. Bread and spectacles.
July is the liveliest month in Valencia. It is a final catharsis of the
summer frenzy, before everyone goes into August hibernation. Valencia
in July is full of cultural events and all kinds of parties.
The Feria de Julio (July Fair) is the official side of this phenomenon.
It is the Valencian government's cultural programme to entertain the people
and keep them from running off too early. It is, essentially, a month
of various concerts, theatre, open air cinema, traditional fiestas, sports
events and bullfighting. However, this is by far not all, and many other
privately organised events will take place.
All of the events take place in Valencia's many green spaces. Parks,
gardens, the Turia river, the beach. Everything that happens during Feria
de Julio you can enjoy in the open air, in the lush Mediterranean evening.
Feria de Julio
Programme:
You can obtain the full programme of events in one of the Tourist
Offices
 Concerts
The Feria de Julio hosts a number of quality concerts with international
names. For example, July 2006 saw The Wailers (Bob Marley's band), Bob
Dylan, a bossa nova veteran Toquinho and Alan Parsons Project, plus many
others from blues to flamenco to rock, culminating with two big compilation
concerts of the regional rock circuit and the culture magazine Vulture.
All the big concerts take place in Jardin
de Viveros (Jardines de Real) which is the prime venue for open air
concerts in Valencia.
These events are not free, do try to buy tickets in advance. Here is
one good place to buy them online:
www.ticktackticket.com
Traditional
Music
They call Valencia the Vienna of Spain. July will have plenty of places
to enjoy traditional Spanish orchestras - mainly wind and percussion.
The city parks (Parque de Benicalap, Parque del Oeste, Jardin de Ayora)
and the Bullring
will be the location for those.
Fiestas
Valencia also has a couple of traditional culture events in July. As
usual, quite a spectacle in full colours. You can read more about those
here >>>>>
Dance
and Theatre
There is also an opportunity to see various dance shows and theatre,
from traditional Valencian folk to contemporary ballet. There are shows
both for adults and for kids. The usual location for dance and theatre
during the Feria de Julio is Jardin de Ayora.
Open
Air Cinema
The parks of Oeste, Benicalap and Ayora will have evening viewings of
Hollywood blockbusters, some of which are a few years old and some are
fairly fresh releases.
Fireworks
Every July Saturday at midnight you can enjoy the castillo (visual fireworks)
on the Arenas (
Multimap Map) beach. The fireworks are an art form in Valencia and
the local pyrotechnic crews are known world-wide, supplying such events
as Olympics and New Year's Eve. It is worth making your way down to the
beach to see them.
Bullfighting
July is also one of the bullfighting seasons in Valencia. There will
be various bullfighting events in Plaza de Toros. You can read more about
it in our bullfighting section.
Sports
Events
A number of sports events will take place at the city beach. July 2006
had tournaments of triatlon, beach football, beach rugby, swimming across
the port and beach volleyball.
Palau
de la Musica
For lovers of classical music, jazz and flamenco, Palau
de la Musica will be as lively in July as ever.
Feria de Julio
Programme:
You can obtain the full programme of events in one of the Tourist
Offices
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