Fiestas and traditions of València

The shortest night of the year is celebrated on Valencia's beaches with bonfires, night swims and rituals to welcome the summer. Tradition calls for jumping seven waves backwards for a year of good health. The City Council hands out firewood and bonfires are only allowed in Malva-rosa and Cabanyal.

Known as the Festa Grossa, it is one of the city's oldest traditions, with 700 years of history. It mixes the religious and the popular with the Rocas (monumental floats), els Gegants i Cabuts, the traditional dances and the Cabalgata del Convite. The street events are free to access.

An indie and pop music festival held next to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, with more than 24 hours of music on two stages. It brings together national and international artists and rounds off the line-up with design markets, food trucks and a children's area. It is a paid event requiring a ticket or pass.

Alicante's great fire festival, a Festival of International Tourist Interest, in which satirical monuments are set up and burned on the Nit de la Cremà of 24 June. It includes mascletàs, a flower offering and the fire palm tree launched from Santa Bárbara castle.

The city's great summer festival, with hundreds of activities across neighbourhoods and districts. Highlights include the Viveros concerts, the Battle of Flowers on the Alameda and the Saturday firework displays. Most street events are free.

The world's biggest tomato fight, in which more than 20,000 people throw some 120,000 kilos of tomatoes through the streets of Buñol for one hour. It is a Festival of International Tourist Interest and requires a paid ticket; places sell out fast.

Public holiday commemorating King Jaume I's entry into València in 1238. In the capital, the Senyera is lowered from the Town Hall balcony and carried in a civic procession to the Parterre. The Mocadorà is traditional, in which lovers give each other marzipan sweets wrapped in a handkerchief.

València's most important Mediterranean film festival, screening feature films, shorts and documentaries from across the Mediterranean basin. Tickets are very cheap, around 2.50€ for a general admission.

One of the fastest marathons in the world, with a flat course at sea level and ideal temperatures in December. It brings together thousands of amateur runners and the world elite. Running requires registration, but cheering from the streets is free.

València's biggest festival, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The falla committees build cardboard and wooden monuments that are burned on the Nit de la Cremà of 19 March. It includes daily mascletàs, the Flower Offering to the Virgin and firework displays.

Castelló's founding festival, a Festival of International Tourist Interest, commemorating the city's move to the plain in 1251. Highlights include the Romería de les Canyes, the Gaiates parade and the mascletà. It is nine days with more than 200 street events, almost all of them free.

The Holy Week of València's maritime neighbourhoods, a Festival of National Tourist Interest, with nearly 80 processions organised by some 30 brotherhoods. It combines religious acts with seafaring traditions such as the burning of Judas. Access is free along the streets of Cabanyal.

Every Thursday at midday, eight syndics dressed in the black smock of the farmer settle the irrigation disputes of the huerta orally and in Valencian. It is one of the oldest courts of justice in Europe and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The session is public, free and lasts just a few minutes.

The city's big weekly flea market brings together more than 500 stalls of second-hand goods, antiques, vinyl, books and curiosities. It is best to arrive early and bring cash, because almost no one accepts cards. It is easy to reach by tram up to Beteró.

As evening falls, the traditional boats set out from El Palmar to sail across the lake while the sky turns orange and the birds return to the reedbeds. The trip lasts about 50 minutes and costs around 7 euros. One of the most magical plans near the city.

Cold tiger nut horchata served with freshly baked fartons is the quintessential Valencian afternoon snack, above all in the hot months. The tiger nut is grown in the huerta of Alboraya, cradle of historic horchata parlours. Dipping the fluffy farton into the horchata is a ritual every visitor should try.