Today's Mascletà in Valencia: The 'Bercian Thunder' Shakes the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Valencia has woken up to the typical March humidity, but it's now clear skies. And that means one thing: today's mascletà, Friday 6th March, is definitely going ahead. At 2pm sharp, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento will tremble through 450 seconds of fireworks from the León-based pyrotechnics company, Pibierzo. The anticipation is huge, and here's why: they're bringing their famous 'terremoto berciano' (Bercian thunder) and promising to get everyone moving. With 131.35 kilos of gunpowder, the blend of powerful rhythm and aerial effects is going to be absolutely incredible.
The return of the thunder that conquered Valencia
Pibierzo are no strangers to this. Since 2015, the team from El Bierzo have been making their mark on the Fallas, and this year they've prepared a second instalment of their successful 'Terremoto berciano en el cielo valenciano' (Bercian thunder in the Valencian sky). Those who've had a sneak peek at the design tell me it kicks off with an aerial cascade of colour and sound, then gets straight down to business: a classic ground-shaking section with six pauses that'll hit you right in the chest. And the finale, listen to this, is a double thunderclap: one on the ground and one in the air. Honestly, if you've got a weak heart, you'd better cover your ears and just keep your eyes wide open.
The meeting point is the usual spot, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and my advice is, if you want a good spot, start making your way there now. The atmosphere half an hour before is a show in itself: the falleras mayores waiting on the balcony, the hum of the crowd, and then, suddenly, silence just before the first detonation. That, my friend, is priceless.
What's in store this weekend: a quick guide to the mascletaes
But it doesn't stop there. This is the first big weekend and the fireworks schedule is so packed you'll need a roadmap. Here's my cheat sheet so you don't miss a single thunderclap:
- Friday 6th, 2:00pm: Pirotecnia Pibierzo. The main event of the day. The 'Bercian thunder' in all its glory.
- Saturday 7th, 2:00pm: Pirotecnia Nadal Martí. They're putting on 'In memoriam...', which promises to be an emotional and powerful tribute.
- Sunday 8th, 2:00pm: Pirotecnia Martí. They'll close the weekend with 'Diumenge de mascletà', staying true to their Mediterranean style.
And by night, more fireworks: three displays in a row
As if that wasn't enough, the nights are ours too. Three consecutive firework displays to keep the party going until the early hours. Take note, so you can't complain later that you missed out:
- Friday 6th, 11:59pm: 'Magia y color en la plaza' (Magic and colour in the square). Pibierzo again, this time lighting up the sky.
- Saturday 7th, 11:59pm: 'La magia del color' (The magic of colour). Handled by Pirotecnia Tomás.
- Sunday 8th, 8:00pm: 'La magia de la pólvora' (The magic of gunpowder). Pirotecnia Nadal Martí. And at 8:45pm, at the Mossén Sorell-Corona commission, the 'Pólvora a la Vespra' (Gunpowder on the Eve) festival with Pirotecnia Vulcano.
Getting around during Fallas: the metro is a lifesaver
Driving into the city centre these days is absolute madness. Luckily, Metrovalencia have stepped up and are providing extra services all weekend. If you live outside the centre or are visiting, this is for you:
- For getting to the mascletà: Saturday and Sunday, between 12:30pm and 3:00pm, more trains heading into the centre. Lines 1, 2 and 9 will have extra units running from 10:30am to 9:00pm.
- Double trams: All trams will be running with double carriages. More space, less crowding.
- Getting home at night: Both tonight and on Saturday night, the night service is running as usual. Perfect for when the midnight firework displays and street parties finish.
So there you have it. If you're in Valencia, at two in the afternoon, feet on the ground, eyes to the sky. Pibierzo's 'Bercian thunder' isn't a rehearsal; it's the first of the major tremors of Fallas 2026. Let the ground shake, but with delight.