Mascletà Valencia Today: The 'Bercian Earthquake' Rocks the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The Valencia sky woke up with that typical March humidity, but it's cleared up nicely now. And that means one thing: today's mascletà, Friday 6th March, is a dead cert. At 2pm on the dot, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento will shake to 450 seconds of gunpowder from the León-based pyrotechnic company, Pibierzo. The buzz is unreal, and here's why: they're bringing their famous 'Bercian earthquake' and are promising to get everyone moving. With 131.35 kilos of gunpowder, the blend of pounding rhythm and aerial effects is going to be absolutely savage.
The return of the earthquake that won over Valencia
Pibierzo are no strangers to this. Since 2015, the team from El Bierzo have been leaving their mark on the Fallas, and this year they've cooked up a sequel to their hit 'Bercian earthquake in the Valencian sky'. Those who've had a sneak peek at the design say it kicks off with a colourful aerial cascade, then gets straight down to business: a classic ground-level section with six retenciones (those rhythmic pauses) that'll hit you right in the chest. And the finale? A double earthquake: one on the ground and one in the air. So, if you've got a weak heart, you might want to cover your ears and just feast your eyes.
It's all happening in the usual spot, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and my advice is, if you want a decent spot, you should be heading over 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, the silence just before the first shot. That, my friend, is priceless.
What's in store this weekend: a quick guide to the mascletaes
But it doesn't stop here. This is the first big weekend and the gunpowder schedule is so packed you'll need a map. Here's my cheat sheet so you don't miss a single dry shot:
- Friday 6th, 2:00pm: Pirotecnia Pibierzo. The main event of the day. The 'Bercian earthquake' 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're closing out the weekend with 'Diumenge de mascletà', true to their classic Mediterranean style.
And by night, more gunpowder: three firework displays in a row
As if that wasn't enough, the nights are ours too. Three consecutive firework displays to keep the party going into the early hours. Jot this down, so you can't complain later that you missed out:
- Friday 6th, 11:59pm: 'Magic and colour in the square.' Pibierzo again, this time lighting up the sky.
- Saturday 7th, 11:59pm: 'The magic of colour.' Handled by Pirotecnia Tomás.
- Sunday 8th, 8:00pm: 'The magic of gunpowder.' Pirotecnia Nadal Martí. And at 8:45pm, at the Mossén Sorell-Corona commission, the 'Pólvora a la Vespra' festival with Pirotecnia Vulcano.
Getting around during Fallas: the metro will save your life
Driving into the city centre these days is absolute madness. Luckily, Metrovalencia have stepped up and are boosting services all weekend. If you live outside the centre or are visiting, this is for you:
- Getting to the mascletà: Saturday and Sunday, between 12:30pm and 3:00pm, more trains 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 hassle.
- Getting home at night: Tonight and tomorrow night, the night service is running as usual. Perfect for when the midnight fireworks and street parties finish up.
So there you have it. If you're in Valencia, at two in the afternoon, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes on the sky. Pibierzo's 'Bercian earthquake' isn't a rehearsal; it's the first of the big shocks of these Fallas 2026. Let the earth shake – with pleasure.