Nou de Octubre which translates to the 9th of October in the Valencian language is an important holiday in the Valencia region. In true Spanish fashion, the merriment begins a week prior to the big day.
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Nou de Octubre also coincides with the feast of Saint Dionysius (Sant Dionis), more commonly known as “the Areopagite”, the patron saint of lovers. Think of this saint as our Saint Valentine.
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This is from Love Valencia FB page as it shows you what the fair looks like from the top.
What is Nou de Octubre?:
Nou de Octubre is a public holiday in the who Valencian region. It celebrates the day the King James I of Aragon captured the city of Valencia from the Moors in 1238, October 9th to be exact.
How is Nou de Octubre celebrated?: 9th of October events:
The Valencia Senyera flag makes its appearance on the balcony of the Ayutamiento (City Hall) at 11;45am. Rather than being carried out the door, it is lowered from the balcony and in a civic procession, carried to the “Parterre” which is flooded with flowers at the statue of King James. The Valencia anthem is sung proudly, and afterwards, the flag is taken to the History Museum for display.
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The flag of the Valencia region, also known as the Royal Senyera. Wikipedia image
At noon, there is the “masceleta” in front of the city hall. If you’re familiar with our Fallas, you know just how insane the pyrotechnic displays are. They love their fireworks! Loud, intense and very crowded. In fact, there have been fireworks daily leading up to today.
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We are fortunate, or unfortunate to live close to a part of the Turia park where it takes place and have had the pleasure of seeing the displays without moving from our balcony. We are on the third floor and l can only imagine how truly awesome it must be to be to see it from the top floor. Our dogs however, are not loving it too much and like to stay close to us, but they have gotten much better over the years.
At 5pm, there is the parade of the Moors and Christians that moves through three neighbourhoods. We missed it last year due to bad weather, but today looks like a good day, so l think we will try and catch it. Here is what the parade looks like. This is from two years ago.
The patron saint of lovers is not celebrated by giving roses like in the States. Wives and lovers are given Marzipan, a confection that is made from sugar or honey and almond milk and sold as sweets or bread.
These marzipan gifts are usually given wrapped in scarves, which explains why you see scarves hanging at the bakeries in the past week. This is so you can have it wrapped directly. This is known as La Mocaorà de Sant Donis.
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Fruit shaped marzipan given as gifts to lovers and wives. The fruits are fruits and veggies of the Valencia region. This is presented wrapped in handkerchiefs or scarves.
Many stands also give away free samples of marzipan products and the Valencia favourite drink horchata. You can imagine how popular those stands are.
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The week leading up to today has been full of parades and lots and lots of fireworks at midnight, and sometimes during the day. I don’t mind the ones at night because our bedroom is on the other side and the noise still allows us to sleep.
There is so much going on in Valencia. It seems like there is something every other day. We are in the middle of the medieval market at the Towers de Serrano which runs for a few more days.
Hand crafted items are some of the things you can find at this yearly fair. A very family friendly one. Image source.
Of course nothing happens in Valencia without paella, and plenty of it.
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Paella, sausages, beer! What more could you want from life? :-). Photo courtesy of Ketty Delapana.
A lot of the government offices are also open to the general public free of charge for about a week before the 9th of October. They are actually cool to visit and we did last year but l am too lazy to look for pictures. It’s pretty cool because most of them used to be palaces so the furnishings and decor is pretty amazing.
You know we are absolutely loving life in Valencia. We have made really good friends and continue to enjoy the festivities that occur on a regular basis. If you’re ready for your expat life in Spain, make sure to get your copy of our guide on Amazon which walks you through the steps so you can start enjoying life in the sun sooner.
Here are some images from the parade:
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This guy is pretty talented and was a favourite.
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The horse on the right was pretty good with his moves.
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I can’t believe we were able to get these pictures because we were way in the back.
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I was even able to grab a pic with one of the guys on their way. Good day out.
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These women were so stylish in their Moors costumes.
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Even the kids were in on the parade. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Anything happening in your neck of the woods? Oh yeah.. Halloween is coming up isn’t it? How are you preparing for it?
10 thoughts on “Nou de Octubre Holiday In Valencia”
Hi Kemkem and greetings from New York City! My wife and I have recently “discovered” VLC. We spent a week there over Christmas and 3 weeks there in September. ¡Maravillosa! We appreciate your insights about life there. Thanks! (p.s. my b-day is 9th of Oct so this post is especially fun 🙂
Hello! Oh how nice to hear from you on your very special day! Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a most excellent day, and many happy returns. Valencia is certainly putting on a show for you :-). I am so glad you enjoyed your visit to Valencia. Hope you plan on returning at some point. Thanks for the comment, and enjoy your birthday .
This looks like a lot of fun – and I would definitely say that being next to the Turia park is an advantage, especially if you also have a room facing away from the potential noise. I love marzipan and those marzipan fruits look like real pieces of art. Really great stuff – I’m sure that this would’ve been one Spanish holiday that I would’ve enjoyed a lot! I mean… October, yet still t-shirt weather, great costumes and entertaining parade, handmade goodies, street food AND marzipan. Can’t ask for more 🙂
I think yesterday was the last perfect day! Today is pretty crappy so far and l think finally summer has left us for good this time. It’s great having the bedroom in the back and away from the noise. It makes a big difference, especially to the dogs as the sounds are muffled.
I have yet to try the marzipan. I think l’ve had it before, but l couldn’t tell you if l liked it or not :-). I will have to try it again to make sure, but it does look delicious.
I think you would have enjoyed the parade too. It was a lot of fun and definitely warm. I was already a bit heated in my 3/4 sleeve tee shirt. Nope! You can not ask of more :-).
The Spanish certainly know how to throw a good fiesta. That paella looked so delicious, I can see why you are loving life in Valencia…what is not to like? it is a gorgeous and fun city. Sounds like you are feeling very happy and settled there now, how is your Spanish coming along?
Yes they do! It’s always something :-). We are definitely loving it here, more and more daily. I guess third time was the charm for us city wise. My Spanish is getting a bit better. I was sorely disappointed that l didn’t get into the beginner Spanish class offered at the University that is about three minute walk from me. It’s a lottery system and l was not picked. 4th on waiting list and only one person dropped out. It was such a good price too.
I’ll keep talking to people, like this Brazilian woman at the gym who refuses to stop speaking to me. She’s like it took me six years, don’t ever stop. Don’t you think they would have the same problem if they went to an English speaking country etc.etc.. it’s so cute :-). Now that the gym has started up for classes again at this new one closer to the house, I am starting to make eye contact and hopefully will get to practise more.
Kem, very helpful post – now I know where to go next year. There was also a battle reenactment between the Moors and the Spaniards in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento last Sunday.
Thanks Kris. Yeah, there are so many events going on over the course of the week, it’s almost too much :-). Thank goodness the weather cooperated because last year was so rainy we skipped that day. Next year l hope to catch the reenactment too.
Hi Kemkem and greetings from New York City! My wife and I have recently “discovered” VLC. We spent a week there over Christmas and 3 weeks there in September. ¡Maravillosa! We appreciate your insights about life there. Thanks! (p.s. my b-day is 9th of Oct so this post is especially fun 🙂
Hello! Oh how nice to hear from you on your very special day! Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a most excellent day, and many happy returns. Valencia is certainly putting on a show for you :-). I am so glad you enjoyed your visit to Valencia. Hope you plan on returning at some point. Thanks for the comment, and enjoy your birthday .
This looks like a lot of fun – and I would definitely say that being next to the Turia park is an advantage, especially if you also have a room facing away from the potential noise. I love marzipan and those marzipan fruits look like real pieces of art. Really great stuff – I’m sure that this would’ve been one Spanish holiday that I would’ve enjoyed a lot! I mean… October, yet still t-shirt weather, great costumes and entertaining parade, handmade goodies, street food AND marzipan. Can’t ask for more 🙂
I think yesterday was the last perfect day! Today is pretty crappy so far and l think finally summer has left us for good this time. It’s great having the bedroom in the back and away from the noise. It makes a big difference, especially to the dogs as the sounds are muffled.
I have yet to try the marzipan. I think l’ve had it before, but l couldn’t tell you if l liked it or not :-). I will have to try it again to make sure, but it does look delicious.
I think you would have enjoyed the parade too. It was a lot of fun and definitely warm. I was already a bit heated in my 3/4 sleeve tee shirt. Nope! You can not ask of more :-).
The Spanish certainly know how to throw a good fiesta. That paella looked so delicious, I can see why you are loving life in Valencia…what is not to like? it is a gorgeous and fun city. Sounds like you are feeling very happy and settled there now, how is your Spanish coming along?
Yes they do! It’s always something :-). We are definitely loving it here, more and more daily. I guess third time was the charm for us city wise. My Spanish is getting a bit better. I was sorely disappointed that l didn’t get into the beginner Spanish class offered at the University that is about three minute walk from me. It’s a lottery system and l was not picked. 4th on waiting list and only one person dropped out. It was such a good price too.
I’ll keep talking to people, like this Brazilian woman at the gym who refuses to stop speaking to me. She’s like it took me six years, don’t ever stop. Don’t you think they would have the same problem if they went to an English speaking country etc.etc.. it’s so cute :-). Now that the gym has started up for classes again at this new one closer to the house, I am starting to make eye contact and hopefully will get to practise more.
Kem, very helpful post – now I know where to go next year. There was also a battle reenactment between the Moors and the Spaniards in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento last Sunday.
Thanks Kris. Yeah, there are so many events going on over the course of the week, it’s almost too much :-). Thank goodness the weather cooperated because last year was so rainy we skipped that day. Next year l hope to catch the reenactment too.
Learning a new language takes time, you will get there…never give up 😄
Thanks for the encouragement :-). Never give up, never surrender is my motto.