Paterna Festivities

Paterna runs almost two weeks of fiestas, from 20 August to 1 September, with concerts, parades, children's events, processions and fireworks. The centrepiece is the Cordà, the pyrotechnic tradition the town is known for. Exact dates and times for each act, the Cordà included, come from the official programme — not from whatever is circulating on social media.

What a cordà is

Not a firework display watched from a distance. A cordà is a street closed off and lined with protective barriers in which trained participants set off large numbers of rockets at close quarters; the public watches from behind the protection, and it happens in the middle of the night rather than the evening. It is far louder than any recording suggests, so bring ear protection.

Going: dress for it

• Cotton, long sleeves and long trousers. Synthetic fabric melts on contact with a spark.
• Closed shoes, and a cap or hood.
• Eye protection if you plan to stand close to the barrier.
• Arrive early and stay put — the streets fill long before the announced time.

Getting there, and the town by day

Paterna adjoins València to the north-west and sits on the Metrovalencia network, with several lines and stops depending on which part of town you want; it is a short ride from the centre. Check whether extra services run on the main nights and when the last one leaves. Driving is the worst option: the old centre closes to traffic. By day, Paterna has its Moorish tower and a quarter of cave houses cut into the hillside. See getting around, our fiesta calendar, August in València and summer festivals.