Discover the route of the nativity scenes

The Association of Nativity Makers of Valencia assembles this spectacular crèche, which can be visited from December 1 to January 4, 2024. It consists of more than 300 figures, 250 animals and over 400 handmade accessories, such as baskets, jars, palm trees, carpenter and blacksmith tools, carts and fountains, all in a 45-square-meter area. 

The Crystal Room in Valencia's City Hall is the setting for this traditional crèche, which this year joins in commemorating the ‘Year of Sorolla’, marking the centenary of the Valencian painter's death.

This scene pays tribute to the artist Joaquín Sorolla and the artistic legacy he left to the city of Valencia. It is inspired by the work of the renowned Valencian painter, with warm colors and other details, such as representations of seaside scenes and evocations of light and color in Sorolla’s impressionist style. 

This life-size manger is located in front of the town hall balcony. It is a Greco-Latin portal in which the ox, the mule and the star of Bethlehem complement the traditional scene, consisting of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the Child, the work of fallas artist José Puche. 

Starting December 1, it will be part of the scenery in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and during the Three Kings Parade on January 5, the three wise men will stop in front of the crèche to recreate the Adoration.
 

Also large, the nativity scene in the Mercado de Colón and the great fir tree give a Christmas feel to one of the chicest meeting points in the city. Enjoy its climate-controlled terraces and interesting range of cuisine. Take the opportunity to stroll through the stalls of the Christmas market, and one for nativity scenes, and round out yours with the figurine of your choice.

The life-size figures are made by the Association of Fallas Artists. A depiction of the birth of Jesus, the Magi, the shepherds, and the angel can be seen and visited at its outdoor location in Plaza de la Reina.

What's unique about this crèche is that it has scenes scattered throughout the church of San Juan del Hospital in Valencia. The main group is in the chapel of the confessionals, but there are many more.

They were designed mainly with girls and boys in mind, who are invited to don their detective hats and take part in a contest.

What do they have to do?

They have to pay close attention and identify items that are not from the time of Jesus' birth or from the scene in question. It's quite a challenge to set the minds of kids in motion.

Enjoy this opportunity for the whole family to go all in on this Christmas tradition. Open until January 8.

The visiting hours, provided there are no church services, are Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 5 to 9 p.m.; Sundays and holidays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 9 p.m.

The JCF of Valencia joins the Christmas fun with two nativity scene competitions: free design and classics, some of which occupy up to 60m2. In addition, it has categories A and B depending on the size.

In the same vein as the fallas, around 100 committees design and assemble their crèche to enter the contest. The committees include Malvarrosa-Antonio Ponz-Cavite, Cuba-Literato Azorín, Mercado de Castilla, Reino de Valencia-San Valero, San Vicente-Marvá, Na Jordana, and many others.

For more details, check out the website of the Fallas Board.

In the historic church-museum of San Nicolás, also known as the "Valencian Sistine Chapel," a three-dimensional scene is created to convey realism. This diorama, measuring 4 meters wide, 2 meters deep, and 1.5 meters high, symbolizes the courage of the Valencian people in the face of adversity, incorporating contemporary elements that recall the effects of the flood.

This is not an ordinary nativity scene: after losing much of his work to the floods, Ródenas has transformed his experience into a moving tribute to hope and resilience.

 This Nativity Scene consists of 60 unique figures crafted by Valencian artisan Enrique Villagrasa. The pieces, 31 cm tall, are modeled in clay, fired at 1,000°C, and decorated with acrylics, oils, and gold leaf, standing out for their realism and detailed design. The scene, depicting the arrival of the Three Wise Men, features characters from India, Africa, and Persia.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; from December 23 to January 3 (both included, it will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm).

The history of the Association of Nativity Scene Makers of Valencia takes us back to 1952, when several residents exchanged invitations to visit the nativity scenes they made in their homes. As a result, the first association was created in 1956. 

Currently, the Association of Nativity Scene Makers of Valencia designs and assembles different nativity scenes throughout the city. Keep reading for more info.

The spectacular: Crèche in Nuevo Centro 

This Great Monumental Crèche of the Association of Nativity Scene Makers of Valencia is set up every year in a tent located outside the Nuevo Centro shopping center, and is an attraction in itself.
Every Christmas, the organization makes every effort to install a visitable macro nativity scene that boasts minute details and takes up over 24m2.
Admission is free and it can be visited during the mall's opening hours.

Nativity Scene in Palau de la Generalitat 

If you're not familiar with it, the Palau de la Generalitat is a late Valencian Gothic building constructed in 1421 on Calle Caballeros, and it has a magnificent courtyard. It is in this courtyard where you can see large dioramas with scenes of the birth, and where the Association of Nativity Scene Makers sets up the road to Bethlehem. 
There are also parallel activities in this iconic space of the Palau at Christmastime.

The traditional: Crèche in the Diputació 

The Palau dels Scala, built in the 16th century and currently home to the Provincial Council of Valencia (Diputació), opens its doors to showcase its traditional Christmas nativity scene that the pros in the Association of Nativity Scene Makers make and assemble every year. 
As usual, admission is free. The entrance is in Plaza Manises, with the area in and around the Diputació once again turning into Christmas Plaza, a cultural and leisure space with activities for the whole family.
This is another good opportunity to experience Christmas while also visiting a unique building in the city.