Las Fallas in Spain

Pyromaniacs will fall in love with the annual Las Fallas de Valencia in Spain. This five-day celebration sees much of the town literally go up in flames when revelers light up numerous ninots with flames and fireworks.

The ninots are statues traditionally made of wood, cardboard, paper-maché or plaster, sometimes standing several stories tall. City organizations work year-round to build them and spend upwards of $75,000 only to burn them to the ground.

The celebration begins early in the day when young men gather around the ninots with axes in order to carve hidden holes into the structures in which to stuff fireworks and other flammable materials. Once midnight strikes, the townsfolk set them ablaze resulting in a magnificent display of flame and fireworks throughout the city.

Don’t worry, though, the local fire departments ensure nothing important goes up in flames. Each year the 3 million visitors are invited to vote on the best ninot of the crowd and the winner is saved from a fiery fate — at least until next year.

Anyone who enjoys a bright and lively show, even if it is a bit morbid, will certainly enjoy checking this out. The celebration begins March 19.