The Legend of the Drunk Fireworks

Every great celebration carries a spark of chaos, and in Valencia’s Las Fallas festival, that spark takes on a life of its own. Between the smoke, the explosions, and the heat of the fires, this centuries-old Spanish celebration is as unpredictable as it is spectacular — and home to one of Europe’s most unusual urban legends: the tale of the Drunk Firework.

Origins of Las Fallas

Las Fallas began centuries ago when Valencian craftsmen celebrated the arrival of spring by burning old wood and scrap materials from their workshops. Over time, this simple ritual evolved into one of the world’s most dramatic and visually stunning festivals — complete with giant effigies called ninots, towering over the city streets before being set alight in a fiery display of renewal.

Each year, these effigies poke fun at politics, celebrity culture, and social trends, proving that satire and sparks go hand-in-hand. And, of course, the festival wouldn’t be complete without the constant crack of fireworks echoing through the narrow streets of Valencia.

Fireworks, Firecrackers, and “Borrachos”

Throughout the month of March, Valencians of all ages fill the streets armed with petardos (firecrackers). You’ll hear explosions in every direction — children with “chinos” (tiny bangers), adults with larger petardos, and an ever-present haze of smoke hanging over the city.

Among this pyrotechnic mayhem, one firework in particular has earned notoriety: the borracho — literally, “the drunk.” Unlike regular fireworks that fly in a predictable arc, the borracho skitters across the ground, zigzagging and spinning out of control, often in the direction of whoever’s trying hardest to escape it.

The Urban Legend of the Drunk Firework

For generations, Valencians have repeated the same warning: never run from a drunk firework, or it will chase you.

According to local folklore, these rogue fireworks have minds of their own. The story claims that movement somehow “attracts” them, making it more likely they’ll strike anyone trying to flee. Parents, friends, and even seasoned festival-goers repeat the same advice — stand still and hope for the best.

This peculiar myth gained international attention when a group of researchers conducted a light-hearted Monte Carlo simulation to test it. Their results showed that moving targets were indeed more likely to be hit by a randomly moving firework. However, the study was published on April Fools’ Day, leaving everyone unsure whether it was serious research or an elaborate joke.

Our team at We Are Tricycle hasn’t yet confirmed whether the maths or the myth holds up — but one thing’s for certain: the chaos of the borrachos is no exaggeration.

Fire, Fun, and Folk Wisdom

Beyond the myths, Las Fallas captures the true spirit of carnival — joy, danger, artistry, and satire, all fuelled by noise and flame. Streets fill with crowds, flames dance against the night sky, and fireworks burst with reckless enthusiasm.

It’s a reminder that the line between excitement and chaos is thin — and that human celebration has always lived on that edge. Just as fairs across Britain blend laughter with legend, Valencia’s “drunk fireworks” remind us that sometimes the wildest traditions are the ones that stick around the longest.

Bringing the Spirit of the Fair to Your Event

At We Are Tricycle, we bring the same excitement and energy found in traditional festivals like Las Fallas to events across the UK. From funfair rides and attractions to event catering and carnival games, our range has everything needed to create a lively, safe, and professional event.

Choose from classics such as the Vintage Ferris Wheel, Traditional Victorian Carousel, or Modern Dodgems, or add playful stalls like Hook A Duck and Hoopla. For refreshments, our catering tricycles — including the Ice Cream Food Vending Tricycle and Candy Floss Tricycle — bring sweetness to every occasion.

We provide nationwide delivery and setup for events in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Whether you’re planning a corporate function, festival, or themed celebration, we’ll handle everything from logistics to safety documentation.

So while the “drunk fireworks” might be better left to Spanish folklore, you can count on us to bring all the excitement of a world-class funfair — without the risk of singed eyebrows.