A morning of tradition and rice
Port de Catarroja will host the Fiesta de la Siega on Sunday 27 September 2026, an annual event celebrating Valencia’s rice culture with activities for all ages. Organised by the Denominación de Origen Arroz de Valencia and Ajuntament de Catarroja, the day blends tradition, gastronomy and nature in a unique setting: the surroundings of l’Albufera.
This year, chef Vicente Rioja, from Restaurante Rioja in Benissanó, will receive the title of Segador de Honor, in recognition of his work promoting Valencian cuisine and local rice.
Programme of activities
The festival kicks off at 9:00 with a guided boat tour to discover the birds of l’Albufera and the Tancat de la Pipa, organised in collaboration with SEO/BirdLife and AE-Agró. At 10:00, boat rides around l’Albufera will depart from Port de Catarroja.
From 10:30 to 12:00, the main event will include:
- Traditional harvesting and threshing demonstration, reviving ancestral rice cultivation techniques.
- Showcooking with chefs Rubén Ruiz (from La Matandeta) and Vicente Patiño (from Saiti), who will prepare rice dishes live.
- Free kids’ workshops to teach children about the importance of rice in Valencian culture.
- Concurso de Cant de Batre, a traditional song linked to harvesting work.
- Inauguration of the Paseo del Arroz, a new space paying tribute to the rice-growing landscape.
Practical information
The Fiesta de la Siega is a free event open to all ages. Most activities do not require prior registration. Only the boat rides and the guided tour of Tancat de la Pipa may need booking, though no capacity limits have been confirmed. For more details on the venue, check the Port de Catarroja fact sheet.
