Mitjafava Fest returns to Poble Nou de Benitatxell with a vibrant program running from April 17 to 23. The town gears up to celebrate its star product, the broad bean, with a dedicated festival lineup that highlights broad bean gastronomy. From April 17 to 21, Broad Bean Gastronomy Days invite locals and visitors to savor a broad bean rice dish crafted by municipality-affiliated restaurants, offering a taste that appeals to all palates while showcasing the region’s agricultural pride and culinary craft.
The festival isn’t only about food. On Thursday, April 20 at 7:00 pm, the local library hosts a cultural highlight with the presentation of Jovi Lozano’s book Després de maig, abans de l’estiu. The event is part of the Poblem als Pobles initiative, which brings cultural programming to small towns and strengthens community spirit.
On Friday, April 21, at 6:00 pm, Mitjafava Fest hosts the Amata Craft Fair in Carrer de la Pau. At 7:00 pm, the parade of Colla La Llebetjà winds through the shops and stalls, turning the street into a living village market. The fair remains open over the weekend, inviting visitors to explore traditional crafts, enjoy local trades, and even glimpse birds of prey at demonstrations along the way.
Friday also features a showcooking session starting at 8:00 pm, where three acclaimed chefs bring Poblera beans to life in tapas form. Alberto Ferruz and Emmanuelle Baron of Xàbia’s BonAmb, renowned for two Michelin Stars and multiple Repsol Suns, join Jordi Morera, host of the À Punt program La cuina de Morera and head of Ca Morera in Valencia. The chefs will prepare a tapa centered on poblera beans, giving lucky participants a chance to sample a curated tapas tasting crafted around the season’s star ingredient.
Early Saturday morning, April 23, children can enjoy a storytelling session at home and a family-friendly route called Five Senses Muscatel run by the Biomoscatel Association. A Sing and Play event with music and games adds an upbeat note to the morning, while the afternoon brings a chance to upgrade the festival experience with a performance by Iruxa+ Skargots at 5:30 pm, offering lighthearted entertainment for families and visitors alike.
Humor also has a place in the program with Riures en valencià, a series of lighthearted monologues featuring Cabra Fotuda and María Zamora, staged on Saturday to entertain audiences in multiple venues around town.
Music remains a cornerstone of Mitjafava Fest. The afternoon kicks off with a Poblero-style urban gathering featuring music and tapas at Plaza de les Pesqueres. At 8:30 pm the Rock & Fava Festival takes the stage, headlined by Xavi Sarrià and joined by Valencian artists including Cactus, Limbotheque, and Macondo, along with a rotating DJ lineup. The day invites both locals and North American visitors to experience a modern fusion of regional flavors, live performances, and street-side entertainment.
Sunday, April 24, culminates with dance and community dining. The Danses Morro Falquí group leads traditional dances as part of the Peña Taurina and TapiFava Festival, with affordable lunches featuring broad beans for all attendees. The afternoon rounds off with Jazzmàtics bringing a jazzy finish to the festival, and prize ceremonies for the wine competition cap off the weekend with a celebratory note for the community and visitors alike.