Las Fallas is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia, Spain. The term Fallas refers to both the celebration and the monuments burnt during the celebration. The origin of las Fallas comes from the old carpenter’s tradition who, when celebrating the arrival of spring mid-March, used to burn pieces of wood (parots) that were used to prop up their lights during the winter.
To this bonfire they gradually started to add old belongings and rags, which gave the wooden structure a human-looking aspect, until they became the ninots that we know today. The Valencian sense of humour soon gave the irony shown in the ninots which is maintained at present.  
The Fallas celebrations have evolved into temporary works of art which, in some cases, cost millions of euros, and as the climax to the festivities they are ceremonially set alight, just where they stand in the streets of the city!