Valencia plans fines of up to €1,500 for risqué costumes at stag and hen parties

Having a stag or hen party in Valencia could end up being much more expensive than expected if the new draft municipal ordinance goes ahead. The City Council has set its sights on costumes that imitate genitals and groups that make too much noise in public spaces: the proposal includes fines of up to 750 euros just for the outfit, and if neighbours are also disturbed, the penalty can reach 1,500 euros.

The measure, which is still just a draft and not yet in force, aims to put a stop to celebrations that get out of hand in the city centre. The municipal text is not limited to costumes: it also toughens penalties for drinking alcohol in protected areas. Drinking next to listed monuments could cost up to 3,000 euros, making street drinking a risky luxury for those who choose historic settings as a party backdrop.

Why now? Valencia, like other Mediterranean cities, has been dealing for years with the tourism of stag and hen parties and the disturbances they cause in central neighbourhoods. The debate about how to balance fun and residents’ peace is not new, and each city seeks its own solution. In Barcelona, for example, the coexistence of nightlife and local life has also been a topic of discussion, as covered in another recent report on initiatives to revitalise neighbourhoods without losing tranquillity.

Valencia’s proposal still has to go through municipal procedures before becoming reality. But the message is clear: excesses in the street, especially if they include explicit costumes or alcohol near monuments, could be very costly. If the ordinance is approved, those planning a party in the city will have to think twice before choosing their outfit or route. The trend points to greater regulation of leisure in public spaces, and Valencia seems ready to set the pace.