Traditional San Juan Celebrations in Spain

San Juan is another traditional Spanish festival to celebrate the start of the summer, also thought of as the local midnight summer festival. On the evening of June 23rd thousands of people gather in the streets or on the beaches firstly to dine together and then enjoy spectacular displays of music, amazing fireworks, and bonfires that last until the early hours of June 24th. These festivities are celebrated nationwide, but each region, city, town, or village hosts their own unique events. Coastal cities such as Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are renowned for these celebrations and we are lucky to live close to the beach in the Alicante province to experience it ourselves.

Are San Juan Festivities religious?

The San Juan festivities started originally as a pagan event which coincided with the summer solstice marking the beginning of summer, the shortest night of the year, and also fertility. It is also a religious event as the day after the festivities, the 24th of June, is officially the birthday of San Juan, or John the Baptist.

Celebrate the traditional way

Leading up to the day, there are often processions, parades, and other cultural events. On the evening of the 23rd locals and tourists gather on the beaches to celebrate while having picnics, some with barbecues if allowed, and others will just buy food from the many food trucks and vendors along the beach. This lively and joyful get together is accompanied by music and dance, hence why it is seen as the first summer festival, as well as a huge fire organised by the community.

Traditionally at midnight, people jumped over bonfires to cleanse and purify themselves. Nowadays individual bonfires are not allowed anymore for safety reasons, but fire still symbolises freedom from the past and hope and good luck for the future!

Nowadays it is customary to jump into the sea at midnight as it is believed the water refreshes, rejuvenates, and washes away evil spirits. The ritual states that one should wash their faces and feet three times to enjoy a happy year thereafter.

Interesting rituals of San Juan

As with many traditions there are some interesting rituals following old legends.

This particular ritual asks single women to place an egg white in a glass of water and leave it overnight on their windowsill during the San Juan celebrations. Besides a sense of mystique and charm it promises single women to find love in the following year with marriage being the next step. It’s not a proven method for finding love, but trying this ritual doesn’t harmed anyone!

The day of San Juan

The day of San Juan, also known as St. John’s day is a public holiday with many businesses being closed or operating reduced hours. This slower day is widely appreciated as many Spaniards may feel tired or even have a hangover following the celebrations and parties of the night before. In some regions the religious significance of San Juan is celebrated with masses. It is an individual choice to take part in these, or people can choose to relax and enjoy family time. For us it is a day of work and we hope to feed many hungry people at our restaurant.

Don’t miss out on the beauty of Spain. There are many idillic places to visit and explore.