Hogueras de San Juan: popular festivity in Spain

The Hogueras de San Juan is a very popular festivity not only in this area but also in other places in Spain. With no doubt, this festivity is worthwhile to enjoy the tradition with the people you love.  

The Hogueras de San Juan or Día de San Juan is a traditional and popular festival celebrated in all parts of Spain and even around the world during Midsummer Solstice.

When, where and what can you enjoy?

It takes place on the evening of 23rd June on St. John's Eve in many places in Spain but particularly in coastal towns and by far the largest celebration takes place here in Alicante where it has become arguably the most important festival in the city. 

Of course, if you are located or staying in one of our Costa Blanca Investment properties in Benidorm, Jávea, Alfaz del Pi, etc.you have the opportunity to travel to the most popular place to enjoy traditional festivity. This or enjoy in one of the cities where they also pay tribute to this tradition.

The festivals of Midsummer's Eve have roots in ancient Pagan celebrations and relate to the summer solstice. Bonfires were lit to fight off evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun turned southwards. At the same time, in later years, witches were also thought to be travelling to their “Coven” to meet with other powerful “dark side” beings. 

To ward off these “evil spirits” and “be cleansed”, bonfires are built on the beaches and at midnight, as the flames begin to recede and the embers remain, the younger more athletic of the gathered crowd form organised queues and jump over the flames three times, to banish these bad spirits. 

Another practice is for women who wish to fall pregnant, to go into the water and bathe while “jumping over” 9 waves. 

All in all, the festival of San Juan is a marvellous, friendly family evening on the beach where whole families and groups of friends meet, share their picnics and food and wine and talk about past times and sip on Orujo , just being together to celebrate the longest day of the year or the Summer Solstice. Don’t miss it!