Noche de San Juan: the magical beach festival of Spain

When I heard my Spanish neighbours talking about la noche más mágica del año last June, I thought: oh, there must be a solar eclipse coming up, or maybe something astrological. Until they all started collecting wood, and on 21 June I suddenly found myself in the middle of a beach party with flames, music and wish rituals. Welcome to Noche de San Juan.

Fire, sea and symbolism

The Night of San Juan marks the summer solstice — the moment when the days are longest. Its origins lie in pagan rituals celebrating light, driving away evil spirits and seeking purification through fire and water. In Spain, it took on a Catholic touch: Saint John the Baptist (San Juan), the man of water and baptism. But the essence remained the same. Fire and sea are the main characters.

On the beaches of the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, large groups of people gather on the evening of 21 June. Families build small bonfires, teenagers drag in wooden pallets, and DJs at beach bars play summer beats. And then, as the sun sets and the air tingles with anticipation… the first flames are lit. Because just like Las Fallas — Valencia’s fiery spring festival — San Juan is all about letting go, purification, and rebirth. In Spain, fire is rarely just destruction — it is ritual, expression and emotion.

Your feet in the sea, your worries in the fire

There are many traditions linked to this night. The most well-known:

• Jumping over the fire three times: said to bring good luck and burn away negativity.

• Washing your feet in the sea after midnight: purifies your soul and body for the season ahead.

• Writing a wish on a piece of paper and burning it: symbolises letting go and setting intentions.

Everyone does it in their own way. Some dance. Others stare silently into the flames. And every now and then, laughter echoes across the beach when someone accidentally sets their flip-flop on fire.

Personal tip: the magical moment

My favourite moment? Just after midnight, when everything quiets down. The fires crackle softly, the sea gently laps the shore, and everyone seems to pause. It feels like a collective breath between the old season and the new. A little melancholy, a little hope. And lots of smoke in your hair.

Why San Juan feels so inherently Spanish

The beauty of this night lies in the mix: pagan, Catholic, magical, and above all… sociable. San Juan is quintessentially Spanish in its chaos, warmth, and symbolism. Everything blends together — and somehow, it works. You don’t have to believe in it to be moved by it.

Hogueras 2025 in Alicante

In Alicante, San Juan isn’t just a beach celebration — it’s an official city festival recognised by UNESCO: Les Fogueres de Sant Joan. From mid-June, the city fills with spectacular wooden and papier-mâché sculptures that are set ablaze on 24 June during la Cremà. Think: Las Fallas meets summer sun. By day there are firework shows, parades and traditional costume processions — and by night, dancing and music until the early hours. Want to experience San Juan in all its glory? Then Alicante’s Hogueras festival is the place to be.

⚠️ Note: In 2025, the official Noche de San Juan falls on Monday 23 June, but in many coastal towns, celebrations kick off the weekend before — from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June. This way, more people can join in — and towns and cities often turn it into a full festive weekend.

The radio stations of The Sound Of The Costa — Radio Costa, Costa Blanca Radio and FeelGood Radio — will air a special broadcast on Saturday 21 June, all about San Juan. Stay tuned to our channels!