St John's Day

When is it celebrated

The festival of San Juan corresponds to 24 June. In many Valencian towns the popular celebration begins on the night of the 23rd to the 24th, especially on beaches and open spaces. It is convenient to distinguish that Night of San Juan from the cremà of the Bonfires of Alicante: the latter begins at midnight at the end of the 24th.

Is it a holiday or a working day?

The cultural date is fixed, but its autonomous employment status should not be considered permanent. For 2026, Decree 100/2025 of the Consell and the official Valencian calendar declare Wednesday, 24 June, San Juan, a public holiday throughout the Valencian Community. The calendar approved by the Generalitat must be verified every year; In addition, municipalities can establish different local holidays, such as 23 June in Alicante in 2026.

Origin and geographical link

San Juan is a celebration spread throughout the Mediterranean area that in the Valencian Community has developed its own expressions linked to fire, gunpowder, the street and the coast. Not all towns follow the same model: in many municipalities the nighttime gathering by the sea predominates, while Alicante organises its official festivals, Les Fogueres de Sant Joan, around ephemeral monuments and district commissions.

Regular events

Meetings on beaches on the night of the 23rd, bonfires when authorized, outdoor dinners and fireworks shows are common. In Alicante, the cycle incorporates plantà of monuments, mascletàs, parades, offering of flowers, barracks and racós, mass, parades and the cremà. These activities cannot be automatically transferred to the entire community: each town council publishes its rules, venues and programme.

Usual duration of events

The Night of San Juan is concentrated between the afternoon of the 23rd and the early morning of the 24th. Other festivities last several days: in Guardamar del Segura the 2026 programme covered from 20 June to 24, and in Alicante the central days of Fogueres are from the 20th to the 24th, with preliminary events during June. The exact duration depends on the municipality and the edition.

Traditions and history

Tradition links bonfires with ancient Mediterranean rites to welcome the summer solstice. In Alicante there is documentary evidence of urban bonfires from a municipal side in 1822; During the 19th century, neighbourhood street parties took place and in 1928 the Alicante Attraction association organised the first official Bonfires. Alicante customs include coca amb tonyina and the bacores, gunpowder, satirical monuments and the water of the popular banyà after the burning.

Where is it celebrated

The commemoration is present in the three provinces of the Valencian Community, with special roots in coastal towns and celebrations adapted to each municipality. Oropesa del Mar brings together residents and visitors on its beaches; Guardamar del Segura plants and burns a satirical figure; and Alicante transforms its districts, the Plaza de los Luceros, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and other urban spaces during Les Fogueres.

Who participates

Neighbors, visitors, town councils, public services, cultural associations and festive groups participate. In Alicante, the Federation of Les Fogueres de Sant Joan, the bonfire commissions, barracks and racós, construction artists, music bands, pyrotechnics, the Belleses del Foc and their ladies intervene prominently. In other municipalities, the organisation and the participating groups are their own, so they must be consulted in the local programme.