I love to show you the wonders of my city, and today I will tell you about the festivities of Sant Joan Barcelona 2024. Did you know that the main celebration takes place on the eve of the summer solstice? It’s like Christmas Eve in summer!
Here, we give a lot of importance to the Summer Solstice, the shortest night of the year. It’s a public holiday celebrated with an electric energy in the air and crazy parties everywhere.
If you’re in Barcelona during this period, there’s no way you can miss the date! The streets are filled with fireworks and the constant burst of fireworks will make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Get ready for a magical and fun-filled night!
Origin of the Sant Joan festival
The idea behind this festival is that on the night of Sant Joan, the sun reaches its highest point before it begins to descend. For the Catalans, the sun is a symbol of fertility and wealth, so it is important to give it strength. How do they do it? With bonfires and fireworks all over the city! It is a magical night full of energy, where people gather on the beaches and squares to enjoy music, food and drink.
At the same time, Sant Joan is a festival of vindication of the Catalan identity, hence all the bonfires in the country are lit with fire that comes from the Canigó and that travels throughout Catalonia.
Beginning of the celebration of the festival of Sant Joan (Saint John)
The magical celebration of the Revetlla de Sant Joan, the festivities of St. John’s Eve, which are celebrated throughout the country in various forms. In Barcelona we celebrate in our own unique way, with neighbors, friends and families gathering for a delicious dinner, music and bonfires.
On the evening of June 24, the Flame of Canigó arrives at Sant Jaume square, where representatives of the City Council, together with the Eagle and the Giants of the City, welcome it with a performance of the ‘Muntanyes del Canigó’. Then, representatives from each neighborhood take the flame to light bonfires throughout the city.
Once the bonfires are lit, the revelry begins in the streets and squares of Barcelona, with neighborhood meals, fireworks, dancing and revelry until the wee hours of the morning.
The Nit de Sant Joan has pagan origins and is one of the solstice festivals, like Christmas. The tradition predates the introduction of Christianity. It is a sun cult, celebrating the lengthening of the day and the summer solstice.
In fact, the festival has long been celebrated in Barcelona, with bonfires at the heart of the festivities. The flames are believed to drive away and dispel evil spirits that are outside on this night.
There are documents of 18th century laws to curb the proliferation of fireworks and bonfires in the city, suggesting that by this time it was already a well-established tradition. However, despite 20th century bans and restrictions, the festival has continued to this day.
The three symbols of the festival of Sant Joan
The three symbols of Sant Joan, one of the most important festivities of our city. Are you ready to discover them?
- Fire, which represents purity. For this reason, we light bonfires on this magical night.
- Water, which symbolizes healing. That is why, in some areas, people bathe in the sea during the night of Sant Joan.
- Herbs, which represent the remedy. It is said that on this night, their healing properties are multiplied a hundredfold, so it is not uncommon to see people collecting them during the night of Sant Joan!
don’t you find it fascinating, but this is just the beginning! In Barcelona, the night of Sant Joan is an all-night party , full of music, dancing and fun.
The Feast Sant Joan’s, the best night of the year
One of the most spectacular parties you can enjoy here is the celebration of Sant Joan, also known as the ‘Nit del Foc’ (Night of Fire). Why? Because the fireworks are the highlight of the night!
In the days leading up to the festival, you’ll see temporary fireworks stores open all over the city, with long lines of people lining up to buy!
It is common for many families and groups of friends to organize their own parties, known as ‘Revetlles’. Barcelona is a city full of balconies and terraces, so those with the biggest balconies or the best views of the city invite friends and family to watch the fireworks, eat and dance the night away. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime experience!
How to live a magic ‘Nit de Sant Joan in Barcelona
The beach, best place to experience the Revetlla de Sant Joan
If you are looking for a plan for the night of Sant John’s eve and you don’t have a party of friends to attend, don’t worry! The most popular place to celebrate this magical night is the beach.
Sant Joan Barceloneta is full of people from early afternoon, with groups bringing their own picnics and ‘cava’ to enjoy the spectacular fireworks and the music playing in the ‘chiringuitos’ (beach bars). In addition, you can find groups of musicians and percussionists who will put the rhythm to the night for free.
A city full of life and fun. If you like to party, you can’t miss the bars located on the beach and its surroundings did you know that many of them build special bars in the front of the building? Yes, that’s right, so that party lovers can enjoy drinks and snacks while arriving at the beach – imagine the excitement of getting the party started before you hit the sand! Come and discover this wonderful city that never ceases to amaze.
Fireworks will cover the sky during all St. John eve
One of the most exciting things you will find in our local squares are the shows that take place. Not for the faint-hearted! The locals dress up in stunning costumes and perform fireworks displays.
This year, I had the opportunity to witness one at the Plaza de Barceloneta. It was amazing! A man dressed as a devil and many other characters in spectacular costumes. Groups of men ran towards the center of the square with large fireworks in their hands. They ran around the crowd with sparks flying everywhere – it was a thrilling experience! Although, we had to put out the sparks that flew into my friend’s hair ;-p
Don’t expect specific events, just gather your friends, some food and drink, and go out and enjoy the chaos – I assure you, you won’t regret it!
What to eat during the night of Sant Joan
One of the most curious things you should know is that in Sant Joan, only ‘COCA’ is eaten! What is that? Well, they are bread cakes that you will find in all the bakeries of the city. There are several types, both sweet and savory. Some have cracklings, fruits and nuts or cream. But what they all have in common is the aniseed, which gives them a unique and delicious flavor. Don’t miss the opportunity to try them!
The 24th of June, holiday, St. John Day
If you go for a walk, you are likely to meet the cleaning workers, who are making a great effort to collect the remains of the fireworks, beer bottles and streamers that decorate the sidewalks. It’s the day after a big celebration, and you can feel it in the air.
Many of Barcelona’s locals have been dancing late into the night, so it’s normal to see the curtains closed as they recover from the hangover. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other things to do in this beautiful city!
My Opinion
- If you are thinking of going to the beach, I recommend you go early, so you can find a good place to enjoy the sun and the sea. Ideally, you should arrive around 20:00, before it gets crowded.
- Don’t forget to bring blankets and warm clothes for when the sun goes down.
- If you are going with small children, keep in mind that the beach gets livelier and livelier as the night goes on, with firecrackers and fireworks everywhere. So you may want to leave before midnight to avoid the hustle and bustle.
- Another option is to go to a plaza, they prepare during the day and evening for the party, keep your eyes peeled where they are preparing shows for the night. If you find one that catches your eye, go back there when it starts to get dark and you are sure to see an interesting show!
- If you want to experience the magic of Barcelona without getting caught up in the chaos of the beach, I suggest you head into the hills and see the city from above. One option is to climb the montjuïc castle with a picnic and enjoy the fireworks shows that take place all over the city – the view is breathtaking! In addition, you can explore the castle’s gardens and fortifications, which have a fascinating history.
