Sant Joan Celebration in Barcelona

As it does each year, the Festival of Sant Joan falls on the 23rd of June. On tat particular date of the year, we celebrate the shortest night of the year and the start of summer – the Summer Solstice! The following day is a public holiday in Catalunya, so that everyone can rest from the previous crazy night. All around Barcelona you will hear the constant crackling of fireworks shot up from seemingly every rooftop of the city. It is the most important feast day for Spaniards and is a day that is celebrated throughout the country. If you happen to be in Barcelona on this day, you will for sure not miss it!

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The idea is that on the night of Sant Joan, the sun reaches its highest point, before beginning to drop. The sun is seen as a symbol of fertility and wealth, and most importantly it must be given strength. The strength is provided by bonfires and fireworks lit throughout the city for Sant Joan. People gather around with families and friends to celebrate in the streets, rooftops, beaches, restaurants and bars. The night is full of parties, fireworks and loud music.

History of Sant Joan Festival

The Festival Sant Joan celebrates the first day of summer (known as the Summer Solstice in England) and also the 24th of June, which is the longest day of the year. It is originally a pagan festivity, celebrated as the veneration of the sun and the beginning of summer solstice. However, this day also coincides with the birthday of Sant Jean-Baptiste. It is one of the most symbolic and significant nights in the Catholic calendar. This is why the celebration now takes place on the evening of June 23.

Rituals involve purifying fire, midnight baths, songs, dances and other magical rituals and cures. The celebration also calls for a feast, as the sun reaches its highest point and then slowly beings to descend. The three most recognised symbols of the Festival of Sant Joan are fire, which symbolises the purity of the sun and the reason for the sun staying lit. it is a common belief that the flames frighten off and dispel the evil spirits that are on this night. The other important symbols are water, which symbolises healing, and explains why you will find many religious people bathing in the sea on this day, and herbs, which symbolise remedy.

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The Canigo Flame is the flame that remains lit all year. Around in Perpignan’s Castle Tower and it is renewed early on the morning of each June 23rd. The organisation Omnium Cultural is responsible for the arrival of the Flama del Canigo in Barcelona. On the 23rd June evening, an event is organised. Which awaits for the torch, and when it arrives with the flame. It is then escorted in the middle of the square, to the strains of Muntanyes del Canigo (Mountains of Canigo). The flame is distributed to the representatives from the different districts. Who then has the job of lighting their respective bonfires.

Laws were introduced in the 18th century to curb the spread of fireworks and bonfires in the city. This suggests that by that time it was already a well-established tradition. Despite the bans and restrictions of the 20th century. The festival has continued to this generation.

How to celebrate Sant Joan

At the start of the evening, Barcelona locals usually watch the fireworks from their home balconies or rooftop terraces, with all of their friends and family. Afterwards, they tend to go where all the festivities happen: by the beach. The celebration around are in different forms: suppers, firework displays with devils and dragons, orchestras and bands for entertainment. But they all have cava and coca, the Catalan champagne and sweet bread. Which Sant Joan parties would not be complete without.

Keep an eye open since there are displays in different plaças of Barcelona. For example, in Ciutat Vella, there is the arrival of the Camigò Flame and the lighting of the bonfire in Plaça del Poeta Boscª. This is followed by a night of the fire with a Devils show in Plaça de la Barceloneta. In the Example, you can find the arrival of the Canigò Flame, a revetlla party and a bonfire in Sant Antoni. There are usually no major official fireworks displays on Sant Joan day. However, there will be a small display from the roof of the town hall on Plaça de Sant Jaume around 7:30 pm to welcome the “flame of Canigò” to the city. The municipality will be giving away rosemary plants if you assist the opening.

Magic and Myths of Nit Sant Joan

#1 Water rituals

This is a night when water, is considered to be a source of virtue and a guarantee of life in rural communities. And it is believed to be full of curative powers. Long ago taking a dip at midnight was a compulsory ritual.

#2 Fire jumping

It is said that jumping over the bonfire three times will ring good luck. So feel free to jump over the bonfires at your own risk!

#3 Herbs and Gold

It is believed that the herb St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is able to create gold. On the eve of Sant Joan, the fern’s spores are said to produce gold dust. The gold dust can supposedly only be collected with a white tissue.

Traditional Food

The coca de Sant Joan is the traditional food for these celebrations. It comes in different ways: some are topped with fruit and pine nuts or crackling. While others have custard or whipped cream filling. It comes from the cake with eggs that people ate years ago as a reminder of the sun cult.

The Festival also has a signature dessert called Coca. On the 23rd and maybe a few days before/after, you will see these cakes in every bakery in the city. You will find various types of Coca, both sweet and savoury. The Sant Joan Coca are a bit thicker and fluffier, topped with candied fruit and nuts or cream.

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Locations

#1 Barceloneta

There are many great places to enjoy the Sant Joan Festival. One of our favourite places to spend the evening is on Barceloneta beach. You get a great view of the fireworks and can feel the bubbly atmosphere of everyone around you.

If you are planning on watching the fireworks in Barceloneta, make sure to get there early. The beach begins to fill up in the early evening with groups who bring picnics and bottles of Cava to watch the fireworks.

#2 Montjuïc

If you prefer to avoid the craziness of the beach, but still want to see the fireworks, you can also go to the hills of Montjuic and watch the city from above. At the Montjuïc castle, you can organise a nice picnic with friends while watching the fireworks displays all over the city!

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