Costa Blanca Magazin

Sant Joan on the Costa Blanca - When the night burns

Sant Joan an der Costa Blanca - Wenn die Nacht brennt

From a silent wish in the flame light to blazing criticism made of papier-mâché - magic on the Costa Blanca, magic, community and culture merge, community and culture. A festival that is more than just fireworks.

There are nights when you can feel something in the air. Not just the scent of sea salt and sun cream, but a sense of departure, ritual - and a bit of rebellion. The Nit de Sant Joan, celebrated on the shortest night of the year, is just such a night.

Fire, water, freedom: The night from 23 to 24 June
Sant Joan is no ordinary festival. It is an invitation to symbolically let go - to burn the old and dare to try something new. Bonfires are lit all along the coast from dusk on 23 June. In Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Calp, Benissa, Altea, Villajoyosa and Benidorm, families, friends and strangers gather with picnic blankets, jukeboxes - and small pieces of paper in their pockets. On them are written fears, wishes or simply things that they don't want to take with them into the next six months.
And then it's off: the brave ones jump over the flames three times - this is supposed to bring good luck. Those who are particularly brave dare to take a dip in the night-time waves. Purification through fire and water - a Mediterranean form of therapy, without an appointment.

Alicante: When the fire becomes socially critical
While people are still barbecuing, dancing and singing on the beaches, the spectacle in Alicante takes on completely different dimensions. Here, Sant Joan is part of one of the city's biggest festivals: the Hogueras de Sant Joan. From May until 29 June, the city is transformed into a flaming laboratory for art, satire and protest.

Huge, artistically designed sculptures made of wood, papier-mâché and paint - affectionately known as „hogueras“ - can be found all over the city centre. They depict politicians with overly long noses, oversized social criticism or simply pure fantasy. And then, at midnight on 24 June, everything is burnt. „La Cremà“ - the grand finale. An image of letting go that could hardly be more effective.

And what else?
Throughout the week there are concerts, fireworks, children's parades and competitions. The city smells of fireworks, churros and summer - a mixture that you either love or never forget.
Sant Joan on the Costa Blanca is much more than a festival with campfire romance. It is magic you can touch, a collective breath of fresh air and sometimes an outcry. Whether on the beach in Benissa or among the flaming works of art in Alicante - once you've been there, you'll understand: This fire doesn't just burn in the sand. It burns in your head.

Important dates:
▶ 23 June:
Nit de Sant Joan in almost all coastal towns
▶ Until 29 June:
Hogueras de Sant Joan in Alicante
All dates under https://hogueras.com/calendario-de-hogueras

Tip: In many places, fire pits require a permit or are organised centrally - so it's better to join in the celebrations than light them yourself.