Bonfires of Saint John

Intricate wooden and papier-mâché sculptures, often with satirical elements, are erected throughout the city. Some of these impressive structures stand over 20 meters tall and are ceremonially burned during the event known as "La Cremà" on the night of June 24.

Every day at 2 PM, a loud firecracker show called "Mascletà" takes place in Plaza de los Luceros. The festival reaches its climax with a grand fireworks display known as "Nit del Foc" (Night of Fire) held on the beach on June 23.

Colorful parades with people dressed in traditional costumes march through the streets. The "Entrance of the Bands" parade on June 21 features musical bands, and on June 21 and 22, participants offer flowers to Our Lady of Remedios during the "Floral Offering."

Visitors can enjoy local delicacies at special spaces called "barracas" and "racós," which are set up for dining and dancing.

・Barracas: Temporary tents set up during the festival, offering local food and drinks. Here, you can savor traditional Alicante dishes like paella and arroz a banda.

・Racós: Smaller, more intimate dining spaces where you can enjoy tapas, local wines, and special cocktails.

Don't miss the festival-specific dishes:

・Coca amb tonyina: A traditional savory pastry filled with tuna.

・Brevas: A type of fig traditionally eaten during the festival period.

In these places, you can simultaneously enjoy the local flavors of Alicante and the festive atmosphere.

The Bonfires of Saint John originate from ancient midsummer festivals celebrating the summer solstice. In Alicante, the modern festival began in 1928, inspired by Valencia's Fallas festival. The bonfires symbolize purification and renewal, welcoming the arrival of summer.

The festival is also linked to ancestral traditions celebrating the arrival of summer in various regions of Aragon and Catalonia. Known as the "Fallas of the Pyrenees," this tradition is designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO as the "Fire Festivals of the Summer Solstice in the Pyrenees."

In the villages of the Pyrenees, participants carry handmade torches (fallas) down from the highlands and create shapes with fire. Finally, a large bonfire is lit in the village to welcome summer. These rituals are passed down from generation to generation, and the symbols differ from village to village.

In 2014, the festival was also declared a "Fiesta of International Tourist Interest of Spain" by the Spanish Ministry of Tourism, the highest recognition given to festivals with international acclaim and touristic value.

The Bonfires of San Juan run in our blood. Watching the giant bonfires burn in the Town Hall Square fills me with pride for our tradition. The heat on my face, the cheers of the crowd, the crackling of the flames—this flood of sensations moves my heart every year. During the festival, I feel the entire city coming together as one.

I stumbled upon this festival by accident, and it was an unbelievably wonderful surprise. During the festival, the energy in Alicante feels electric. I vividly remember the taste of horchata on a hot afternoon and the magnificence of the Nit del Foc fireworks. The excitement of watching children run through the water sprayed by fire trucks during La Cremà is something I'll never forget.

To me, this festival is about family and tradition. This year, I took my grandchildren to see the ninots (figures) before they were burned. We laughed at the clever political satire, which reflects our culture and insights into current events. Although the festival changes a little each year, the spirit of community and joy remains the same. Enjoying paella at the barracas while mingling with young people is something I look forward to every year.

It is held annually in Alicante, Spain, from June 20 to 24.