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The Verbena de San Juan (Saint John's eve) is one of the most popular festivals in Catalonia. It is an ideal occasion to gather with family and friends in a rural house to celebrate the arrival of summer.
On the night of June 23rd, the shortest night of the year, every village and every neighborhood in Catalonia organizes its own Saint John's Eve with the bonfire as a common element, and different activities that can vary depending on the town: community dinners, fireworks shows, musical performances... Another thing that never fails at this time of year is the coca de Sant Joan, cava, and the Flame of Canigó.
This festivity is very important in Catalonia and it is linked to the summer solstice that begins with the renewal of the fire at the summit of Canigó peak and ends with the lighting of the Sant Joan bonfires after the flame, carried by volunteers, is distributed throughout Catalonia.
Origins of the Verbena de San Juan
Do you know why we celebrate the Saint John's eve? It is a celebration of pagan origin before Christianity, a kind of revival of the summer solstice festivities. It was a cult of the sun which, over the centuries, Christianity ended up adopting as its own. However, during the Franco dictatorship, an attempt was made to end the celebration because it was declared improper for Christian people. The celebration, however, continued clandestinely.
The best verbena de San Juan in Catalonia
The night of Sant Joan is a night of symbolic customs such as fire, midnight baths, songs, dancing, and magical rituals. From Naturaki, we recommend a few plans for different towns and cities in Catalonia to celebrate this magical night. Will you join us?
Verbena of San Juan in a Naturaki holiday cottage
Celebrating the Verbena de San Juan in a holiday cottage is a sure bet. If you are looking for a country house that accepts dogs, it can become the ideal refuge for your pet, as many of them can have a really hard time with the noise of the firecrackers that can be heard in urban areas. Some people like to stay at the house with the whole gang looking for a quieter plan such as a barbecue dinner and extending the night with an after-dinner gathering on the terrace, taking a dip in the swimming at midnight to cool off. Others prefer to participate in the many activities organized in the towns such as dinners and popular dances, and go to throw firecrackers with the little ones in the town square, thus experiencing an authentic participation in "village life".
San Juan in La Barceloneta Beach (Barcelona)
On the night of Sant Joan, the city of Barcelona fills with bonfires and parties. If you have never spent the Verbena in the Catalan capital, it is worth going to Barceloneta Beach where, after the bonfire is lit with the Flame of Canigó, there will be a neighborhood dinner, correfoc (fire-run), and a devils' show. Plus, you can finish the night by swimming in the sea!
San Juan Fireworks in Platja d'Aro (Baix Empordà)
If you enjoy fireworks, Platja d'Aro, in the Baix Empordà, welcomes the summer with a wonderful pyrotechnic choreography. A firework display that you can watch from Platja Gran. If you arrive in good time, you can take advantage of the afternoon to visit the medieval quarter of Castell d'Aro or the extensive tourist and gastronomic offer of Platja d'Aro.
Local Festival of Palamós (Baix Empordà)
As every year around this time, Palamós celebrates its Local Festival. You will find “castellers” (the human towers), parades of giants, correfocs (fire-runs), children's activities, musical vermouths, and lots of activities. But if you want to go on the Saint John's eve, you can stroll through the fair set up along the seafront and attend one of the concerts at the barracas on Platja Gran. If you visit Palamós during these dates, take the opportunity to try the Palamós prawn menu at one of the participating restaurants.
San Juan Verbena in Serrallo (Tarragona)
If you want bonfires and human towers, the city of Tarragona is the place to be! The main events take place at El Serrallo neighborhood, with the arrival of the Flame of Canigó, and on Rambla Nova, with the fire parade led by fire groups that culminates in the lighting of the bonfire. The next evening, the diada castellera de Sant Joan (the traditional Saint John's human tower day) takes place, with performances by local human tower groups such as Xiquets de Tarragona, Colla Jove Xiquets de Tarragona, Xiquets del Serrallo, and Colla Castellera Sant Pere i Sant Pau.
Itaca Festival in L'Estartit (Baix Empordà)
Fancy some music? Within the framework of the Ítaca Festival, one of the best summer music festivals on the Costa Brava, L'Estartit fills with concerts around these dates every year. A different way to enjoy the Verbena de San Juan with music by the sea.
Las Fallas of Isil (Pallars Sobirà)
Another must-see on this magical night is Les Falles, a festival celebrated in Isil, in the Pallars Sobirà, during the night of Sant Joan. It is an ancestral ceremony, a cult of fire in which burning logs are carried down the mountain to the center of the village. In 2010, it was declared a National Heritage Festival. This year it will start at five in the afternoon, with the gathering of falleros (torch-bearers) in the Plaza Mayor, the toll of bells, and the procession towards the lighthouse. At 10 pm, the Major Falla is lit and the descent of the torches begins from El Faro, culminating at midnight with the arrival of the falleros in the village.
LAC Festival in Tavertet (Osona)
We finish our roundup of suggestions in Tavertet, with a new edition of the LAC (Laboratory of Contemplative Arts), an alternative festival that defines itself as a refuge of creation for artists and thinkers from all over the world. An opportunity to enjoy national and international musicians from the world of contemporary jazz. An experience that will not leave you indifferent.
If you want to take advantage of Sant Joan's day to take a stroll by the sea, these are some of the best coastal paths on the Costa Brava.