22 Jun, 2025 @ 15:00
1 min read

EXPLAINER: What is behind Spain’s big San Juan celebrations

What is behind Spain's big San Juan celebrations

SPAIN’S San Juan festival has its roots in a pagan celebration that takes place every year to mark the start of summer. 

Fire and water, purification and rejuvenation, turning away from the past and looking forward to the future is what the festival is all about.

The feast of San Juan falls on June 24 but it’s the evening/night before that the the celebrations take place, i.e. this Monday.

READ MORE:

JUMPING OVER FIRE AT SAN JUAN

Given the significance of water during these celebrations, many of the festivities take place in coastal cities and towns of Spain. 

On the beaches, bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and traditionally people are expected to jump over the fire three times to ensure good luck.

With the start of summer, new beginnings are central to this festivity – out with the old and in with the new. 

Many people write down the things they want to leave behind as well as their wishes for the year ahead. These pieces of paper are then burned on the fire.

The burning of the effigies, or of the jua, is also highly symbolic on the night of San Juan.

Originally, statues of Judas would be burned, but over time this tradition has broadened to statues of evil things that the world wants rid of. 

 

27604613600 0e1c6ae212 C
GIANT BEACH BONFIRE

At midnight on the Night of San Juan, it is tradition for everyone to run into the sea which is a kind of cleansing ritual which is believed to wash away evil spirits.

Some people will also wash their face and feet three times in order to be granted three wishes.

Whether you are joining in with the festivities of San Juan or not, there is something we can all take from San Juan.

It is a period of reflection, thinking about what we want to leave in the past and what we want to take with us to the future as summer commences.

Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.

Staff Reporter

DO YOU HAVE NEWS FOR US at Spain’s most popular English newspaper - the Olive Press? Contact us now via email: newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call 951 273 575. To contact the newsdesk out of regular office hours please call +34 665 798 618.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Story

This resort is OURS!: BBC series shows Marbella in the perfect light (sort of)

Next Story

How crooks are stealing Spanish villas with forged powers of attorney and sinister late-night threats

Latest from La Cultura

Go toTop