If you are in Costa Tropical during the month of June, you may hear people speaking of Fiesta de San Juan or Noche de San Juan. You likely assumed it was some sort of celebration, but it may also leave you with several questions. Who is San Juan? What is the fiesta de San Juan in celebration of? Why do some people say it is June 23rd and other people say it is June 24th? Let us help you figure it all out!
San Juan Celebrations
Fiesta de San Juan
Fiesta means party or celebration, so that part was easy! San Juan means Saint John and now we need to put it all together.
When the sun sets on June 23, Saint John’s Eve is the eve of celebration before the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke states that John was born about six months before Jesus; therefore, the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on June 24, six months before Christmas Eve and the feast day of Christmas. This feast day is one of the very few saints’ days which commemorates the anniversary of the birth, rather than the death, of the saint being honored. The Christian holy day is fixed at June 24, but in Spain festivities are mostly held the night before, on Saint John’s Eve.
Religious or not, in Spain San Juan is a magical night that officially kicks off of the summer season! This occurs every year on the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year.
Tents, camping and bonfire equipment may be on the beaches:
10:00am on the 23rd until 22:00 on the 24th.
Noche de San Juan – June 23
The Noche de San Juan (night of Saint John) on the 23rd is when most of the fiesta activities get started, just after sunset. Of course, people will be out earlier in the day to stake out their spot on the beach and kick things off a bit early. It is the one night each year, where bonfires and camping are allowed on the beaches. This celebration usually has roaring bonfires, drinks, food, and friends. Don’t even think you will get any sleep, as the beach parties will go on until dawn. When San Juan falls on the weekend, it continues a little longer Spanish style.
This is a night full of mystical powers and superstitions. For a year of good luck, here are some of the activities you may want to try:
- Jump over a bonfire.
- Burn a piece of paper with your lover’s name on it.
- Burn something old and personal to leave behind bad spirits from the past and start a new phase.
- Swimming in the sea at midnight purifies the soul and body. It is said to bring you beauty and youth.
- Fountains and natural water resources become magic and have healing properties.
Every region in Spain has different local traditions, however, all of them are related to fire and water.
Dia de San Juan – June 24 (Public Holiday)
This is a day of feast, family, and celebration! The parties continue on the beach, but it is also time to be with families and friends to honor San Juan. It is customary to enjoy a bollo de San Juan, an oil bread (with matalauva), with one or two hard-boiled eggs. This is when the arrival of summer is celebrated.
2022 San Juan in the Costa Tropical
Thursday night & Friday is the holiday.
Over the past few years, people have been releasing the paper lanterns, which illuminate the sky on this magical night. You may purchase them at the local bazaar stores around town. Each paper lantern contains a small candle to ignite and the heat from the flame lifts it up into the sky.
Fiesta de San Juan Almuñécar
Every beach will be filled with people, so stake out your place early on in the day. Often people will have a large group and send someone out to set up tents and tables, to mark their area. There will be plenty of good times, music, dancing, parties, and bonfires.
One of the biggest bonfires is always on the east side of Playa Puerta del Mar, with many wooden pallets and sticks being burned. Traditionally Velilla Beach and Puerta del Mar have younger crowds who will party all night long. Along Cotobro or San Cristobal, you will find more families and it can quiet down around 03:00 or 04:00 in the morning. No matter where you go you will enjoy the night, even if you are just walking by to see what’s going on.
Rooftops
If you don’t like being in the crowd and would prefer a birds eye view, enjoy the night on one of the rooftop terraces.
Fiesta de San Juan La Herradura
Every beach will be filled with people, so stake out your spot early on in the day. The “palm islands” can fill up quickly as you have a great landmark for party joiners to find you. There are often great events going on at the local Chiringuitos, with live music and more. There will be plenty of good times, music, dancing, parties, and bonfires.
Fiesta de San Juan Salobreña
Salobreña will celebrate the San Juan festivities from June 23 to 26, 2022 with an extensive program.
The festival and the Fiesta of San Juan continues for nearly a week in Salobreña, with a mixture of popular culture and religion.
The beaches of Salobreña are filled with dozens of bonfires. At midnight you can enjoy fireworks while the bonfire burns. When the clock strikes twelve the locals head for the sea to fulfill the tradition of washing their faces in the sea, with the belief that this will scare off negative spirits and have a good year. The festivities conclude with the procession that takes place on June 24. Read more
Keep Our Beaches Clean!
Remember to do your part and keep our beaches clean! Anything you bring to the beach you should remove or recycle. If you see that someone else has left something behind, don’t just leave it! Help out and dispose of it properly.
Fiesta de San Juan Lanjarón
Lanjarón is a small town in Las Alpujarras, just a 35-minute drive inland towards Granada. If you are up for several days of fun or just a good old-fashioned water fight, this is the place for you! Obviously, this is a mountain town, so there isn’t a beach bonfire involved. Instead, they have created the Fiestas del Agua y el Jamón en Lanjarón. As of 2017 they have limited the participation in the water fight and tickets need to be purchased. Town website here.
- It will be held at midnight from Thursday 23 to Friday 24 June
- On the first day only, 200 bracelets were distributed
- The entrance has a cost of 5 euros that will be used to defray the costs of the event itself or the security device
This is a Ham and Water Festival like no other and typically is a 4-day event. More info.
Lanjarón celebrates as every year, in a unique way, the night of San Juan, with the famous Carrera del Agua, recognized as an Andalusian tourist attraction. The event will take place on June 24 from 0:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., from the Palas Hotel roundabout to the Town Hall Square.
How to get your water fight ticket?
From Thursday, May 19, 2022 the ticket for the Water Race can be purchased at the offices of the Lanjarón City Council from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or at the Tourist Office of the municipality of Thursday to Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The price of the ticket is € 5
There will be parking spaces available at Fuente Aporta from 22:00, where they will find the respective personnel. From there, there will be two shuttle buses that will connect with the center of Lanjarón from 22:00 until 06:00.
Where to stay in Lanjarón
No matter where you stay in town, you will be close to the action! Below we share with you the highest rated hotels in the town center.
Nuevo Palas – Highly rated 3-Star hotel
This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Lanjarón! This property is also rated for the best value in Lanjarón! The rooms are clean and you are close to all of the sights.
Check here for availability and deals.
El Sol – Highly rated 2-Star hotel
Hotel El Sol is situated in the center of the spa town of Lanjarón, 100m from the thermal baths. It features an on-site spa bath, sauna and fitness center. The rooms at El Sol come equipped with a bathroom and TV. Private balconies are also available in rooms.
Check here for availability and deals.
Hotel Paris – Highly rated 1-Star hotel
This small and charming hotel is situated in the center of Lanjarón – ideal to spend a relaxing break with family or friends. At the Hotel Paris, you can enjoy a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by gardens enjoying plenty of Andalusian sunshine.
Check here for availability and deals.
Hotel Alcadima – Highly rated 3-Star hotel
Hotel Alcadima offers impressive views over the Salao Valley. This typical country house has indoor and outdoor pools and a sauna. Some rooms at the Alcadima Hotel have a private balcony, overlooking the countryside or the interior Andalusian courtyards.
Check here for availability and deals.
Holidays and Supermarket Closures
Please note grocery stores and supermarkets are usually closed on the Dia de San Juan.
