On the eve of June 23-24, Barcelona celebrates one of the most anticipated nights of the year: the verbena of San Juan. Today in the blog of Hotel Arc La Rambla we tell you everything you need to know about this tradition and tips to enjoy the magical night of San Juan 2023 in Barcelona.
Origin of the Festival of San Juan
La verbena de San Juan, known as the shortest night of the year, is a festival celebrated on June 23 and has its roots in pagan traditions. This holiday coincides with the summer solstice and is associated with purification, fire and fertility. It is celebrated with enthusiasm in many regions of Spain, including Catalonia.
Revetlla de Sant Joan in Barcelona
n Catalonia, the celebration of Saint John is known as the “Nit de Sant Joan” or the “Revetlla de Sant Joan“. The festivity combines ancestral traditions with more modern elements and attracts thousands of people every year. One of the protagonists of the celebration is fire, there are different traditions related to this element.
The Flame of Canigó 2023
As tradition dictates, a fire originates at the top of the Canigó massif and spreads throughout the Catalan territory during a single night. At 6 pm on the evening of June 23, the flame of the Canigó will reach the Sant Jaume square.
There you can enjoy the music of the Cobla Sant Jordi and the dances of Gegants, you can see the Castellers, the lighting of the cauldron and how representatives of the neighborhoods will take the fire that will light the bonfires throughout Barcelona.
Bonfires and Fireworks on the Beach of Barcelona
Fire and water are the main elements of this magical festival, both converge on the beaches of Barcelona. Large bonfires are lit on the beaches and in other outdoor locations. Thousands of people gather to celebrate the start of summer with friends and family.
In addition to the bonfires, another important tradition is the launching of fireworks and firecrackers. The sky is illuminated with colors and lights while people enjoy the fireworks displays, dance in the beach bars and toast with cava.
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Nit de Sant Joan: correfocs in the neighborhoods
If you are interested in the most deeply rooted traditions, you can visit some neighborhoods and participate in the correfocs, which are parades where participants, disguised as demons and mythological creatures, go through the streets throwing fireworks and firecrackers.
These parades are a unique and exciting experience.
Cultural entities and neighborhood associations organize the Verbena in the neighborhoods of Barcelona. If the beach doesn’t convince you, you have many options where to go: Sants-Montjuïc, Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Sarrià, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, Sant Martí. So try as many as you can and don’t forget to toast with cava!
Parties all over Barcelona in San Juan 2023
Another option is to enjoy the many parties and events that are held in different parts of the city. You can find popular festivals in squares and parks or open-air concerts, where you can dance, listen to live music and taste typical dishes.
There are also discos and clubs that organize special San Juan parties.
La Coca de San Juan (traditional dessert)
Undoubtedly, in such a party a typical food is eaten: the coca de San Juan. This traditional dessert has several versions: marzipan with candied fruits, brioche filled with pastry cream, puff pastry with cracklings and pine nuts.
Choose the one you like, but above all, don’t forget to toast with a glass of cava.
Rituals for Midsummer’s Eve
As we mentioned earlier, the origin of the festival is pagan and long before the Christian religion, this ancient ceremony celebrated the summer solstice. Nowadays, many take advantage of this magical night to perform a ritual of purification and wish fulfillment.
If you want to comply with the tradition, here are some of the most popular rituals to attract positive changes:
- Jump 7 times the flames of the bonfire.
- Burn something old
- Bathe in the sea at night.
- Jump nine waves with your back to the sea
- Make three wishes while three waves hit your feet.
St. John’s Eve 2023 in Barcelona
From Hotel Arc la Rambla, we suggest you to come to theRevetlla al Rava, will be held in the same Rambla de Raval near the hotel. There you can enjoy the singing of habaneras, popular dinner and DJ night.
You can also take a look at the San Juan 2023 program to see all the activities that will take place in Barcelona that night.
Enjoy the verbena de San Juan in a sustainable way
Finally, if you decide to go to the beach, keep in mind that Barcelona’s beaches, such as la Barceloneta or Nova Icaria, are full of people participating in this tradition, but they don’t always pick up their waste.
At Hotel Arc la Rambla we are committed to sustainability and the environment, we share with you this post, Practical Guide for Sustainable Tourism: Coastline and Beaches, with some tips to enjoy the party, generating the least possible impact.
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