Hogueras de San Juan

The Hogueras de San Juan (Les Fogueres de Sant Joan) are the official festivals of the city of Alicante, declared of International Tourist Interest. They are celebrated in June to welcome the summer, with their main days from June 20th to 24th. Their origin is linked to the agricultural tradition of burning old belongings during the summer solstice, but since 1928 they have transformed into a formal celebration inspired by the Fallas of Valencia, where art, satire, and fire are the main protagonists. Monumentos (Hogueras): The streets are filled with imposing monuments made of papier-mâché, wood, and cork, laden with social criticism and humor. They are erected on June 20th and are divided into categories, with the official hoguera in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento being the most notable. La Cremà (La nit del foc): This is the climax of the festival. At midnight on June 24th, a monumental fireworks palm tree launched from the castillo de Santa Bárbara signals the start of the burning of all the hogueras. During the fire, the banyà is a tradition, where firefighters cool down the public with water hoses. La Pólvora y la Música: Every day at 2:00 PM (from June 19th to 24th), the Mascletà in the Plaza de los Luceros is a vibrating, deafening spectacle of firecrackers and terrestrial rhythm. In the evenings, life moves to the "barracas" and "racós" for dinner and dancing. Actos Tradicionales: Highlights include the vibrant Ofrenda de Flores to the Virgen del Remedio (one of the oldest in Spain) and the international folklore parade.