Las Hogueras

When is Las Hogueras?

The festivities kick off each year on June 20 and don't die down until June 24.

Where is Las Hogueras?

While celebrations of San Juan pop up all over Spain, head to the Mediterranean coast's Alicante for the craziest and most famous of them all.

Las Hogueras Traditions

The most famous part of Las Hogueras de San Juan is not surprisingly the blazing hogueras (bonfires). Traditionally, these hogueras were nothing more than piles of junk and old furniture collected during massive house-cleaning. Constructed of wood and paper maché, today's hogueras are elaborate works of art reminiscent of the massive structures of Valencia's Las Fallas.

On the big night of las hogueras, a palm tree shaped firework is set off from the picturesque Alicante castle to mark the beginning of the fiestas with a literal bang. From that moment on, Alicante's 88 hogueras light up the night one by one. Traditionally, once the fire was blazing, you had to jump seven times around the flames or go in the water, superstitions which resulted in the magical atmosphere that continues to shroud the night of San Juan.

Although the fires eventually die down - nowadays thanks to the firemen - the party continues throughout Alicante for several days and nights. Rockets blast off, balloons float through the air, parades snake through the streets, and fireworks festively illuminate the sky each night at midnight. Finally, there is an annual competition to elect the next Belleza del Fuego (Beauty of the Fire) who then serves as the festival's queen along with her six ladies of honor.

History of Las Hogueras

This tradition has been going on for centuries, but las hogueras and the accompanying festivities that you see today have existed in their present form since 1928. The celebratory bonfires were originally part of an agricultural pagan ritual marking June 21, the longest day of the year. Las hogueras' religious undertones and dedication to San Juan (Saint John) came as an afterthought, as Spain's government wasn't content until they could substitute the festivities' pagan origin for a Christian one.