It really doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Barcelona, you will always find lots going on. The people are welcoming and the lifestyle is very lively, meaning an exciting stay for you. However, there is one time of year when the city really springs to life. The Festival of Saint John takes place on the evening of June 23 and if you happen to be in Spain’s second city at that time, you are in for a real treat.
The festival, also called “verbenas” meaning open air fiestas, is a celebration of the summer solstice. This is when the city prepares to welcome the hundreds of thousands of tourists that visit every year. It takes place on the eve of Saint John’s day – a public holiday in Catalonia. Being off from work the following next day, this is a night when the people don’t hold back in having fun.
The summer solstice is one of the most important of the year’s events and celebrations in its honour date back hundreds of years. It is tradition for fire to be raised during the festival, which represents abundance, purity and fertility. These traditions are kept alive today through firework shows and bonfires. These go on all throughout the city at this time of year.
Such is the celebration of fire that locals say you can even bring yourself good luck by burning something. We would urge caution while doing this, however. Linking the separate “verbenas” is a single flame, which is taken around all of Catalonia’s villages. It lights all of the fires in the same kind of way as the Olympic Flame
Couples will also be invited to do a spot of fire jumping. This, legend has it, will mean a long and happy life for both of you. All you have to do is leap over a fire with your loved one in hand – seven times! This may seem like asking for trouble, but the locals swear by it
Water is another important element of the festival, one that holds a very special meaning. Just like baptisms of Saint John, on this night in particular water will cleanse your sins. This has led to the belief that a swim will lead to lifelong happiness. So, don’t be surprised if you seen hundreds of students take to Barcelona’s beaches at midnight to go for a dip.
One tradition that takes importance above all others, however, is partying. No one goes to bed before sunrise during Sant John festival, and you’ll be expected to stay up through the night.
As we mentioned before, fireworks are a big part of the night. Every barrio of Barcelona will have its own display on June 23, which will be accompanied by an all-night bonfire. Old furniture and wood is collected to raise the bonfires, another symbol of the ‘old with the old in with the new’ nature of the night.
It is within the barrios that you will be able to experience the real party. Dancing in the town squares, street parties, music and entertainment are all on the cards, and always to the bang of the ‘petardos’. Petardos are firecrackers, which you can buy from about ten days from the festival at little huts that spring up around the city.
As always in Barcelona, food plays a bit part in proceedings. The most popular dish being the Catalonian Coca dessert. This is long bread filled with lots of tasty ingredients. Being one of the major celebrations of the year, this is a time when all Catalans push the boat out, so you will probably find lots of new foods to try.
The Festival of Sant John is one of the biggest events of the year in Catalonia. So, if you are planning on a trip to Barcelona this year, try to book online your vacation rentals barcelona and include in your stay June 23. This is when the city really comes to life, with firework shows, bonfires, streets parties and music. The festival is attached to lots of strong traditions and is a true taste of Catalonian culture. If this is something that you like the sound of, then Barcelona at this time of year is for you.
