How the night of San Juan is celebrated in Galicia
On the night of 23 to 24 June, Galicia fills up with bonfires. It is the night of San Juan, the shortest of the year and, for many, the most magical: fire on the beaches, queimada, wishes that burn and people leaping over the flames to leave the bad behind.
As in the summer verbenas, there is music and celebration until dawn, but San Juan has something more: its own rituals. Here we explain what they are and how to set up your own bonfire.
On San Juan, fire is not decoration: it is the star and the symbol of the whole night.
What the night of San Juan is
San Juan celebrates the summer solstice, the moment when the day is longest. It is a festival older than Christianity that over time became linked to the figure of John the Baptist. In Galicia it is lived with special intensity, especially on the coast and in A Coruña, where the beaches turn into a sea of bonfires.
The rituals: what is done and what it means
San Juan is not only about lighting a fire. Every gesture has its meaning, and this table sums up the best-known ones:
Ritual | What is done | What it symbolises |
|---|---|---|
The bonfire | It is lit and jumped over | Burning and leaving behind the bad of the year |
The queimada | The spirit is prepared with its spell | Warding off witches and evil spirits |
Wishes | They are written on paper and burned | Asking for the year ahead |
The seven springs | Washing your face with their water | Health and beauty for the year |
San Juan in Galicia and in the rest of Spain
In many parts of Spain San Juan is celebrated with fireworks and little else. In Galicia the rituals are kept: the queimada, the witches, the grilled sardines and the bonfire on the beach. It is that mix of fire, tradition and long night that makes it unique.
How to organise your own bonfire
Setting up a bonfire with the neighbours or the festival committee is simpler than it seems, but it is worth doing sensibly.
Permits and safety first
Many councils require you to notify the bonfire in advance and to respect safety distances. Keep a fire extinguisher or water nearby, and choose the spot well: not near trees or cars. Fire is the charm of the night, but also its only risk.
What music plays on San Juan
The soundtrack goes from the traditional to the current. The bagpipe adds the Galician touch early in the night, and later a DJ who keeps the party going keeps people on their feet until the sun comes up. If the celebration calls for an open-air club atmosphere, a mobile disco brings the sound and lights to the beach itself.
Fire, wishes and good music: with that, your night of San Juan is guaranteed.
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