Celebrate the arrival of Summer with San Juan Day

A historic celebration

23 June marks the Summer Solstice as well as San Juan Day, the longest day of the year.

Since the dawn of civilisation, the night of the 23-24 June has been a major traditional celebration, usually involving bonfires. These bonfires represent the sun and are lit as a rite of purification. During the night other elements of importance are brought into play such as water which is held to have therapeutic properties once midnight has passed.

San Juan Day was originally a pagan festival which has since been appropriated by Christians. 23 June is now celebrated for the birth of John the Baptist, the prophet who heralded the birth of Christ. This ancient and traditional celebration has thus been maintained thanks to its appropriation by the Christian church.

A time of celebration

San Juan Day is still celebrated to this day in a number of countries, notably Spain where the 23 June is a major popular festival. San Juan Day also represents the start of the Spanish holiday season.

Fires are traditionally lit across the country during the evening. Other celebrations also occur in parallel depending on the region or city.

For example, in Catalonia (where they celebrate Sant Joan) a bonfire is a lit with a flame brought down from Mount Canigó. In the Balearic, a festival is held in the Ciutadella of Menorca from the 22 to 24 June, where you can see a horse show before singing and dancing to traditional folk music.

As for the Spanish Basque Country, the celebrations are held in Tolosa. This small town organises corrida, processions and traditional folk dancing for the occasion.

A truly memorable holiday

What is certain is that wherever you go you will enjoy warmth and conviviality.  San Juan Day in Spain is a unique experience that everyone should try at least once.

So don’t wait to book your stay in one of our Spanish camp-sites and come and enjoy a real celebration of summer.