Barcelona Sant Joan 2018

Saint John´s Eve

Known as Saint John´s Eve around the world and Sant Joan in Barcelona and Catalonia, this holiday is known for  its crazy atmosphere and beach celebrations. If you are in Barcelona during on June 23-24, there is no way to miss the date - the street celebration and constant fireworks will remind you! For a perfect holiday, get the most unique experience with BE Apartment in the best luxury apartments in Barcelona and other cities, for your security, pleasure and comfort. 

The Sant Joan day celebrates the beginning of summer in Catalonia, placing much emphasis is placed on the Summer Solstice - the longest day and the shortest night of the year. It is one of the most important festivals for Catalans. On the night of Sant Joan the sun reaches its highest point, before starting to fall. The sun has been traditionally seen as a symbol of fertility and wealth and therefore must have strength. The strength is provided by the bonfires and fireworks lit all over Barcelona and other Catalan towns. It is said that there are 3 symbols of Sant Joan: fire, water and herbs. Fire symbolizes purity, and for this reason the fires are lit. Water symbolizes healing so on this day many people start swimming in the sea. The herbs symbolize the remedy and the legends affirm that for the night of Sant Joan their healing qualities are enhanced a hundred times. Many of these rituals are an old legend and is not practiced anymore.

However, the element that you can not miss in modern Sant Joan celebration is fire. Sant Joan is often described by the Catalans as "la Nit del Foc" - meaning the "Night of Fire". The main aspect of the celebrations are the fireworks, you will find temporary firework shops open throughout the city, with queues on the streets! Many groups of families and friends organize their own parties  known as "Revetlles". Barcelona is a city with lots of balconies and terraces, therefore those with the largest balcony or the best views of the city invite friends and family to see the fireworks, have a dinner and dance the night away. If you do not have a friend's party to go to, the most common place for Sant Joan celebration is the beach. The Barceloneta beach begins to fill up during the afternoon with people bringing picnics to see the fireworks and listen to the music in chiringuitos (beach bars).

During the first part of the Sant Joan night, the restaurants along the beach put extra tables, chairs and decorations. The only official meal of the Sant Joan Day is "Coca". These are bread-style cakes that you'll see in the bakeries throughout the city. There are several types of Cocas available - both sweet and salty, some contain crunchy ingredients, fruits and nuts or cream. The ingredient that they all share in common is the aniseed giving all the Cocas a distinctive anise flavor.

Enjoy the startof the summer and celebrate Sant Joan with us! Do not miss this opportunity to enjoy Barcelona and get to know the city better with BE Apartment. If you´re visitng Barcelona, take a look at our luxury apartments that we have throughout the city.