Alicante San Juan
Fires of San Juan (Alicante)
The fiesta was declared official in 1928 . It includes the tradition
in Spain's Levante region of celebrating the arrival of summer
with open-air dances, which culminated with the lighting of bonfires
and were joined with the fiestas of St. John.
Before Sunday, 20th of June, the Fire Beauty is elected from among the beauties representing each Bonfire Commission. The fiesta begins on 20 June with the 'plantá' (preparation) of the bonfires and the barracks settled along the street, this marked area is where open-air dances are held and traditional dishes are offered.
The Bonfires of St. John is one of the many fiestas celebrated during the summer solstice.
The main event is the Entrance of the Bands Parade, which begins
at Luceros Gate.
On the 22nd of June takes place the Floral Offering to the Patron
Saint of Alicante, the Virgin de los Remedios, in the Luceros
square.
On the 23rd of June the international folklore parade representation
takes place.
On 24th of June happens the most expected event of this "fiestas"
the 'Nit del foc', or Night of the Fire, when the 'Bonfires' that
were placed on the streets and in the squares during the 'Cremá'
are burned. Before midnight, the 'Palmera', a spectacular pyrotechnics
show, takes place on Mount Benacantil.
Alicante guide