The Festival of Sant Joan in Barcelona, or Saint John, officially June 24, is celebrated in many countries on the eve prior, or June 23, and Spain is no exception. Although celebrated throughout all of Spain, Catalonia is especially proud of its traditional take on this day – not to mention any excuse at practicing pyrotechnics! Of all the symbolism present during this holiday, the most important are that of fire – in fact, it’s given the nickname “La Nit del Foc” in the local Catalan language, or “Night of Fire.”

Bonfires on the beach, traditional Catalan sweets called coques (pronounced “cocas” – sweet dough with candied fruit, pine nuts and powdered sugar – recipe here!) and general revelling are the rule of the day on this feast which commemorates the birth of Saint John the Baptist.

An old pagan holiday absorbed into Christianity, the Festival of Sant Joan in Barcelona also commemorates the longest day of the year – that is, the shortest evening. And although the night of June 23 may be the year’s shortest, it seems like it never gets completely dark – besides the beach bonfires is another rowdy Catalan tradition – “correfocs“- or literally “running fires“. These high speeds, portable firecrackers whip and reel round and round, producing sharp sounds, bursting cracks and of course, shooting flames of fire! And if that isn’t enough, the local tradition in Barcelona is to run around and underneath those throwing the fire!

Many locals will celebrate by getting together on friends’ terraces to watch the fireworks. Others may gather round the crowded plazas throughout the old city. For those visiting Barcelona or those residents without terraces, the beach is your best bet. So, a word to the wise, for those with children, go to the beaches early to claim your spot, to enjoy the bonfires, and to make an early exit before the serious correfocs start up!

Worried you may stay up too late enjoying all the fun and festivities? Don’t worry – June 24 in Barcelona is a national holiday! You can check out all of the programmed festivities on the Barcelona City Hall website here. Enjoy!

Der Beitrag Night of Fun & Fire! The Festival of Sant Joan in Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Something magic will happen in Barcelona, something for what most of locals are preparing 4-6 month before and the last nights even don’t sleep. And if you ask any travel guide what is that important date takes place in August will say Festa Major de Gràcia.

The biggest and relatively pretty young – Festa Major de Gràcia has a very beautiful story that has started at the small village that already doesn’t exist ‘Vila de Gràcia’ or “Villa de Gracia” in Spanish. A small rural village, in the XIX century experienced an extraordinary mutation as a town of artisans, workers and small traders. Originally celebrated on 15th of May in honor of  San Isidro it passed to 15th of August to celebrate Assumption of Mary, even chronographs have not agreed why.

Enjoy the Festa de Gràcia in Barcelona, the best neighborhood festival in the city

So what Festa Major de Gràcia celebration is about?

Actually it is a kind of competition between some streets chosen by jury. Ok, so what else? The neighbors of each street choose a theme, it could be a fantasy, a movie or a fairytale and decorate their streets the way they can. And all, including the theme is a secret, only in August the night before the celebration all they go out to decorate the street putting in all their love and creativity.

The next day the big competition begins and after one week have passed the jury choose a street that wins. But meanwhile, all the Gràcia neighborhood and the decorated streets have their own celebration all day and night. Moreover, at the small and cozy squares they used to do some activities or concerts. There are big heads called “Capgrossos” in Catalan, giants, fire shows and the traditional Catalan human towers, known as “Castellers”. This celebration is one of the most popular street festivals in Barcelona among locals and just the way people from Barcelona show how much they love this tradition and their story.

The Generalitat of Catalonia has declared the Festa Major of Gràcia in Barcelona a Traditional Festival of National Interest

Der Beitrag Festa Major de Gràcia in Barcelona: Tradition and Celebrations erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.