The “Nit de Sant Joan” or also called “La revetlla de Sant Joan” in Catalan refer to the same event – the festival feast of Saint John the Baptist which celebrates the solstice Spanish midsummers eve during the evening and night of 23rd June every year. A magic night.
La revetlla de Sant Joan is one of Barcelona’s biggest parties. It’s a night of Fire, Fireworks, Coca cakes and Cava. Sant Joan is very much a family and friends celebration and there are no major public fireworks displays at Sant Joan in Barcelona except a small display from the roof of the town hall square Plaza St. Jaume around 7.30pm to welcome the ·flame of Canigò.”
If you do not have a friend’s party to go to, the most common place for people to head to for Sant Joan is the beach. Barceloneta beach begins filling up during the early evening on 23 June , with groups who bring picnics to watch the fireworks displays and listen to the music playing in the chiringuitos (beach bars).
During the early part of the evening the local restaurants along the beach front put out extra tables, chairs and decorations.
As the beach tends to get busy, it is a good idea to head down there before it gets dark to stake your claim on a spot – around 21:00. Bring blankets and warm layers for when the sun goes down.
The only official food of Sant Joan is called the ‘Coque’. These are bread style cakes that you will see in bakery windows throughout the city.
Hundreds of young people will occupy the beaches in Barcelona, music, drinks, baths in the sea, moon, fire,…etc. This is a local festival that must be experienced in your stay in Barcelona. Sure you will stay until the sunrise! 🙂
Our hostel, Amistat Beach Hostel, is the best location for join this festival. We are located in Poblenou, a few metres from Bogatell Beach. Do not miss it! Be part of the catalan culture!
