On the night of 23rd to 24th June, Barcelona fills up with fire, music and joy to celebrate one of its most magical traditions: The night of San Juan or as it is known in Catalonia, ‘la nit de Sant Joan’. This festival marks the start of summer with bonfires on the beach, fireworks, firecrackers and popular street parties all over the city.
The night of San Juan is one of the most eagerly awaited nights of the year, both by the citizens of Barcelona and by visitors and tourists. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the city in a different and symbolic way.
If you are going to be in Barcelona during the night of San Juan, in this blog we tell you what to do, where to celebrate it and how to make the most of the festival of San Juan this 2025.
What is the feast of San Juan?
But in order to celebrate the night of San Juan properly, you must first know what the celebration consists of.
The festival of San Juan, also known in Catalonia as the revetlla de Sant Joan, is a traditional celebration that takes place every year on the night of 23rd to 24th June. Although its origin is related to the arrival of summer, nowadays it mixes pagan and religious elements, and is experienced as a night of renewal, fire and energy.
The undisputed protagonist of the festival of San Juan is fire: bonfires lit in squares, streets and especially on the beach, symbolising the burning of the old to make way for the new. To this is added the sound of firecrackers, fireworks, music, open-air dinners and ‘coca de Sant Joan’, the typical sweet of this night. Don’t you know what ‘coca de Sant Joan’ is? We’ll tell you more about it later!
In Barcelona, the festival of San Juan is celebrated with special intensity, turning the city into a great festive scene where neighbours, families, groups of friends and tourists take to the streets to share one of the liveliest nights of the year.
What is the Sant Joan coca?
The ‘coca de Sant Joan’ is a traditional dessert that is a must during the festival. But what is this Catalan dessert? It is a kind of spongy dough, similar to a brioche, decorated with candied fruit, pine nuts, sugar and, on many occasions, filled with cream, custard or angel’s hair. Its oval shape and colour make it easily recognisable in all the city’s bakeries and patisseries in the days leading up to the festival.
Beyond its flavour, the coca de San Juan symbolises the spirit of sharing. It is common to buy it to take to a dinner with friends, to a family celebration or even to the beach, and enjoy it after the toast or with a glass of cava.
There are many versions, but they all have one thing in common: the coca de Sant Joan is a tradition that is savoured.
What to do in San Juan in Barcelona 2025?
Let’s get into the most important part, what to do to celebrate the night of San Juan following the tradition of the city of Barcelona.
The night of 23 June is one of the liveliest of the year in Barcelona. If you’re going to be in the city, here are some ways to enjoy the Sant Joan festival in 2025.
1. Enjoy the bonfires and fireworks on the beach in Barcelona during the night of San Juan
Barcelona’s beaches, such as Barceloneta, Bogatell and Nova Icària, are filled with bonfires and music. Celebrating Midsummer’s Eve on Barcelona’s beaches is one of the most popular plans, as locals and tourists alike gather there to have dinner, set off firecrackers and fireworks and welcome the summer by the sea.
2. Enjoy a verbena popular in the neighbourhoods
If you’re looking for a quieter option, we have another alternative for you. Many of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods organise their own festivals to celebrate San Juan with live music, dancing, popular food and activities for all ages. Some of the best-known verbenas are in Gràcia, Poblenou, Sants and Poble-sec, just a stone’s throw from Hotel Grums!
3. Open-air dinner during the festival of San Juan
Many places prepare special menus for the night of Sant Joan, and there are terraces with views that are ideal for watching the fireworks in the city. It is also traditional to organise dinners at home with family or friends, accompanied, of course, by coca de Sant Joan and cava.
What is the customary dinner on Midsummer’s Eve in Barcelona?
If you are thinking of organising a dinner to celebrate the night of San Juan you should prepare the typical dishes. It is usually a light, fresh dinner, designed to be shared with friends or family. It is usual to opt for simple dishes such as savoury ‘cocas’ (savoury cakes or roasted vegetables), pies, cold meats, salads, omelettes and bread with tomato. If the festival is held on the beach, many people bring picnics with sandwiches and cold tapas to dine under the fireworks.
The star dessert, without a doubt, is the coca de Sant Joan, accompanied by a glass of very cold cava. Dinner usually lasts until midnight, when the bonfires are lit, firecrackers are set off and the real fiesta begins.
4. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks during the night of San Juan
The sound of firecrackers is constant throughout the night. If you’re not a firecracker thrower, you can still enjoy the atmosphere from Barcelona’s beaches, a terrace or a viewpoint. Remember that you’ll find the best views in areas such as Montjuïc or the seafront promenade.
5. Extend Midsummer’s Eve with music and partying
After dinner, many people choose to continue the celebration on the beach or at one of the private parties or clubs that organise special events for San Juan. Some even set up DJ sets on terraces or rooftops. Midsummer’s Eve is a long night… and Barcelona lives it to the full.
San Juan is one of the most special nights of the year in Barcelona: fire, music, gastronomy and tradition come together to welcome the summer in a unique way. Whether it’s on the beach, at a neighbourhood street party or from a terrace with a view, the city offers countless ways to experience this celebration.
If you are thinking of visiting Barcelona around this time of the year, we hope we have helped you with this blog. Get ready for a magical night full of energy. And remember: the best thing about San Juan is sharing it.