San Juan 2018

19 Jun 2018

The city of Alicante celebrates this week between 19 and 25 June. Actually, the city has been in festive mood since the beginning of June but the highlight of the "Hogueras de San Juan" or in Valencian "Fogueres de Sant Joan" festivities takes place between 20 and 24 June.

The Hogueras in Alicante, like many other fiestas, have the familiar elements such as fireworks with the smashing mascletà, the meters high monuments (not called Fallas but Hogueras) that is being built and exhibited, the typical flower offering (ofrenda) at the Virgen del Remedio, the folkloric parade and the last day in the night of 24 to 25 June the so-called "cremà" or the burning of the Hogueras in the different areas of the city.

The word Hogueras literally means bonfires and has everything to do with the feast in honor of San Juan, known as John the Baptist. The name of the festivities "Hogueras de San Juan" means "bonfires of John the Baptist".

Each year the same activities take place in the order as:

The "Plantà" on June 20 or placing the statues / monuments (Hogueras)

The "Desperta distritos fogueriles" between 20 and 25 June is a wake-up call every morning at 8 am to awaken all party people in the city.

The "Ofrenda de flores" or the flower offering on 21 and 22 June.

The "Desfile Folclórico Internacional" or the folkloric parade with traditional costumes on 23th June.

The "Mascletàs" between 20th and 25th June at the Plaza de Los Luceros, or the bright fireworks show which is also a competition (concurso).

The "Palmera" fireworks show on the night of 24 June from Monte Benacantil (at midnight).

The "Cremà" or the burning of the statues / monuments on the night of 24th to 25th June.

Fireworks competition

Immediately after the Hogueras de San Juan festivities, the Concurso Internacional de Fuegos Artificiales or the international fireworks competition will begin on the evening of June 25th. Every night at midnight between June 25th and 29th, a fireworks show is given by various companies that also participate in a competition.

Other places

The Hogueras is not something exclusive for the city of Alicante, the capital of the province, but something that takes place in several places such as in Torrevieja, Guardamar del Segura, San Juan de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Dénia, Jávea, Calpe, Benidorm and Elche.