Event Details
Hogueras de San Juan – Alicante's Festival of Fire
From 20 to 24 June 2027, Alicante becomes a city of fire, gunpowder and passion. The Hogueras de San Juan (Valencian: Fogueres de Sant Joan) is the city's greatest festival, officially recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest. For months, neighbourhood committees build monumental papier-mâché and wooden sculptures that are spectacularly burned in the night of San Juan. The tradition dates back centuries: residents of Alicante would light bonfires at the summer solstice, dance around them and swim in the sea to welcome summer. Since 1928, the date has been officially declared the Fiestas de las Hogueras.
Highlights
- Daily Mascletà firecracker display at 14:00 at Plaza de los Luceros
- Plantà: the installation of monumental sculptures across the city
- Ofrenda de Flores: flower-offering parade on 21 and 22 June
- Spectacular Nit de l'Albà: one of the most impressive fireworks displays in Europe
- Bellea del Foc: election and presentation of the Festival Queen
- Nightly Verbenas and street parties in neighbourhood Barracas
- Cremà: burning of all sculptures in the night of 24 to 25 June
- International fireworks competition at Playa del Postiguet (25–29 June)
Program
The official program opens in early June with the lighting of the festive illuminations at Plaza del Ayuntamiento. The most intense phase begins roughly one week before 20 June with the start of the official Mascletà Competition at Plaza de los Luceros, held daily at 14:00. The Ofrenda de Flores takes place in two stages: 21 June (first committees, from 18:00) and 22 June (remaining committees and closing parade with the Bellea del Foc, from 18:00). On 23 June, the Nit de l'Albà lights up the night sky. The emotional peak is the Nit de la Cremà on the night of 24 June: at midnight a monumental rocket is fired from Castillo de Santa Bárbara, then the official bonfire at Plaza del Ayuntamiento is lit, followed by sculptures burning across all districts. Every evening from 22:00, traditional Verbenas are held in the neighbourhood Barracas.
Tickets
The Hogueras de San Juan is a public city festival. All main events including the Mascletà, Plantà, Ofrenda, Verbenas, Nit de l'Albà and Cremà are free of charge and open to everyone. Separate tickets from €25 are available for the accompanying Feria Taurina bullfighting events at the Alicante bullring.
Visitor Tips
- Book accommodation well in advance: Alicante fills up completely during the Hogueras.
- The Cremà night of 24 June is the unmissable moment; if you can only attend one day, make it this one.
- Arrive early at Plaza de los Luceros for the Mascletà; the experience is a unique sensory sculpture of sound and smoke.
- The city centre is closed to traffic during the main festival days; use public transport or walk.
- Try regional specialities: Coca amb tonyina (tuna flatbread), Arroz a banda and Mistela (sweet wine liqueur).
- One sculpture, the Ninot Indultat, is saved from the flames each year by public vote and displayed in the museum.
- Warm clothing is not needed; June in Alicante means Mediterranean summer heat of up to 30 °C.
