Noche de San Juan
Sunday 23 June, Various Locations
June 24th is the Patron Saint’s day of John the Baptist or San Juan. It is widely celebrated all over the world including mainland Spain, and Ibiza is no exception. Being the patron saint of the town of San Juan, the fiesta and celebrations there are taken very seriously, but there are also celebrations in other parts of the island. The night of San Juan (La Noche de San Juan) is usually celebrated with music starting in the evening of the 23rd with bonfires and/or fireworks at midnight to see in the 24th. As it occurs just a few days after the Summer Solstice (the longest day on June 21st), it is also used as a celebration of the start of the summer.
Traditionally, and this still happens in some places, people jump over the bonfires, or run over hot coals, as a way of purifying the body and soul. Traditionally, you should throw into the fire something old that represents something you no longer want in your life or a piece of paper where you are meant to write those things you want to change. It is also customary in Ibiza to eat San Juan macaroni, made with curly noodles cooked in milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon rind. Other typical cuisine of Ibiza, such as orelletes, wine or traditional spirits are also eaten in family homes.
Sant Joan de Labritja
From 9pm to 4am there will be an artisan and creative market of recycled and handmade products. At 10.30pm Tom Mayor will perform live in concert. The parade of puppets will be begin at 11.45pm as well as the ritual of the four elements in the Plaza de España. At Midnight the Bonfires of San Juan or ‘Foguerons’ will start behind the church. Here you can jump the bonfires and purify your body and soul.
Once the bonfires are finished, the party will continue with DJs Djamal playing Disco, Funk & Soul on the old Town Hall Street, Javi Box and The Selecters with music from the 60s, 70s and 80s in the Plaza de España .
Ibiza Town
In Ibiza Town, San Joan is celebrated on the beaches of ses Figueretes and Talamanca. New to this year’s celebrations though, the council will distribute firewood and allow people to start bonfires in specifically allocated areas.
ses Figueretes Beach
In Ses Figueretes at 7pm, on the Julian Verdera Square next to the beach, activities begin with musical entertainment and workshops and games for the little ones. At 8.30pm there is the traditional tasting of the ‘macarrons’ of Sant Joan. From 10pm, DJ Alex Hinohouse will play.
Talamanca Beach
In the beach of Talamanca, there will also be tasting of macarrons de Sant Joan from 8.30pm and from 9.30pm Ricardito and the Latinos will play a live concert. In the Ses Figueres neighbourhood, located at the end of Talamanca beach, there will be a musical performance by Contra Band.
Sant Antoni
This year the celebration of the bonfires of San Juan will be at the beach of Caló des Moro. At 8pm the Ibiza Swing Lab will organize a Swing dance rally.
Santa Eulalia
Puig d’en Valls
At 6.30pm there are children’s workshops, at 8pm you can enjoy the contest of ‘macarrons’ of San Juan and a popular Sardinada with Ball Pages and a Windrose concert at 10.15pm, then the lighting of the bonfires of San Juan at midnight, behind the Church, in the great square.
Santa Gertrudis
There will be activities starting at 7pm with musical performances from Chris Martos, Ivan Domenech and DJ Fjordi Cardona. At midnight, the bonfires of San Juan will be lit.
Can Escandell
Activities begin at 6pm with a Petanque tournament. At 9pm there will be a women’s indoor soccer tournament. At 8.30pm there will be a circus for adults and children held by Party Planet and Avara. At 10.30pm, a festival with the group ‘The Queen Ibiza’ and at midnight, the lighting of the San Juan bonfire. There will also be no shortage of the traditional San Juan pasta dish ‘macarrons’.
Santa Eulària
There will be activities from 5pm to 7pm including children’s workshops in sa Font d’en Lluna, under the old bridge or Pont Vell, as well as workshops in the Punt Jove (Youth Club).
From 7.30pm to 8.30pm there is a concert with Lucy & Diamonds, in the street Isidoro Macabich. In the square of Isidor Macabich there will be a concert from the Blues Mafia and Saligardos and a performance of Es mals Esperits y Espiritrons. Finally, at midnight there will be the lighting of the bonfires of San Juan.
