The 23rd June marks one of the biggest days of the Spanish Calendar. A day filled with joy, celebrations and new beginnings. A day where the people celebrate San Juan, or Sant Joan in Balearic Islands. An exhilarating display of fire, demons, water that combines a plethora of superstitions with fun-filled activities. If this has caught your attention, which it should have, then keep reading to discover how you can join in this unmissable event that marks the start of the summer on the shores of Majorca.

What is Sant Joan

Sant Joan is celebrated all around the stunning island of Majorca however by far the biggest festivities take place in the island’s capital of Palma, which is a short 20-minute drive from our hotels in Palmanova and Santa Ponsa and promises to be well worth the trip. In front of the capitals prestigious cathedral, you can find Parc de Mar which will host a number of events including the Correfoc with the Demons on Sunday 23rd June starting around 22:00 and Live Music from 23:30.

Bonfires on the Beach

The ‘Fire’ festival that won’t disappoint. One of the main aspects of the Sant Joan festival is the multitude of bonfires that are alight on the beach. According to the superstition, those that write down the things that they want to forget on a piece of paper before burning it and jumping over the bonfire 3 times will be cleansed of their sins. Whilst the bonfires aren’t only used for mystical purposes, as the locals use the fire to cook typical spanish meats.

A Midnight Mediterranean Dip

Join the hundreds that swim in the sea as the clock strikes twelve.

Another part of this eclectic festival is the Midnight dip in the Mediterranean. Beachgoers descend upon the sea, as the clock strikes 12, to jump over precisely 7 waves in another superstition that will make your wishes heading into the summer season become a reality. Whilst temperatures at the end of June are relatively luscious in Majorca, you could say that the water temperature is very refreshing… So for those brave enough to take the plunge, be prepared!

The Daunting Dimonis

Whilst bonfires and dipping in the sea are things that we relatively familiar with back home, one thing that is bound to catch you by surprise is the Correfoc. Essentially a bunch of demons parade around the streets with pyrotechnics in hand, scaring all that cross their path. Enthralling scenes that would give any Health and Safety officer a heart attack. There’s no need to worry too much as the parade isn’t dangerous and takes place in front of Palma Cathedral at 10pm. Afterwards you can either make your way to the beach for the bonfires and Mediterranean dip or stay for some live music.

A Party Closer to Home

The region where our Gran Isla Hotels are located is also synonymous with this fantastic Spanish party. Sant Joan is the patron saint of the municipality of Calvia and for this reason the region celebrates even more than most. Up in the town of Calvia around the church of St. John the Baptist, you can find a wealth of activities on the 23rd and 24th which are a lot closer to our accommodation by the beach.

This festival guarantees a fun-filled evening for all of the family in what can be described as one of the events of the year. The chance to discover this authentic fiesta only comes around once a year, so our advice would be to grasp the opportunity with both hands and immerse yourself in a wealth of Spanish culture and food so that you can party the night away with an incredible atmosphere.

Celebrate Sant Joan with Gran Isla Hotels.