Bonfires of San Juan

The coming of summer is celebrated in Alicante with the bonfires of San Juan (Las fallas).
With a spectacular display of fireworks, music and colour, thousands of people flood the city streets where they and fascinated tourists experience this age-old fiery fiesta.
Traditionally, the people of Alicante would flock to the countryside in order to celebrate the arrival of summer. They would gather for a festive dinner and wait for nightfall before taking a midnight swim in the sea.
Nowadays, midnight is when the fun begins. The town bursts into life with thousands of thunderous firecrackers being let off in the streets as bonfires are lit to dance around and fireworks’ displays fill the night sky.
Since 1928, and for several days each June, Alicante resounds to the spectacle of huge bonfires burning on the beaches through the night. The fire devours enormous cardboard and wooden figures which go up in flames as revellers party the night away and teenagers and children jump over the fires.