Photo: 20minutos.es
Looking for ideas to celebrate San Juan’s Eve in Barcelona this 2025? On June 23rd, the night before San Juan, Barcelona lights up and comes alive to celebrate the beginning of summer.
June 24th is a holiday in Catalonia, so having to wake up early the next day won’t be an excuse to skip staying up all night or taking a midnight dip at the beach, as tradition demands!
In this guide for San Juan’s Eve 2025 in Barcelona, I’ll give you 9 great ideas to fully enjoy the “Nit del Foc” (Night of Fire). Activities, food, and celebrations you can’t miss on June 23rd, 2025.
Don’t miss out!
The San Juan festivities start with the special ritual known as the Flama Canigó (Canigó Flame). Did you know no bonfires can be lit before this flame arrives in Barcelona? This tradition began back in 1963. A flame that’s kept burning all year at Castellet de Perpinyà is taken to the top of Mount Canigó early in the morning on June 23. Afterward, it’s delivered to towns across Catalonia.
Once it arrives, the fire is renewed and then passed out to volunteers who carry it to light San Juan bonfires in their own towns and neighborhoods. Each town has its unique celebration. In 2025, the flame will arrive in Barcelona around 5:00 PM on June 23 (time to be updated), starting near Camp Nou and heading towards Sant Jaume Square, where a welcoming party takes place.
Almost a month before San Juan, you’ll see stalls all over the city selling fireworks, rockets, and firecrackers—practically on every street corner! This is one of the most popular activities during San Juan. Families and groups of friends gather on the streets to light firecrackers and shoot fireworks into the sky. Expect lots of noise!
This year, Barcelona will again have a stall selling silent fireworks, perfect for pets and anyone sensitive to loud noises. Last year, it was set up by “La Traca” in Plaça del Molin. They’ll soon announce this year’s locations. Meanwhile, you can check out their 2025 catalog.
Enjoy the good weather on the GREEN terrace of Maná75. Sea breeze, smell of rosemary and the flavor of paellas…
Discover the paradise of La Barceloneta!
Lighting bonfires, burning away negativity, and even carefully jumping over small flames are central traditions of San Juan’s Eve. The idea is that fire cleanses and creates space in your life for new opportunities. Throw away anything that bothers you or that you no longer need, including bad vibes and negative thoughts.
During the “Nit del Foc” (“Night of Fire”), controlled bonfires are usually lit in neighborhoods and on beaches. However, in 2022 bonfires were restricted because of fire risks, allowing only those officially organized by neighborhoods. We’ll keep this section updated for 2025 with the latest rules and locations.
Another popular activity during San Juan night is the big neighborhood meals happening across Barcelona. Don’t be surprised if you see tables with tablecloths and lots of chairs set up in the middle of a plaza or along the streets!
Coming together, sharing food, and having a full stomach before the celebration really gets going is key. Plus, many neighborhoods also set up areas with music and even small outdoor concerts.
Restaurants are popular spots for Barcelona families on San Juan night. A delicious dinner gives you the energy to stay awake through the celebrations. At Maná 75, you can enjoy some of Barcelona’s tastiest paellas with your family.
Maná 75 is a stylish yet relaxed restaurant with an open kitchen. It even has Europe’s longest line of paella pans! Located right next to San Sebastián Beach, it’s perfect for a calmer San Juan evening. They offer more than 15 tasty paella recipes, with options including seafood, vegetable, and meat. Be sure to reserve your table early!
× Starter
× Main dish
× Dessert
× Coffee
Perfect to try the specialty of the house: PAELLA!
You can’t celebrate San Juan without enjoying the traditional Catalan Coca, a special pastry that’s sweet or savory and famous around this time. Recipes vary widely, from the classic versions to modern twists like cream-filled, whipped cream, candied fruit, and even pork crackling versions.
To be considered a true coca, the dough must be twice as long as it is wide. About a week before June 23rd, local bakeries and markets start selling these tasty treats. Some premium and very popular bakeries in Barcelona include Pastisseria Hofmann in the Gothic Quarter, Jon Cake, and Pastelería Carrió on Carrer de Bailén.
The beaches in Barcelona are the main gathering spots along the Mediterranean coast for San Juan night. After lighting bonfires, it’s traditional to jump into the sea at midnight. Taking this nighttime swim is said to bring good health and help your wishes come true.
It’s normal for Barcelona’s beaches to be crowded, so my advice is to choose less busy beaches like San Sebastián Beach or even travel slightly further out to Castelldefels Beach. It’s also a good idea to arrive early to claim your spot on the sand.
Every year, more people choose quiet or silent fireworks out of respect for pets and those sensitive to loud noises. However, San Juan night is still one of the noisiest nights of the year.
Firecracker bangs often start days before June 24, so the best option is leaving the city to find peace and quiet. Some pet-friendly recommendations include Masía El Pinatell in Berga, Els Roures Berguedà in Berga, or Hotel Molí de la Torre in Vallès Oriental. Plus, it’s a perfect reason to plan a weekend getaway!
Beach bars, called chiringuitos, are another favorite spot during San Juan celebrations in Barcelona. If you’re unsure where to go, check out our article on: Beach Bars and Restaurants in Barcelona: The Complete 2025 Guide.
This year, the Barcelona City Council has again banned beach bars from extending their usual hours, throwing special parties, or setting up extra bars—rules first introduced during the pandemic that remain in place. Still, you can enjoy drinks and tapas during regular hours. I recommend places like Pez Vela, Camping Mar, or Xiringuito Escribà. But if you want a really delicious rice dish, the terrace at Maná 75 is the best choice.
Surprise your loved ones with a unique and special gift: a culinary experience featuring the most famous paellas in Barcelona.
Now you know about all the exciting plans for San Juan night, but do you know why we celebrate it? Where does this tradition come from? I wasn’t going to leave you curious, so here’s the explanation!
San Juan’s Eve mixes two traditions: the night before Saint John’s Day (a Christian celebration) and the summer solstice (the longest day of the year). Put simply, San Juan night is the Christian version of an ancient pagan holiday, celebrating the sun’s power and energy through fire.
Besides fire, water and herbs are also very important during this night. That’s why tradition says you should swim in the sea at midnight and sleep with laurel or rosemary under your pillow. According to the Bible, it’s the day Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, lit a bonfire to announce his son’s birth.
The most magical thing about San Juan night is that you can celebrate it however you like. Whether at the beach, at home with family, or enjoying food with friends, it all depends on you and how you prefer to celebrate the tradition.
You don’t need to wait for special events beyond what I’ve described here. Simply gather your loved ones, head out into the streets, and enjoy eating, drinking, sharing, and having fun in the festive chaos. What’s my favorite plan? Without a doubt, a big dinner at Maná 75 with my friends, enjoying some cocktails on their terrace, and then ending the night at San Sebastián Beach with fireworks and a midnight swim.
Lover of Mediterranean gastronomy and Barcelona's culture. Full time taster of new flavors, places and experiences.
Be the first to know the best restaurants and events in Barcelona
