When you buy a villa on the Costa Blanca and move to your new home, you can enjoy many new experiences and traditions, both local and national. One of the national religious traditions is the festival of San Juan. This annual celebration is full of joy, tradition, and fire!
The Fiesta de San Juan Bautista celebrates the birth of John the Baptist on the 23rd and 24th of June and coincides with the summer solstice. The main festivities on the evening of 23rd June blend Christian customs with ancient traditions. Those who buy a property in Spain near the coast can enjoy joining the celebrations on their nearest beach. Throughout the Costa Blanca, popular celebrations take place in coastal towns including Moraira, Javea, Denia, Calpe, Altea and Alicante.
On the Costa Blanca, for example, in our lovely coastal town of Moraira, the party takes place on the beach. It includes local residents of all nationalities, and tourists are welcome too. If you are buying a villa on the Costa Blanca, try your luck and make a wish for your dream property during this fiesta. Hamiltons Real Estate will help you with that as well.
The main tradition of this fiesta is the lighting of large bonfires. In coastal towns, many people bring picnics to the beach, but town councils will often ensure that a bar service with reasonably priced food and drinks is available to everyone. A mobile disco or live music may be set up, and everyone dances around the fires on the beach.
The bonfires symbolise purification and are believed to ward off evil spirits. As the flames light the night, there is music, delicious food, and much laughter. When you find a property for sale on the Costa Blanca, you can look forward to participating in many of these traditional evenings.
As the evening progresses, many people write their wishes down before burning them in the flames of the fire. Others – usually young men proving their bravery – jump over the fire while making a wish. However, for those wishes to come true and to bring luck, health, and prosperity, you must also participate in the Banyada (the midnight swim). This is when everyone on the beach rushes into the sea at midnight. Following this, a fireworks display lights up the sky, and dancing continues throughout the night.
Markets and stalls often serve traditional snacks such as churros, buñuelos, fresh seafood, and barbecue grilled meats, filling the air with the smell of delicious treats. There may also be parades through the streets featuring gigantes y cabezudos (giants and large-headed figures), while the towns are filled with traditional music. This is when you find a house for sale in Spain and really feel like you are part of the local community.
Experiencing San Juan is just one wonderful reason to start your search for a villa for sale on the Costa Blanca and embrace the Spanish lifestyle, beautiful countryside, blue skies, clear Mediterranean waters, and mild climate. There are more than 300 days of sunshine each year on the Costa Blanca, and the richness of its local traditions and history is well worth exploring.
So, when you buy a villa on the Costa Blanca and are looking for a local tradition to become part of, the Fiesta of San Juan is a must. Burn your wish, jump the flames, take a midnight swim, and enjoy one of Spain's most memorable summer celebrations while finding your dream home!
San Juan is celebrated every year on the evening of 23rd June and continues into the early hours of 24th June. The bonfires, fireworks, music, and midnight swim are the highlights of the celebrations.
Many coastal towns celebrate San Juan, including Moraira, Javea, Denia, Calpe, Altea and Alicante. Most celebrations take place on the beaches, with bonfires, live music, food stalls, and fireworks.
The Costa Blanca north is served by both Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport and Valencia Airport. Depending on where you buy your property, travelling to your new home usually takes between one and one-and-a-half hours from either airport.
Property prices vary depending on the location, size, and views. Apartments generally start from around €180,000, while villas can range from approximately €350,000 to well over €2 million for luxury homes in sought-after coastal locations.
Alongside over 300 days of sunshine each year, residents enjoy beautiful beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, a relaxed lifestyle, excellent outdoor activities, welcoming international communities, and traditional Spanish fiestas such as San Juan throughout the year.
Updated July 2026 by Hamiltons Real Estate.
