When you buy a villa in 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 of San Juan Bautista celebrates the birth of John the Baptist on the 23rd and 24th of June and coincides with the June 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.
In Costa Blanca, for example, in our lovely coastal town of Moraira, the party takes place on the beach. It includes city residents of all nationalities, and tourists are welcome, too. If you are buying a villa in Costa Blanca, try your luck and make a wish for your dream property during this fiesta, Hamiltons will help you as well.
The main tradition of this fiesta is the lit large bonfires. In coastal towns, many people bring picnics to the beach, but town councils will often also ensure that a bar service with reasonably priced food and drinks is available to all. A mobile disco or live music may be set up, and everyone dances around the fires on beaches. The bonfires symbolize 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 villa for sale in the Costa Blanca, you can look forward to participating in many of these traditional evenings.
As the evening progresses, many people will write their wishes down to burn in the flames of the fire, and others – usually young men proving their prowess – will jump into 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 Bath. 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.
Market and stalls will often serve traditional snacks like churros, buñuelos, or fresh seafood; BBQ grilled meats may also fill the air with the smell of delicious treats. There may also be parades through the streets featuring gigantes y cabezudos (large-headed figures and giants and the towns will be filled with traditional music. This is when you find a house for sale in Spain and feel like you are part of the community.
Experiencing San Juan is just one wonderful reason to start your search for a villa for sale in the Costa Blanca and embrace the Spanish lifestyle and celebrations of the beautiful countryside, blue skies, clear seas, and mild climate. There are over 300 days of sunshine annually in Costa Blanca, and the richness of local traditions and history is well worth exploring.
So, when you buy a villa in 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 find your dream home!!!
Information from your Hamiltons Real Estate team - 2024
