Festival de San Juan
Celebrating Saint John, patron saint of Sant Juan de Labritja
Every 24 June this normally quiet town comes alive with DJs and bands playing in the main square, BBQs, dances and large bonfires. There are also some people walking on hot coals if you can bare to watch.
Sant Joan de Labritja, know to many as St John the Baptist, is a key figure in Christianity and many cities and towns in Spain celebrate the birth of St John on 24 June. Described as having the unique practice of baptism for the forgiveness of sins, the Island of Ibiza celebrates St John by lighting fires, jumping through small fires and walking on hot coals. The fire is said to drive away the evil spirits and signifies purification and re-birth (baptism).
Although villages and towns all over the Island will celebrate this day, the main focus is on San Juan itself, with a morning mass and procession and, of course, a fireworks display in the evening.
