On June 23rd, the traditional Sant Joan festival is celebrated. Barcelona fills with bonfires, popular festivities, and family gatherings. Children, and even adults, have fun throwing fireworks to celebrate the summer solstice, the most optimistic time of the year.
YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFO AT: Sant Joan Festival 2026
VERBENA DE SANT JOAN 2026 EN BARCELONA
WHERE TO CELEBRATE THE SANT JOAN FESTIVAL IN BARCELONA
As tradition dictates, you should prepare for the shortest night of the year. Here are some ideas to enjoy this magical night in Barcelona with children:
ARRIVAL OF THE FLAME FROM CANIGÓ Arrival of the flame from Canigó, with L’Àliga de la Ciutat and the Gegants de la Ciutat. While dancing, they collect the flame with which they will ignite the bonfires in the city. On June 23rd, the reception party for the flame from Canigó begins in Plaça Sant Jaume. There will be Sardana dances and music, dances of L’Àliga and the Giants of the City. At 5:00 p.m., the Flame departs from Camp Nou to open the celebrations. At 6:00 p.m., it arrives at Plaça de Sant Jaume, where it is welcomed by the city’s Giants, Big-Heads, and the Eagle, accompanied by traditional dances and a human tower pillar (casteller pilar). At 6:20 p.m., the reading of the message and the official speeches take place, highlighting this tradition’s strong connection to Catalan culture and language. At 6:30 p.m., the Flame begins to be distributed throughout the city to light all the bonfires, symbolizing the unity of Barcelona and the strength of this magical night.
Sant Joan in El Raval. In El Raval, a lot of activities will be organized starting at 7 PM. A parade will begin from Sant Jaume Street and end at Rambla del Raval and there will be a havanera singing at Rambla del Raval, and at 10 PM, there will be a meal followed by music by a DJ starting at 11 PM.
POPULAR NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVITIES. Bonfires in the squares and street intersections are the most striking and prominent element of the Sant Joan celebration in Barcelona, with most of them lit with the flame of Canigó. If you want to check the complete program of bonfires and neighborhood festivities by districts, you can do so here: Sant Joan Festival Program in Barcelona by Neighborhoods.
And where the atmosphere will always be vibrant is in any of the best beaches in Barcelona.
YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFO AT: Sant Joan Festival 2026
WHERE TO BUY FIREWORKS FOR SANT JOAN IN BARCELONA
The Sant Joan celebration wouldn’t be the same without rockets, thunderclaps, firecrackers, fountains, sparklers, and more. There are fireworks retail locations throughout the city. You can check the one nearest to your home and their opening hours at this link: Fireworks Retail Locations in Barcelona. And while you’re at it, take a look at the tips for a safe verbena.
THE BEST SANT JOAN COCAS IN BARCELONA
The coca de Sant Joan is the gastronomic tradition of the night: the most common one is the coca de brioche and candied fruit, but the coca de brioche and cream, and the coca de chicharrones are also popular.
YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFO AT: Sant Joan Festival 2026
ARTISAN SANT JOAN COCAS · PAUL
Boulangerie, café and restaurant PAUL presents a limited edition of Sant Joan cocas, handmade and baked fresh the same day they’re sold, blending its French savoir-faire with this Catalan tradition. The collection, based on PAUL’s iconic brioche adapted to local taste, comes in three varieties: sugar and almond coca, cream coca, and dried fruit coca. The dough, made with a 24-hour slow fermentation, is prepared daily in the bakery using natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives, and is never frozen, which is why production is limited to guarantee maximum freshness. Days: June 22 and 23, 2026. Hours: PAUL Rambla, Monday to Sunday from 7:30 to 20:00; PAUL Diagonal, Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00. Location: PAUL Rambla (Rambla de Catalunya, 29) and PAUL Diagonal (Avda. Diagonal, 433), Barcelona. Ages: all. Price: check in store. More info: PAUL Sant Joan Cocas.
OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE SANT JOAN HOLIDAY 2026
In our agenda of the best plans to do with children in Barcelona, you will find all the activities organized during these perfect days for families: museums, parks, beaches, and much more.
