Alicante is preparing for another unforgettable edition of the Hogueras de Sant Joan (Bonfires of Saint John), the city’s biggest festival and one of the most spectacular celebrations in Spain.
Combining giant artistic monuments, fireworks, music, parades, traditional
dress and local gastronomy, the festival attracts thousands of visitors every year and transforms Alicante into a non-stop celebration.
Les Fogueres de Sant Joan are recognised as an important part of Alicante’s cultural heritage and remain one of the city’s most treasured traditions.
If you are new to the Costa Blanca or planning to visit Alicante in June, here is a guide to the main events and traditions of Hogueras 2026.
What are the Hogueras?
The origins of the festival can be traced back to ancient midsummer celebrations linked to the summer solstice.
Today, the festival revolves around the hogueras, huge temporary monuments built by local commissions. These colourful structures combine art, sculpture, satire and social commentary before being burned during the famous Cremà on the night of 24 June.
The city is divided into districts, each with its own commission, barraca and racó, where members gather throughout the festival to eat, drink, socialise and celebrate.
Key dates for Hogueras 2026
The official programme begins well before the main festival days.
Highlights include the Pregón de Fiestas (Opening Proclamation) on 5 June and the colourful Desfile del Ninot (Ninot Parade) on 6 June.
Other notable events before the main celebrations include:
- 7 June: Mascletà de Pólvora Tot l’Any and Mostra de Folklore Alacantí
- 13 June: Special mascletà on Gran Vía and the Entrada de Bandas y Desfile de Comisiones (Bands and Commission Parade)
- 16 June: Arribada del Foc (Arrival of Fire) and the Hogueras Concert at ADDA
- 18 June: First official mascletà in Plaza de los Luceros and opening of the Mercadito de Fogueres (Hogueras Market)
*A mascletà is a traditional daytime fireworks display known for its powerful noise and vibrations.
The five main days of the festival
The biggest celebrations take place between 20 and 24 June.
20 June: Plantà day
The Plantà Oficial (Official Installation) marks the moment when all the adult hogueras and barracas must be completed.
It is also the traditional day for eating coca amb tonyina with fresh bacores (brevas), one of Alicante’s most beloved festival traditions.
21 and 22 June: Awards and flower offering
Judges visit the monuments and announce the winners in each category.
The Ofrenda de Flores a la Virgen del Remedio (Flower Offering to Our Lady of Remedy) also begins, with thousands of participants parading through the city in traditional dress.
23 June: Folklore and celebration
The city hosts the Dansà d’Alacant (Traditional Alicante Dance) and the Desfile Folklórico Internacional (International Folklore Parade), while barracas and racós continue celebrating late into the night.
24 June: The Cremà
The final day of Hogueras begins with one last mascletà before the evening celebrations.
At midnight, Alicante watches one of its most iconic moments as the monumental Palmera fireworks display launches from Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
Immediately afterwards, the Cremà begins and the city’s hogueras are set alight, bringing the festival to a dramatic conclusion.
Fireworks over Postiguet Beach
The celebrations continue after the Cremà with a series of nightly fireworks displays on Playa del Postiguet.
This year’s programme includes displays from:
- 25 June: Pirotecnia Zaragozana
- 26 June: Pibierzo
- 27 June: Hermanos Ferrández
- 28 June: Pirotecnia Alto Palancia
- 29 June: Fuegos Artificiales del Mediterráneo
All displays begin at 00:00.
More than just fireworks
While visitors often associate Hogueras with fire and fireworks, the festival is also a celebration of Alicante’s culture and identity.
Traditional elements include:
- Belleas and Damas de Honor
- Nanos i Gegants (Giants and Big Heads)
- Traditional Valencian dances
- Artisan costumes
- Satirical monuments
- Live music and parades
- Barracas and racós
- Daily mascletàs
Together, these traditions create one of the most unique festivals in Spain.
A festival every expat should experience
For expats living on the Costa Blanca, Hogueras offers a chance to experience Alicante at its most colourful and authentic.
Whether you are watching a mascletà in Plaza de los Luceros, enjoying a slice of coca amb tonyina in a barraca or witnessing the Cremà for the first time, the festival provides an unforgettable insight into local culture.
