The Hogueras de San Juan Festival

This is the city’s most important celebration, officially declared as of International Tourist Interest. Its origin lies in the tradition of burning useless objects with the arrival of the summer solstice.

Throughout the city, over 200 large satirical papier mâché statues are set up.

These will go up in smoke on the 24th June during the spectacular “Night of Burning” or “Noche de la Cremà“, alongside the popular “Banyà” or “soaking” as firefighters put out the blazes.

The celebrations include events such as the “Mascletàs” (a stunning fireworks and firecrackers competition held from the 20th to the 24th in the Plaza de los Luceros square at 2pm), the proclamation known as the Pregón, the setting up of the bonfires known as “La Plantà”, the procession of the effigies known as the Cabalgata del Ninot, and parades, with a special floral tribute to the Virgen del Remedio.

Full programme:

Thursday 1st June

• 21:30 Switching on of the Artistic Fiesta Lights in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Friday 2nd June

• 21:00 Announcement Parade Route: Calle San Vicente, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Calle Rafael Altamira finishing at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
• 22:00 Announcement of the fiestas with the Opening Speeches from the Balcony of the Ayuntamiento

Saturday 3rd June

• 14:00 Mascelta in the Plaza de los Luceros

Sunday 4th June

• 14:00 Mascelta in the Plaza de los Luceros

Saturday 10th June

• 14:00 Mascelta in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 20:00 Parade of the Ninot. Route: Avenida de Alfonso X el Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez and Calle Rafael Altamira finishing in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Sunday 11th June

• 14:00 Mascelta in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 20:00 Traditinoal Dances in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Friday 16th June

• 20:00 Opening of the Hogueras Market along Avenue Federico Soto.
• 00:00 Arribada del Foc, special light, sound and firework display beside the El Corte Ingles on the corner of Avda. Maissonnave and Calle Oscar Esplá.

Saturday 17th June

• 14:00 1st session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros.
• 19:00 Parade of the Music Bands and the Hogueras Commissioners. Route: Plaza de los Luceros, Avenida de Alfonso X el Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez and Calle Rafael Altamira finishing in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Sunday 18th June

• 14:00 2nd session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 00:00 Planta (placing) of the Children's Fogueres in the streets.

Monday 19th June

• 14:00 3rd session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros

Tuesday 20th June

• 14:00 4th session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 00:00 Planta (placing) of the Adult Fogueres in the streets including decorating the streets and assembling the Barraques

Wednesday 21st June

• 08:00 Despertà (early morning parade with music bands and fire crackers) in all districts.
• 14:00 5th session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 19:00 1st session of the Flower Procession in honour of the Vigen del Remedio. Route: Alfonso el Sabio Avenue, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, San José, Plaza of Abad Penalva finishing at the Cathedral
• 22:00 Partying in the barracas (areas in each neighbourhood beside their forgueres).

Thursday 22nd June

• 08:00 Despertà (early morning parade with music bands and fire crackers) in all districts.
• 11:00 Awards Parade and Prize Giving. Route: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Rafael Altamira and Rambla, finishing at the Tribune of Portal de Elche.
• 14:00 6th session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 19:00 2nd session of the Flower Procession in honour of the Vigen del Remedio. Route: Plaza de los Luceros, Alfonso el Sabio, Rambla de Mendez Nunez, Calle San Jose y Plaza de Abad Penalva finishing at the Catherdral.
• 22:00 Partying in the barracas (areas in each neighbourhood beside their forgueres).

Friday 23rd June

• 08:00 Despertà (early morning parade with music bands and fire crackers) in all districts.
• 13:00 Giants and Big Heads Parade from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the Plaza de los Luceros.
• 14:00 7th session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 20:30 62nd International Folk Parade. Route: Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez and Calle Rafael Altamira finishing in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
• 22:00 Partying in the barracas (areas in each neighbourhood beside their forgueres).

Satuday 24th June – night of the burning

• 08:00 Despertà (early morning parade with music bands and fire crackers) in all districts.
• 13:00 Giants and Big Heads Parade from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the Plaza de los Luceros.
• 14:00 8th session of the 30th Mascelta Competition in the Plaza de los Luceros
• 20:00 Official Hogueras Mass at the Concatedral de San Nicolás.
• 00:00 Monumental Palmera firework from the Santa Barbara Castle on top of the Monte Benacantil, followed by the Cremá (burning) of the Fogueres.

Sunday 25th June

• 00:00 1st session of the 66th International Fireworks on the Beach Competition on Playa del Postiguet.

Monday 26th June

• 00:00 2nd session of the 66th International Fireworks on the Beach Competition on Playa del Postiguet.

Tuesday 27th June

• 00:00 3rd session of the 66th International Fireworks on the Beach Competition on Playa del Postiguet.

Wednesday 28th June

• 00:00 4th session of the 66th International Fireworks on the Beach Competition on Playa del Postiguet.

Thursday 29th June

• 00:00 5th session of the 66th International Fireworks on the Beach Competition on Playa del Postiguet.