Sant Joan in Barcelona

Sant Joan in Barcelona is one of the greatest nights during the year. It is said that the night of the 23^rd of June is the shortest night of the year and the night of fire and witches. It's a great celebration and a night when few people sleep, almost nobody. Would you like to know how people celebrate Sant Joan in Barcelona?

These are the most popular things to do in Barcelona at Sant Joan's Eve.

• Firecrackers: this is the most popular, but also the noisiest thing to do in Barcelona at Sant Joan night. Children and parents have a good time together while throwing firecrackers and fireworks in the squares and streets of the city. There are different kinds of firecrackers, from the deafening ones to the most colorful and spectacular.

• Beach party: a lot of people prefer spending that night at the beach with family and friends. There are also fireworks at Barcelona beach. People spend the night on the sand, listening to music, drinking and dancing.

• Coca and cava: it is a tradition in Barcelona to eat Sant Joan's coca and toast with cava. This coca is a kind of pastry typical of Catalonia which can have candied fruit on top, cream or sugar. The most typical coca of Sant Joan has pine nuts on top.

• Music: there are Sant Joan parties with music, coca and drinks. Not only at the beach of Barcelona but also in the street and in the houses of Barcelona. Also, there are clubs which organize special activities or performances for that night and offer coca and cava, as well.

• Bonfires of Sant Joan: either at the beach or in the squares of the city, people build bonfires the night of Sant Joan in Barcelona. They collect wood to make them and throw old things like pieces of furniture or books. It is said that the fire of these bonfires cleans the air from evil spirits that come to Earth at the night of the witches.

• Good luck and Magic: Sant Joan is a magical night when elfs, fairies, witches and nymphs get out of the forest and you will be a lucky if you follow my advice. Jumping over the bonfires will bring you luck, but be careful not to get burnt! Also, write a wish on a paper and throw it into the bonfire. So, if you do that, your wish will come true.

Do you know any other things to do in Barcelona at Sant Joan's Eve? Are there any Sant Joan spells you have heard of?