In Mallorca, especially in the summer months, there are many traditional festivals that are extensively celebrated. Some of these festivals are only celebrated in certain places, others are a highlight all over the island. This also includes the Nit de Sant Joan. This year the celebrations are finally taking place again after a two-year Corona break and it feels like the whole island is on its feet tonight!
Nit de Sant Joan celebrations
The Nit de Sant Joan takes place every year on the night of June 23rd and 24th, the shortest night of the year. In Mallorca, the arrival of summer is celebrated everywhere that night. And as befits Mallorcan festivities, it naturally takes place outside, with family and friends and preferably on the beach!
The festival, which originally has pagan origins, is now celebrated happily and mostly in a very modern way. However, the customs passed down through the generations also play a major role. This is how old and new come together here and makes the festival a great experience for the whole family. And there is hardly anyone on the island who can miss this party!
This is how St. John’s Eve is celebrated
Already in the early evening of June 23, people in Mallorca are drawn to the beaches. There you meet friends and family, make a campfire, set up torches and grill lots of goodies or have a picnic. With music there is a lot of talking, laughing and of course dancing. The mood is exuberant and guests are also happy to be taken in the middle to enjoy this special night together. By the way, most of them are dressed in white on this night – this unofficial dress code has prevailed over the years.
As with many Mallorcan festivals, fire also plays a major role in the Nit de Sant Joan. As already mentioned, there are campfires, torches, etc. everywhere, which conjures up a great atmosphere after sunset. There are also a number of rituals associated with fire. For example, you often write things that you have been angry about in the last year or that you want to let go of on a piece of paper and burn it in the fire at midnight. This is how things should disappear from life. You can often see people jumping over the campfire. When it comes to couples who do this hand in hand seven times, a life full of happiness and contentment awaits them. At midnight everyone goes swimming in the sea – on the one hand this is supposed to keep you healthy and on the other hand you have a wish that should come true.
So tonight there will be celebrations all over the island and in addition to some official parties, the celebrations on the beaches are really great and recommended for everyone!
