Pre-Noche de San Juan 2009

Another day, another fiesta

Today is Noche de San Juan.

For those that were reading last year, you can skip much of this but you shouldn’t as you their might be a quiz afterwards.

The bases of this fiesta is it is the shortest night of the year. [source]
I don’t see how the longest day of the year was celebrated two days ago and the shortest night is celebrated today. I thought the two would come hand in hand? And originally thought that it was to do with John Baptist’s birth but that only applies to Venezuela apparently?

Tradition suggests that people have to jump over a fire three times and jump in the sea to cleanse my body.
Which is fun.

Tradition also suggests that you celebrate the night with friends, getting drunk and having BBQ’s, bonfires and parties on the beach until the sun comes up, which isn’t long seeing as it is the shortest night.

And it’s because of these many traditions that Noche de San Juan is by far my favourite fiesta in the whole of the year.

Last year me and the missus, having not been here long and knowing no one had a semi-ok night.

This year we actually know people and I am much looking forward to this years noche a lot more.
Although I doubt I’ll take a tent down this year. But at least my house/fridge stocked with beer is only a few minutes away so I will always have some cold beers near by.

Should be good.

PS it’s good to see some people getting an early start. Personally I’ve got a bit of work to do, perhaps take a quick siesta and have something to eat before I start.

The early bird catches the good spot. 

Happy noche de San Juan.

Noche de San Juan

So we finally had the big party on the beach I've been looking forward to for weeks. Not only did we have a fun day out on the beach, but I think I spent more time on the beach in this one day then I had been to beaches in my life back in the UK. We arrived at about 9:45AM. We were warned to arrive early to get places. And we got back home for 2ish. A total of about 14 hours.

Noche de San Juan takes place on the 23rd June. From what I gather John the Baptist is supposed of been born on the 24th June, so the the night before his birthday all water is supposed to hold magical healing powers.
Tradition is that at the stroke of midnight everyone heads in to the sea/lake/river (only ankle deep, although some crazy fools went for a swim).
You're also suppose to wash your hands and face three times in sea and that means you will be blessed with good luck for the year. I forgot to do this.

Newer traditions are the local council allow camping on the beach for this one night only. People can light bonfires, BBQs, there is live music, parties, free food and plenty of drink.

This is what we got up to.


The missus has never put up a tent before. So I let her do most of the work.


Finished tent being modelled.


I'm told that the beach was quieter this year and that the nearby other major beach was a bit busy.


Some bigger boys were being pains so we moved to a quiet area. Where 10 minutes later a large party set up behind us. The missus wasn't amused.

But everything was pretty quite for most of the day, the main party really kicked off at midnight.
At which point everyone ran in to the sea.

The missus and a friend following tradition.


There was a firework show.


The lit a big bonfire. For some reason, that I don't know yet, they had a Titanic effigy.


And all the kids had parties.

It was a bit too much for us and after being in the sea and standing on our towels-cum-beds we got our beds wet. Plus as we had a beach tent and not a proper tent it was a bit chilly, so we decided to pack up and headed home for a far warmer and more comfortable sleep.

Here is the slideshow


There are a few quiet festivals over the next few months but the next major one is the feria. Which is a week long. And the last one I went to ended in a Bull Run.