Festivities in Spain in June (2023): bonfires and wine wars (2023)

With summer in full swing, Spain hosts a variety of festivals in June, from Alicante's fiery Bonfires of San Juan to the bizarre baby jumping festival in Castrillo de Murcia. Music lovers can treat themselves to the International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada and the El Grec Summer Festival in Barcelona. Pure madness reigns in the battle for the wine of La Rioja, where attendees are showered with thousands of liters of wine. And for sports fans, the big event this month is the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya.

What happens in Spain in June?

Bonfires of San Juan

Where?alicante

The bonfires of San Juan are a traditional festival celebrated on the night of June 23 (the eve of the summer solstice) in numerous cities along the Mediterranean coast. Its origins go back to ancient celebrations associated with the summer solstice, where bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits. Usually, people with friends light a bonfire on the beach and then gather for a celebration before lighting their own bonfire.

The city of Alicante takes this party to the next level withMidsummer bonfiresthe biggest annual event in the city, which lasts from June 19 to 24. The event was first proposed by José María Py in 1928 as something similar to Fallas in Valencia. Today, the festival is officially recognized as an asset of international tourist interest (International Tourist Interest) and an asset of intangible cultural interest.

During the year, characters of local, national and international characters (often politicians) are built. These paintings, known as 'ninots', were installed on 19th Street (la plantà). The next morning the 'despertà' wakes up the city and the fireworks and firecrackers festival begins. in the following days, festivals and all kinds of parades and competitions are held. The climax of the festivities is known as 'La cremà' (the burning) which takes place on the 24th and marks the end of the festivities.

Greek festival in Barcelona

Where?Barcelona

The Teatre Grec on Montjuïc was built for the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1929. The site fell into disrepair when it hosted the first exhibitionthe greek party1976 The success of this first edition of the event saved the theater and laid the foundations for what became one of the most popular cultural events in Barcelona. El Grec starts at the end of June and runs all summer, celebrating the best of theatre, music, dance and art in the Catalan capital.

What started as a relatively small event has now become a major part of the city's cultural calendar, with numerous performances taking place throughout the summer months. The event showcases the best Catalan and Spanish talent and attracts talented artists from all over the world. While the Teatre Grec hosts some of the main events, performances are now held at various historical venues in the city.

From the source Colacho

Where?Castle of Murcia (Burgos)

Among the many weird and wonderful festivals in Spain,babyspringfestival u Castrillo de Murciais perhaps the strangest. The festival is said to date back to the 1620s, when the devil was believed to inhabit the bodies of newborn babies in the town. According to legend, the only way to save babies from their "original sin" was to be jumped on by men dressed as the devil. Over time, this tradition developed into a joyful party in which men dressed in red and yellow suits jump over rows of babies lying on mattresses in the street.

Despite its seemingly dangerous nature, the Baby Spring Festival is completely safe. Parents carefully place babies on mattresses and there is no risk of injury. The festival has even become a symbol of the strong bond between parents and children and is considered a way to protect them from evil.

The Spring Baby Festival has grown in popularity in recent years and is now a major tourist event for the picturesque town. The festival also offers many other attractions for visitors to enjoy, such as traditional food and drinks, live music and street performances.

wine fight

Where?Haro (La Rioja)

It appears to be the originHaro Wine Festivaloriginates from land disputes in the 13th century. The citizens of Hara had to mark their land borders with purple flags on July 29 (the feast of San Pedro and San Pablo) every year, so as not to risk losing their land to their neighbors in Miranda de Ebro. beginning of the century In the 18th century, after this annual procession, an impromptu wine battle broke out on the cliffs of Bilibi, which would become an annual celebration.

Over time, this tradition became the Wine Battle, which takes place on June 29 every year. Since it was officially recognized as a 'Festival of International Tourist Importance' in 2011, the event has attracted visitors from all over the world.

The day begins with local people bringing thousands of liters of wine to the rock of Bilibio, 6 km north of Haro. Then, the mayor of the town leads a procession on horseback to the San Felices de Bilibio desert, where he places a purple flag before celebrating mass. The launch of the rocket after the mass marks the beginning of the Wine Battle as the participants drown each other in red wine. After the fight, everyone goes to the city arena for food, drinks and more fun.

Madrilenian prank calls

Where?Madrid

Origin ofGay pride week in Madriddates back to the late 1970s, when Spain was emerging from the Franco dictatorship. In 1977, the first public demonstrations for gay rights were held in Barcelona. The following year, he organized his first Pride Parade and has been doing so ever since. Over the years, the festival has grown into one of the largest and most inclusive Pride events in the world, attracting around two million visitors. The week-long celebration includes parades, concerts and parties, while serving as a platform for social change in a city dedicated to equality and diversity.

Music festivals in Spain in June

sonar-festival

Where?Barcelona

sound, ofInternational festival of advanced music and new media art, has become one of the most important events on Barcelona's cultural calendar. The festival dates back to 1994, when a group of music lovers in Barcelona decided to organize a festival celebrating electronic music and its emerging subgenres.

Since that first edition of the festival, which attracted around 6,000 visitors, the event has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the biggest and most influential electronic music festivals in the world. This three-day event in June features some of the most influential artists in the world of electronic music and attracts over 120,000 visitors from around the world. It takes place at multiple locations in Barcelona, ​​including the iconic Fira Barcelona Montjuïc and Fira Barcelona Gran Via.

spring sound music festival

Where?Barcelona in Madrid

FromFestival Primavera soundstarted in 2001 with the aim of bringing international indie and alternative rock artists to Barcelona. The festival was held for the first time in Poble Espanyol on the Montjuïc mountain and attracted around 7,500 music lovers. Over the years, it has expanded the musical genre it offers and moved to a larger hall in the Parc del Fòrum.

Due to the increasingly impressive line-up of local and international acts, Primavera Sound has become one of the biggest music festivals in Europe with around 500,000 visitors at the Barcelona 2022 event. Its popularity is such that it will be held another week after the Barcelona event. The Primavera Sound Music Festival will take place in Madrid.

International Festival of Music and Dance in Granada

Where?Granada (Andalusia)

Starting from June until July,International Festival of Music and Dance in GranadaIt has become one of the most important cultural events in Spain. Although the beginning of the festival dates back to the late 19th century, it was not until 1952 that a group of artists and intellectuals from Granada formally gathered to create a festival that showcased the city's rich cultural heritage. Since its inception, the festival has focused on bringing together artists from different disciplines and cultures, while showcasing the best of Spanish music and dance.

Over the years, the event has grown into a major international festival, attracting an impressive lineup of musicians and dancers from around the world. The festival program includes everything from classical music concerts and flamenco performances to contemporary dance performances and experimental music events. Performances are held in historic locations across the city, including the courtyard of the Alhambra Palace and the Generalife Gardens.

Sports events in Spain in June

Moto racing Formula 1 Grand Prix of Spain

Where?Circuit of Catalonia (Barcelona)

yearlySpanish Formula 1 Grand Prixtakes place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, about 20 km northeast of Barcelona. The track can hold up to 140,000 spectators, so tickets are often available for racegoers. The track proved to be a happy hunting ground for both Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, who won the competition six times. This year's event will take place on June 4, 2023.

Useful links to June festivities in Spain

Frequently asked questions:

What is the weather like in Spain in June?

The weather in Spain in June is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures varying from region to region. Here's what you can expect in different parts of the country:

Mediterranean:Along the Mediterranean coast (for example Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​Valencia and Malaga) temperatures are warm and pleasant during the day, on average 25-30°C. Skies are usually clear with plenty of sunshine and a slight chance of rain.

Atlantic:Along the Atlantic coast in the north (eg Bilbao, Santander and A Coruña) temperatures are usually lower than in the Mediterranean, with average temperatures around 20-25°C during the day. There may be showers from time to time, but the possibility of sunshine increases as the month progresses.

Interior:Inland cities (for example, Madrid, Zaragoza and Seville) can be very hot and dry in June, with daytime temperatures often reaching 30°C or more. The sky is usually clear and there is little precipitation.