During the night of June 23rd the festivities of San Juan are celebrated in Madrid, also known as the official start of summer or as the shortest night of the year. Despite being a typical festivities of the coastal areas, the capital and its nearby towns also host various celebrations of the beginning of the summer season. Although the closest to the center are the festivities of San Juan in Retiro, we can also find bonfires in which to burn wishes (or what we want to leave behind) in other districts and towns of the capital.
In places like Alcobendas, Ciudad Lineal or Tres Cantos, in addition to bonfires, we will also find activities such as concerts, fireworks shows and symbolic rituals to welcome the summer solstice. So that you can choose where to enjoy the shortest night of the year, we have made a list with all the possible options.
San Juan in the city
Lineal City
From June 23 to 25, a program of varied activities will be held to kick off the summer in the Madrid district. The venues chosen for these festivities are the El Calero auditorium (Calle de José del Hierro, 3), El Flori park and the fairgrounds on Calle de los Derechos Humanos, each located in different neighborhoods of the district.
Attendees will be able to enjoy versions of the hits of the 80’s and 90’s performed by the Rayband orchestra. In addition, there will be rock concerts by bands such as Dame Veneno, No Idols and Los del zulo, among others. During the night of June 23-24, the bonfire of San Juan will be lit on the esplanade of the fairgrounds, although there will also be a symbolic bonfire in San Juan Bautista.
Festivities of San Juan Retiro
In Madrid, San Juan celebrations are experienced without a beach, especially in the Retiro district. Instead of waves and bonfires, there are magic shows, plays, children’s workshops and music. The festivities will take place from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25.
The concert program will feature bands such as Los Rebeldes, Awa pa los Calvos and Ángulo Muerto, located in two stages: one in the northern part of the district (Narváez street) with tents and workshops, and another in Retiro south (Martin Luther King Park).
Festivities of San Juan in nearby towns
Leganés
In the Madrid town of Leganés the traditional bonfire of San Juan will be held in the parking lot of Zarzaquemada station from 23:59H, followed by a fireworks display. In addition, as a novelty, there will be an exhibition of Human Statues on Saturday June 25 at two times: from 12:00h to 14:00h and from 19:30h to 21:30h. In this exhibition, the public will be able to vote through a web form for the best statues in categories such as statics, costumes and movement.
Alcalá de Henares
On Friday, June 23, during the Fiestas de San Juan 2023 in Alcalá de Henares, the Juan de Austria Park will be the stage for various activities. In the afternoon, there will be dance performances by local schools and children’s workshops. In addition, there will be live music with concerts by Vaho at 9:00 pm and La Habitación Roja at 10:00 pm. At midnight, the bonfire of San Juan will be burned, marking the beginning of summer.
Alcobendas
In Alcobendas, a big San Juan night will be celebrated with the lighting of a bonfire and several special activities. Under the theme of Celtic Night, there will be workshops, entertainment, contests, performances, conxuro and an impressive queimada, in the purest Galician style.
Vicálvaro
From June 22 to 25, coinciding with the festivities of San Juan, Vicálvaro celebrates its patron saint festivities. A series of concerts are scheduled, including Blas Cantó and other artists such as Airu, Carmen Xia and Vermú. In addition, there will be activities for all audiences, and one of the most anticipated events will be the San Juan bonfire at the district’s fairgrounds. During the midnight of June 23, attendees will be able to enjoy this festivity around the large bonfire that will be lit in the plot located at the corner of Paseo del Polideportivo and Arroyo del Hoyo street.
Tres Cantos
From June 22 to 26, Tres Cantos celebrates its Fiestas Patronales de San Juan with a series of outstanding events, such as the concert by Ana Torroja and Chema Rivas. Among the must-see events are the bonfire, with its traditional queimada, and dance shows and fire jugglers. The fire will be lit at 00:00h in the Plaza de la Familia, followed by a fireworks display shortly after midnight.