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Festivals & Events in Sitges
Festivals & Events

Revetlla de Sant Joan

Sitges
Sant Joan bonfire on Baix a Mar beach (Torredembarra, Costa Daurada) on Midsummer Night
Photo: Jordi Gili / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Revetlla de Sant Joan is the free, open-access midsummer fire festival on the night of 23–24 June (the 24th is a public holiday throughout Catalonia). In Sitges it unfolds on the beaches, with the Flama del Canigó, coca de Sant Joan, cava and firecrackers until dawn.

What is the Nit de Sant Joan

The Nit de Sant Joan is the great midsummer fire celebration in Catalonia and the Catalan Countries, rooted in pagan tradition and later Christianised to coincide with the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist on 24 June. One common misconception worth clearing up: the astronomical solstice of 2026 falls on Sunday 21 June at 09:24 local time (IGN), two days before the revetlla itself. Fire plays a purifying role — people leap over bonfires and perform rituals with herbs. The most distinctive Catalan symbol is the Flama del Canigó, first lit in 1955 and officially institutionalised in 1963: every 22 June, a group of hikers carry fire to the summit of the Canigó (2,784 m, in the Catalunya Nord) and bring it back renewed. That same night, some 3,000 bonfires are lit with this flame across more than 350 towns. The tradition survived Francoism underground as a symbol of the Catalan language.

How it unfolds in Sitges

Compared to the mass crowds of Barcelona, Sitges offers a more intimate coastal-town revetlla. The official focal point is the Poble Sec neighbourhood, centred on Plaça de Catalunya, but the night spills out along the promenade and beaches (Fragata, Ribera, Sant Sebastià). Important note: bonfires on the sand are PROHIBITED by municipal ordinance; those in urban areas require a council permit and must be at least 15 metres from trees, buildings and vehicles. Fireworks are concentrated around the La Fragata area and the jetties, which are cordoned off and supervised. Do not expect an official Sant Joan fireworks display: Sitges' major pyrotechnics show takes place during the Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu in August. The drone show at La Fragata in 2024 was a one-off sponsored event, not a tradition. The authentic experience is coca de Sant Joan with cava, havaneres with cremat, and the verbena in the square.

Dates, public holiday and programme

The Revetlla is always on the night of 23–24 June. The 24th is a regional public holiday in Catalonia (not a national one): most shops close and some supermarkets or tourist businesses open reduced hours, so stock up beforehand. The annual pattern in Sitges is consistent: on the 23rd at 14:00 the 12 morterets are fired in Plaça de Catalunya, the Flama del Canigó arrives at 19:00 (accompanied by the Colla Jove de Castellers and Òmnium Garraf), and the verbena starts after dark and runs until around 05:00. The 24th is reserved for religious services at the church of Sant Joan, the procession of balls de bastons, sardanes and a final traca at midnight. As this is an evergreen guide: do not rely on specific poster dates — always check the definitive programme for each year at sitges.cat (Ajuntament de Sitges), which is usually published with little advance notice.

Practical tips

Transport is the critical point. The R2 Sud train (37–40 min, Barcelona–Sitges) is the most comfortable option but comes with a catch: on that night regular services stop and only a handful of special trains run, with a gap of several hours (departing around 23:36 from Estació de França; return around 05:30 from Sant Vicenç de Calders). The reliable option for getting back in the early hours is the Mon-Bus/BusGarraf night bus line N30, with departures from Sitges at approximately 01:34, 02:34, 03:34 and 04:34 (ticket approx. €3.80). Forget the car: parking nearby is almost impossible (most of the area is paid zona blava). Wear closed shoes because of the firecrackers, bring a blanket for when it cools down after midnight, and carry your own food and drink — the chiringuitos fill up from early on. With firecrackers, observe the legal safety distances and never hold them in your hand or point them at your face.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Revetlla de Sant Joan in Sitges?
No. It is an entirely free, open-access celebration. The verbena in Plaça de Catalunya, the arrival of the Flama del Canigó, the fireworks and the beach atmosphere all have no ticket. You will only pay for what you consume at bars or chiringuitos, which get packed quickly — bringing your own food and drink is strongly recommended.
Are bonfires allowed on the beaches in Sitges?
No. Bonfires are prohibited by ordinance on all beaches in Sitges. Urban bonfires require prior municipal authorisation and must be kept at least 15 metres from trees, buildings, vehicles and electrical installations, and must be supervised until fully extinguished. Firecrackers are permitted on the 23rd and 24th, provided legal safety distances are respected.
How do I get back to Barcelona in the early hours after Sant Joan?
This is the trickiest part of the night. The regular R2 Sud train stops running and only a few special services operate, leaving a gap of several hours. The reliable option is the Mon-Bus/BusGarraf night bus line N30, with departures from Sitges at approximately 01:34, 02:34, 03:34 and 04:34, and a ticket costing around €3.80. Driving is not practical due to the parking situation.
Where can I find the official programme each year?
On the Ajuntament de Sitges website (sitges.cat), which publishes the programme for the Festes de Sant Joan del Poble Sec — usually with little advance notice. This is an evergreen guide and does not confirm specific line-ups or timetables: the annual pattern is stable (morterets, Flama del Canigó at 19:00, night verbena), but always verify the final dates and events before you go.

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