The day of the summer solstice is the day that the magic of San Juan´s night is celebrated. It is a very old feast that marks the beginning of summer, the longest day of the year with the most sunlight.

On that day, Santiago is full of bonfires (the “cacharelas”), which the locals jump over as a way to expel any curse or evil eye of the “meigas” (evil Galician spiritus). The best-known bonfires are located in the old town, especially those that are in the Plaza Irmán Gómez and in the streets of Algalia de Abaixo y Valle Inclán.

The thing you´re likely to smell during the San Juan´s night, besides the fire, is the smell of sardines, which are in their best season at this time of year. They are roasted in the open air over the “cacharelas” and are served with wine and the typical Galician pies.

Music is also performed around the bonfires and this ritual of purification is completed with another ritual with water and magical plants, which are left overnight and get washed in the morning. Because of this, every year on the 23 of June the Abastos Market will smell of wild flowers (rosemary, mint, chamomile, rose…) as they are sold throughout that day.

The celebrations dedicated to Patron Santiago, of Galicia and Spain, last approximately 15 days. They include festivals that combine religious and folkloric traditions: the 24th and 25th are the big days. On the night of the 24th there´s an impressive firework display, and at the same time a castle of fireworks is lit to imitate the gothic façade of the Cathedral. On the 25th, either the king or a representatve of the Royal Family makes a traditional offering to the Apostle: here is when we can see the botafumeiro, the metal container that swings over the Cathedral and dousing it with incense.

The 25th of July is also the National Day of Galicia, so throughout this fortnight Santiago is filled with music, dance, theatre performances and feasts. The 31st is the last day of all the celebrations, exhibitions and other fireworks shows.

Whenever the 25th of July falls on a Sunday, it is also the Year of Saint Santiago and this will repeat according to a cycle of 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. 1993, 1999, 2004 y 2010 were the most recent years of this celebration, and it will take place again in 2021.