The Sant Joan Eve celebration marks the beginning of summer in a truly unique way. Fire, sea, tradition and nights that last longer than expected. If there is one place where this celebration is experienced with special intensity, it is the Costa Brava.

However, there is an even better way to experience it: from a campsite in Girona. Surrounded by nature, a festive atmosphere and the freedom to set your own pace, Sant Joan becomes a complete experience.

We explain what to do during Sant Joan on the Costa Brava and why campsites are the perfect starting point.

Sant Joan Eve: a night with history

Sant Joan is much more than a celebration. It is a tradition deeply rooted in the territory for centuries, linked to the summer solstice and purification rituals.

Fire is the main symbol: it represents renewal, energy and a new beginning.

On the Costa Brava and throughout Catalonia, the night of June 23 fills with:

• Sant Joan bonfires
• firecrackers and fireworks
• open-air dinners
• music and popular celebrations

It is a lively, shared and deeply rooted celebration that invites people to take to the streets… or experience it from a privileged setting such as a campsite.

What to do for Sant Joan on the Costa Brava

If you are looking for ideas for Sant Joan Eve, these are some of the must-do experiences to enjoy the Sant Joan Eve celebration on the Costa Brava in an authentic way:

Follow the Canigó Flame

One of the most iconic traditions of Sant Joan in Girona is the Canigó Flame.

Every year, this flame lit at the summit of Canigó travels across the territory to light the Sant Joan bonfires. Watching it arrive in Costa Brava villages is an experience full of symbolism and emotion.

Enjoy parties and concerts by the coast

Many towns celebrate the Sant Joan festival on the Costa Brava with special programmes including concerts, open-air bars, habanera singing and cultural activities.

One of the most notable examples is Palamós, which combines the celebration with its annual town festival, turning these days into a continuous celebration.

Eat Sant Joan coca cake

There is no Sant Joan Eve celebration without coca cake.

This traditional sweet pastry, topped with candied fruit, custard or pine nuts, is essential on every table. On the Costa Brava, you will find it in local bakeries and pastry shops, often accompanied by cava.

Swim in the sea at midnight

One of the most popular rituals of the Sant Joan Eve celebration on the Costa Brava is swimming in the sea.

According to tradition, water helps purify and begin a new chapter. Doing so on the beaches of the Costa Brava, with the sound of the sea and the festive atmosphere, is an unforgettable experience.

Sant Joan at Girona campsites: the best way to experience it

If there is one place where Sant Joan takes on a different dimension, it is at Costa Brava campsites. When the celebration moves into nature, everything changes. The sky feels bigger, the stars shine brighter and the sound of firecrackers blends with the sea or forest. Campsites in Girona do not just offer accommodation: they offer a way of experiencing the celebration that is impossible to recreate in a hotel or apartment.

Sant Joan activities at campsites

Many campsites organise their own activities for the Sant Joan Eve celebration in Girona, such as:

• Sant Joan dinners
• live music or DJs
• fire shows
• Sant Joan coca cake tastings
• family activities

Everything is designed so you do not have to travel and can enjoy the celebration within the campsite itself.

Sant Joan activities at Girona campsites

Each campsite has its own way of celebrating Sant Joan. Here are some of the proposals:

• Wecamp has prepared a special activity on June 23 at its Costa Brava campsites: Wecamp Cadaqués, Wecamp Cala Montgó, Wecamp Santa Cristina and Wecamp l’Escala Punta Milà. The proposal is a creative workshop where participants will make their own “Sant Joan brooms” using natural elements. Each broom becomes a vehicle for wishes linked to the planet’s wellbeing, connecting the magic of the celebration with a conscious and sustainable perspective.
• Basecamps Cerdanya celebrates Sant Joan with fire, music and a mountain atmosphere for all ages. A night designed to connect with nature and welcome summer properly in one of the most spectacular settings in La Cerdanya.
• Càmping Port de la Selva hosts a Sant Joan Eve celebration: a night to celebrate in good company in one of the most privileged settings of Alt Empordà.
• Cala Montjoi has prepared a full-day programme for all ages. During the day: yoga, archery, special Sant Joan bingo, pétanque tournament, dance classes and painting and craft activities for children. At night, the White Party and the Magical Sant Joan Night feature an orchestra, entertainment show, wish-making workshop and Sant Joan coca cake distribution.
• Càmping Sant Pol will celebrate Sant Joan Eve on June 23 with a festive dinner and tasting menu to share flavours, tradition and a great atmosphere, accompanied by live music and the Witches’ Night, an activity inspired by Sant Joan legends. On June 24, the celebration will continue with cork human tower workshops and a family Catalan bowling competition.
• Càmping Begur celebrates Sant Joan with its fire show around the leisure pool, one of the most anticipated nights of the season.

Tips for enjoying Sant Joan responsibly

The Sant Joan Eve celebration on the Costa Brava is an intense celebration, but it should also be experienced respectfully:

• avoid sensitive natural areas when using fire or firecrackers
• always follow safety instructions
• respect other people’s rest
• take special care with children and animals

In this way, we all contribute to a safe and sustainable celebration for everyone.

Come and enjoy your best Sant Joan Eve

The Costa Brava is already a dream destination. Sant Joan Eve on the Costa Brava is one of the most sought-after dates of the year. Campsites fill up quickly, and for good reason: anyone who experiences it once wants to return every year.

Explore the offer of campsites in Girona, choose the one that best matches what you are looking for and secure your spot for the most special Sant Joan Eve of the summer. The Costa Brava awaits you lit up.

Frequently asked questions about Sant Joan on the Costa Brava

When is Sant Joan Eve? Sant Joan Eve is celebrated on the night of June 23, the eve of Saint John’s Day (June 24). It is the shortest night of the year and one of the most popular celebrations in Catalonia.

What happens during Sant Joan on the Costa Brava? Sant Joan night on the Costa Brava fills with bonfires, firecrackers, open-air dinners and music in the streets. Many towns organise special events, and it is tradition to eat Sant Joan coca cake with cava and swim in the sea at midnight.

Where is the best place to experience Sant Joan in Girona? Each area has its own way of celebrating Sant Joan Eve. On the Costa Brava, towns such as Palamós celebrate with concerts, local festivals and a lively atmosphere by the sea. In mountain and inland campsites, however, the celebration is quieter, surrounded by nature, fresh air and nights under the stars. Campsites in Girona offer options to enjoy Sant Joan both near the beach and in the Pyrenees or inland.

Can you celebrate Sant Joan at campsites in Girona? Yes. Many campsites in Girona, both on the Costa Brava and in the Pyrenees and inland areas, organise special activities for Sant Joan: festive dinners, live music, fire shows and family activities. A different way to enjoy the celebration surrounded by nature.

Should you book in advance for Sant Joan at campsites? Yes, it is highly recommended. Sant Joan Eve is one of the busiest dates of the year at campsites in Girona. Places sell out weeks in advance.