Every year on the night of June 23 to 24, Gijón is immersed in an atmosphere of ancient traditions, music, and fire. The festival San Xuan is considered the official start of summer in Asturias and gathers thousands of residents and visitors on Poniente beach, where the main celebration takes place.
Although San Juan is not an official holiday in Gijón, this night remains one of the most beloved and anticipated of the year.
When San Juan Takes Place in Gijón
📅 June 23, 2026
The main events take place throughout the day, culminating in the midnight lighting of the big bonfire on Poniente beach.
The Tradition of Decorating Springs
In Asturian culture, water plays as important a role as fire.
On the day of June 23, ceremonies of Enramado de Fuentes take place throughout the municipality. Folkloric groups decorate ancient springs, fountains, and laundries with flowers and green branches, accompanying the ritual with music and dances.
According to Asturian legends, it is on the night of San Juan that magical beings — xanas — emerge from the springs, and the dew at dawn brings luck, health, and love.
Program for Decorating Springs
18:00
- Lavadero Deva — Escuela de Música Tradicional Trubiecu
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bxin3vT5awqa7ZuSA
19:00
- Fuente Nueva de Porceyo — Grupo Folclórico La Alegría
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/T2DAWvTBQvAJsNAd8
19:30
- Plaza de la Guía — Coros y Danzas Grupo Covadonga
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/2YniFwkwVwmHmuEZA - Fuente Fon Fría (Trubia) — El Turruxón
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/oWHH8bvg2TQRrnY67 - Fuente Pelayo (Plaza del Marqués) — Na Señardá
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/hrGps547UZDcFRaG6
20:00
- Lavadero de Leorio — El Xolgoriu
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/1FAeAR73xztVkwLPA - Fonte y Llavaderu L’Arrionda (Llantones) — Excelsior
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ETKBRkA5SSvazZnQ7 - Plaza Clara Ferrer — Flor de Xaranzaina
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/gptmsuGN4HP2UayF7 - Fuente de Los Campinos — Jovellanos
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/BxtzHCSq4ZZwNJV68 - Parque Zarracina — Los Xustos
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/9DFmh9iW6nHeMqXVA - Fuente y Lavaderu del Trole — Xiringüelu
20:30
- Fuente La Fontica (Cimavilla) — Marabayu
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/NsJ1P1tUUaT7b5QB8
The Night of San Juan on Poniente Beach
The main stage of the festival will be located on the promenade of Poniente beach.
In the evening, the best bagpipers and folkloric groups from the city will perform here.
Program on Poniente Beach
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jzd5BHhq1Wv3fFAU9
18:00 — Banda de Gaites Garuya
18:45 — Banda de Gaites Conceyu de Xixón
19:30 — Banda de Gaites La Magüeta
20:15 — Banda de Gaites Villa de Jovellanos
21:00 — Banda de Gaites Saxum
22:15 — Banda de Gaites Villa de Xixón
23:00 — Banda de Gaites Noega
23:50 — Fireworks
00:00 — Lighting of the San Juan bonfire and traditional Danza Prima
San Juan Bonfire
At midnight, the main bonfire of Gijón will ignite on Poniente beach.
Traditionally, many bring notes with wishes or thoughts about what they want to leave in the past. All of this symbolically burns in the fire along with the troubles and worries of the past year.
After the bonfire is lit, Danza Prima begins — one of the main symbols of Asturian culture. People hold each other’s pinkies, form large circles, and sing ancient songs to welcome summer.
Festivities in the districts of Gijón
In addition to Poniente, celebrations take place in various districts of the city:
📍 Mareo — June 19–23
📍 Tremañes — June 19, 20, 21, and 24
📍 La Calzada — June 19–24
📍 Muselín — June 20–21
📍 Contrueces — June 22–23
Why you should visit San Juan in Gijón
San Juan combines ancient Asturian traditions, bagpipe music, mythology, the sea, and fire.
It is one of the most atmospheric nights of the year in Asturias, when thousands of people gather on the shores of the Bay of Biscay to welcome summer to the sounds of bagpipes and the light of a huge bonfire.
📍 Poniente Beach, Gijón
📅 June 23, 2026
🔥 Main bonfire: 00:00
