Fogueres de Sant Joan. Hogueras de San Juan.

La fiesta grande de Alicante arranca oficialmente el 20 de junio y se prolonga hasta el día 29 del mismo mes. Se plantan en la ciudad más de doscientas monumentos (hogueras) de cartón piedra de temática satírica. Tienen su origen en la tradición de quemar objetos inservibles con la llegada del solsticio de verano. Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional. The Fogueres de Sant Joan Festivals are one of the most important events in Alicante city. This festival has been officially declared to be of International Tourist Interest and its origins lie in the tradition of burning useless objects with the arrival of the summer solstice. This is the most important celebration, beginning on the 20th June and lasting until the 29th. It is a festival dedicated to fire, including events such as the proclamation (The Pregón), the setting up of the bonfires (the Plantà), the procession of the effigies (Cabalgata del Ninot), parades and processions in different neighbourhoods of the city and the main event on the 24th June, the feast day of Saint John Baptist, when large satirical statues made of cardboard and wood are set alight.