The Fiestas Hogueras de Alicante, or the Bonfires of San Juan, surrounds one of the biggest celebrations in the city of Alicante each year, and are held in such high regard, they have been declared of International Tourist Interest.
Officially, the Fiestas Hogueras de Alicante take place from June 20 to 29, but events start at the beginning of the month as a build-up to the main celebration, with activities throughout the city.
Be warned, if you do plan to go, some of the streets are closed off, and it does get very busy, but if you have never been, it is something that should be added to your to do list, and this year is no better time to take part.
Throughout the month of June, the noise of firecrackers is mixed with the smell of gunpowder and the fire of the mascletás. In addition, the streets are filled with light and colour thanks to parades, floral offerings, fairs, festivals and concerts.
The scheduled activities will begin this Thursday at 9:30 p.m. in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, when the mayor, Luis Barcala, activates the fifty arches with more than three hundred thousand LED bulbs that illuminate the square. The lighting of the city is made up of more than 700,000 LEDs along its entire length: from Avenida de Alfonso el Sabio to Plaza del Ayuntamiento, passing through La Rambla and Calle Altamira.
On June 1 and 2, the lights of the official route will be turned on between 9:30 p.m. and midnight. From June 3 to 16, from 8:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. From June 17 to 24, it will be extended to all neighbourhoods from 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. And from June 25 to 29, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The full schedule of events for Fiestas Hogueras de Alicante 2023, is:
Friday June 2
7:00 p.m. Tribute to the deceased Foguerers and Barraquers in the Plaza de España in front of the Monument to the Foguerer.
7:30 p.m. Proclamation Parade. Route: Calle de San Vicente, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
9:00 p.m. Official proclamation of festivities from the balcony of the Town Hall and official start of the festivities.
11:00 p.m. Proclamation Party and welcome to the Fiestas Hogueras de Alicante in the Volvo Zone.
Saturday June 3
2:00 p.m. Mascletá 365 in the Roundabout of the Gran Vía shopping centre. Cycle ‘Pólvora all year’ (mascletás in different neighbourhoods of Alicante).
Sunday June 4
2:00 p.m. Mascletá 365 in the Polygon of San Blas.
Saturday June 10
2:00 p.m. Mascletá 365 in Playa de San Juan.
7:00 p.m. Cavalgate del Ninot. The Fogueres commissions participate in disguise with allegorical motifs on the theme of their bonfire. Route: Alfonso el Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Sunday June 11
2:00 p.m. Mascletá 365 on Avenida de Loring.
Friday June 16
7:00 p.m. Closing of the Ninot Exhibition in the old Fish Market and counting of votes for the Ninot Indultat.
Saturday June 17
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Competition in Luceros.
6:30 p.m. Entrance of Bands and parade of Commissions. Route: Plaza de los Luceros, Alfonso X El Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Calle Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
Sunday June 18
00:01 a.m. Official plant of children’s bonfires and ‘street dolls’.
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Mediterranean Fireworks SLU).
Tuesday June 20
00:01 a.m. Plant of adult Bonfires and Barracks.
9:00 a.m. Visit of the jury of the children’s bonfires.
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Pirotecnia Hermanos Sirvent, SL).
5:00 p.m. Reading of prizes at the children’s bonfires.
5:30 p.m. Official visit to the winning children’s bonfire.
10:00 p.m. Inauguration of Barracas and Racós.
Wednesday June 21
9:00 a.m. Visit of the jury of the fogueres, covers of Barracas and decorated streets.
12:00 Tribute to Gabriel Miró in the Plaza Gabriel Miró.
1:00 p.m. Tribute to José Mª Py in calle Jose Mª Py.
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Pirotecnia Zarzoso, SL).
5:00 p.m. Reading of awards to the fogueres, covers of Barracas and streets decorated.
5:30 p.m. Official visit to the bonfire and winning hut.
6:30 p.m. I Session of Offering of Flowers to the Virgen del Remedio. Route: Alfonso El Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Calle San José, Co-Cathedral, San Nicolás, Rafael Altamira, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
10:00 p.m. Festivals in Barracas and Racós.
Thursday June 22
11:00 a.m. Awards parade. Route: From the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the official gallery on the Rambla.
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Fireworks Hermanos Ferrández, SL).
6:30 p.m. II Flower Offering Session. Route: Alfonso El Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Calle San José, Co-Cathedral, San Nicolás, Rafael Altamira, Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
10:00 p.m. Festivals in Barracas and Racós.
Friday June 23
1:00 p.m. Award ceremony of the Offering of Flowers at the Mercadito de Fogueres.
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Pirotecnia Ferrández, SL).
7:00 p.m. Dansà d’Alacant returns to the Official Bonfire, in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
8:00 p.m. LXV International Folkloric Parade. Sample of the folklore and traditions of the Valencian Community, Communities and invited countries. Route: Alfonso El Sabio, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, Rafael Altamira and Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
10:00 p.m. Festivals in Barracas and Racós.
Saturday June 24
2:00 p.m. Session of the Mascletás Contest in Luceros (Pirotecnia Tamarit, SL).
8:00 p.m. Official mass of Fogueres in the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás.
00:00. Shooting of the monumental palm tree from the summit of Mount Benacantil by the Hermanos Sirvent Pyrotechnics (composed of 1,200 rockets and with a radius of 300 metres) and then cremà of the Official Bonfire in the Town Hall Square. Subsequently, burning of the rest of the fires in each of the city’s districts.
From June 25 to 29
00:00. Fireworks Contest at Playa Cocó.
You can get more information, including the app, on the official website, https://www.hogueras.es/
