Night of Sant Joan (San Juan) on Gandia Beach
Gandia's biggest summer beach night: live music and a batucada from 23:00, a fire procession at 23:15, a fireworks display over the North breakwater at midnight, a bonfire lit on the sand, and a DJ set to dance into the night by the sea. Pure midsummer celebration, no Spanish needed.
Spaniards see in midsummer with fire, and Gandia does it on the sand. Things kick off around 11pm with drumming from Kum Kum Trà and a couple of local bands, then a fire performance winds its way down the promenade just after. The fireworks go up over the North breakwater at midnight, and minutes later the bonfire on the beach catches — the bit everyone waits for, when the whole seafront glows and the crowd lets out a roar.
After that, DJ Pascal Renolt takes over from a stage on Calle Alcoi and people dance until late, often straight into the sea. Bring something to sit on, and don't expect an early night. It's free, it's loud in the best way, and you can join in without a word of Spanish — just follow the crowd towards the flames.