St John’s Night will once again fill Tenerife with fire, music and tradition this 23 June. Across the island, municipalities from the north to the south have organised a wide range of events, including authorised bonfires, batucada parades, live music, open-air festivals, seaside activities and neighbourhood gatherings.
As in previous years, the coast will be one of the main meeting points for thousands of people, with many residents and visitors heading to beaches, squares and public areas where celebrations have been officially authorised. The night of San Juan is traditionally associated with fire, water and renewal, inviting people to say goodbye to the old and welcome the summer in a festive atmosphere.
However, local councils and the Tenerife Island Council have reminded the public that safety rules must be followed at all times. Bonfires are only permitted in authorised areas, and special precautions will be in place throughout the island.
Among the most notable locations for this year’s celebrations are Puerto de Santiago, El Médano, Los Cristianos, Playa Jardín, Valleseco, Las Eras, Playa de San Juan, Candelaria and San Juan de la Rambla. Several neighbourhoods will also hold their own festivities, while authorised private bonfires will take place in different parts of Tenerife.
San Juan bonfires in the south of Tenerife
In Santiago del Teide, the main celebrations will take place on the beach at Puerto de Santiago. The programme will begin at 7.00 pm and will include music by several DJs, as well as a Zumba session with Pierre. The festivities will continue until 1.00 am.
The bonfire is scheduled to be lit at 10.00 pm, accompanied by fireworks. At midnight, the evening will reach one of its highlights with a larger fireworks display over the coastal area.
In Granadilla de Abona, St John’s Night will be celebrated in two main locations: the central beach at El Médano and the main beach at Los Abrigos. Events will begin at 6.30 pm, with parades through the streets of both coastal towns by local dance and drumming groups, including Kuliquitacas del Sur, Guajeiros and Aborasau.
In the central square of El Médano, the evening will continue with performances by DJ Fabrizio Salgado, DJ Javi Plasencia and Los Vándalos, who will provide music until midnight. The Town Council has also reinforced public transport services with Titsa in order to reduce traffic congestion and make access to the celebrations easier.
In Arona, the beach at Los Cristianos will be one of the main focal points of the night, with batucada groups, parades and concerts. According to the municipal decree, bonfires may be lit between 8.00 pm on 23 June and 1.00 am on 24 June.
Bonfires will not be allowed on beaches, in public spaces or in protected natural areas, except those organised directly by the Town Council. In authorised private areas, bonfires must not exceed three metres in height or diameter. They must also maintain a minimum safety distance of 100 metres from buildings, overhead power lines, street furniture, vehicles and other bonfires.
Arona will also host events on the beach at Las Galletas and in the Virgen del Carmen residential area in Guargacho, where residents will light a bonfire next to the sports centre. The municipality is one of those with the highest number of authorised bonfires in Tenerife, with 32 private celebrations registered in Los Cristianos, Las Galletas and Guargacho.
In Arico, the festivities will take place in Villa de Arico and Las Arenas, coinciding with the patron saint festivities in honour of St John the Baptist. Registered private bonfires will also be held. The celebrations will extend to the coast, where the traditional seaside bonfire will take place on Las Eras beach.
In Fasnia, Las Eras beach will also be the main meeting point. The programme will begin at 8.00 pm with background music and the opening of the beach kiosk. The bonfire is scheduled to be lit at 10.00 pm.
In Guía de Isora, the only authorised bonfire will be located on Playa de San Juan, coinciding with the municipality’s patron saint festivities. The area will offer musical entertainment and a festive atmosphere throughout the evening.
Candelaria, Santa Cruz and La Laguna
In Candelaria, the coastline of the Villa Mariana will once again take centre stage. The main bonfires will be located at Playa de La Viuda, Las Caletillas and Punta Larga.
The main highlight will be held at La Viuda, where Marco El Pachanga is scheduled to perform from 10.00 pm, adding live music to one of the municipality’s most popular coastal gatherings.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, there will be two major centres of celebration. At Los Charcos de Valleseco, the programme will begin at 4.00 pm with activities for young people, workshops, water bouncy castles and food trucks.
The musical programme will include performances by Iván Cacú and his Orchestra, Son Canari, La Maquinaria Band and La Sabrosa, with the celebrations continuing until 12.30 am.
The neighbourhood of San Juan de Acorán will also hold its own festival. Events will begin at 7.00 pm with a performance by Orquesta Tropin. The bonfire will be lit at 9.00 pm, and half an hour later the open-air dance will continue with David Pérez.
In La Laguna, events have been organised in several areas, including the Padre Anchieta housing estate, the San Juan neighbourhood, the Aguere housing estate, La Punta and Bajamar.
In La Punta, the programme will begin at 6.00 pm with a Mass in honour of St John the Baptist, sung by the Punta Hidalgo senior citizens’ folk group. This will be followed by a pilgrimage procession and cold-fire sparklers at 10.00 pm.
The Aguere, Acaymo and Las Cañas Neighbourhood Association will celebrate the twenty-second edition of its San Juan festivities with a social gathering from 6.00 pm. The programme includes a performance by the Las Mercedes folk band, a paella tasting, music from the Nueva Latina Orchestra and the lighting of the bonfire at 9.30 pm.
In San Juan Square, from 8.30 pm, there will be a paseo del haragán, or parade of the idlers, with musical accompaniment and a paella feast. In Bajamar, the Isogue Pensioners’ Club Association will hold its San Juan festival at 10.00 pm.
Puerto de la Cruz, Garachico and San Juan de la Rambla
Puerto de la Cruz will once again host one of the biggest San Juan celebrations in the Canary Islands. Events will begin at 6.30 pm with the traditional procession of the San Juan effigy from the Municipal Market to Playa Jardín. This will be especially significant as it marks the first time the procession has returned to the beach since its reopening in June 2025.
The bonfire is scheduled to be lit at 10.00 pm. Before that, Caracolas will perform at 9.00 pm, followed by Jeita at 11.00 pm and La Chalana at 1.00 am, with their tribute to Maná.
The municipality will also maintain two of its most emblematic San Juan traditions: the decoration of the historic fountains and the Baño de las Cabras, which will take place on the morning of 24 June.
In Garachico, only two bonfires will be authorised this year: one at La Caleta de Interián and another at El Muelle de Garachico. At the latter location, there will be background music throughout the evening, and the traditional midnight swim will also take place.
San Juan de la Rambla will once again be one of the most striking places to experience the festival in Tenerife. On the eve of the celebration, the traditional Resonar del Bucio will take place, with participants descending from the Risco del Mazapé carrying torches and blowing sea conch shells.
The following day, the municipality will stage the spectacular Encendido del Risco del Mazapé, one of the most visually impressive moments of the Canary Islands’ popular festivals. The event will be followed by a concert by Los Cantadores.
Tacoronte and Tegueste
In Tacoronte, the neighbourhood of San Juan Bautista will host the municipality’s only authorised bonfire. The festivities will begin at 7.30 pm with a Mass, followed by a procession accompanied by the Banda Santa Cecilia.
The celebrations will then continue in Fray Diego Park with a performance by the Parranda Los Desconocidos, a communal toast and several fireworks displays.
In Tegueste, the Department of Tourism has organised a special San Juan trail, subject to prior registration. The activity combines hiking, gastronomy and tradition, and includes a guided walk, the lighting of a bonfire and a tasting of potatoes, corn on the cob and ribs.
Safety measures for St John’s Night in Tenerife
The Tenerife Island Council has reminded the public that bonfires are generally prohibited in areas at risk of forest fires, unless exceptional authorisation has been granted. It is also forbidden to burn tyres, plastics, varnished furniture or any other material that could generate polluting gases or pose a risk of explosion.
Bonfires must be kept away from homes, power lines, vegetation and other risk areas. Organisers must also give prior notice of the event to their corresponding local council.
To ensure that these measures are respected, a special safety operation will be deployed across Tenerife on the night of 23 June. The operation will involve the Tenerife Fire Service Consortium, the Forest Fire Brigades, volunteer firefighters and Civil Protection teams.
In total, more than 150 personnel will be on duty to monitor the celebrations, respond to incidents and help ensure that St John’s Night can be enjoyed safely across the island.
