The San Juan Night festivities are arriving at the Valencian beaches this Tuesday, marking one of the most anticipated nights of the year. Thousands of people are expected to gather on the sands from 8 PM onwards to celebrate the arrival of the solstice with outdoor dinners, music, and the traditional jump over the waves at midnight. Municipalities have implemented various safety measures for the celebration.
One of the main restrictions, which is fought for each year, is the prohibition of lighting bonfires on the sand. Locations such as La Pobla de Farnals, Canet, Cullera, El Perelló, and Sueca will not permit fire to prevent damage. In contrast, in Gandia and the city of Valencia, it will be allowed, with limitations. In Gandia, only on Platja Nord, and in Valencia, over 25 tons of firewood will be distributed starting at 4:30 PM, with more than 200 agents on surveillance.
Entertainment activities will not cease. Orchestras, mobile discos, and fireworks will be present in various towns. In La Pobla de Farnals, the party will begin at midnight with the lighting of a bonfire and a fireworks display, followed by a performance by the Orquestra Wanda. The town council will also offer a free bus service between the urban center and the beach from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, June 24th, to avoid car congestion.
In Valencia, a special mobility service has been established from 4 PM to 9 AM on Wednesday, affecting several bus lines. In Sagunto, the celebration will start at 10:30 PM with an itinerant fire and percussion show, followed by fireworks at the maritime port at 11:59 PM. In Canet d'en Berenguer, the night will begin at 8 PM with a street parade and a midnight fireworks display, accompanied by the DJ festival Mar d'Arrels.
The municipality of Sagunto has already initiated festive activities since last Saturday, June 20th, with a tribute festival and a zombie survival event on Monday, June 22nd.
To cope with the large influx of people and potential incidents, town councils have reinforced security. The number of agents will be increased, and violet points will be established to offer information and support. In La Pobla de Farnals and Valencia, the lifeguard and rescue service will be maintained, with professional teams available until the early morning. In Valencia, approximately 60 health professionals and lifeguards are expected.
The police deployment has also been expanded, with 56 agents on the beaches of Sagunto and over 300 in Valencia, including drone surveillance and canine units. Furthermore, the cleaning operation has been reinforced, with 26 people in Sagunto starting at 5 AM and 240 people in Valencia to clean the beaches after the celebration.
The sand replenishment works in Cullera, El Perelló, and Sueca will prevent the celebration of San Juan Night on some of their beaches. Access will be prohibited to the central section of Cullera's southern coastline and the stretch between Les Palmeres and El Perelló. In areas where access is permitted, safety measures will remain in place, such as the prohibition of bonfires, alcohol consumption, and the entry of glass containers.
El Perelló will be the locality with the most atypical night, as its beach has been closed since June 1st due to conditioning work. The reopening of the beaches in Sueca, Cullera, and El Perelló will be carried out progressively between June 25th and July 3rd, with El Perelló being the last section to reopen.
