Every now and then, this flying life gifts me something truly magical—a moment that unfolds far beyond the aircraft doors. Last summer, I was invited to Alicante, Spain, for the wedding of a fellow flight attendant who had fallen in love with a local. What I didn’t realise until I touched down was that I’d landed smack in the middle of one of Spain’s most vibrant, fiery, and unforgettable festivals: Las Hogueras de San Juan—The Bonfires of Saint John.
This is a visual story of contrasts: vows and fireworks, elegant weddings and blazing streets, quiet joy and wild celebration. Through my lens, I’ve captured the spirit of one extraordinary weekend in Alicante—where love and tradition burned brightly side by side.
A Flight Attendant’s Invitation to a Spanish Summer Wedding
One of the best things about working in aviation is the way our paths cross continents—and how friendships are born above the clouds. A few years ago, I met a fellow crew member on a long-haul flight, and we instantly clicked. When she told me she was marrying her Spanish partner in his hometown of Alicante, I was honoured to be invited.
What started as a simple wedding weekend turned into something so much bigger. I arrived just in time for San Juan, and suddenly, I wasn’t just witnessing a love story—I was immersed in one of Spain’s biggest and brightest festivals.
What Are the Bonfires of San Juan? (Alicante’s Most Explosive Festival)
Held every year from June 20–24, the Bonfires of San Juan (Las Hogueras de San Juan) mark the arrival of summer and the longest day of the year. In Alicante, the celebration is on a massive scale—with towering papier-mâché sculptures called hogueras, non-stop fireworks, parades, beach bonfires, and a contagious party spirit that takes over the entire city.
It’s a festival that honours fire as a force of renewal, a way to burn away the past and welcome the heat, light, and possibility of summer. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, it’s not just a spectacle—it’s a deeply rooted tradition that brings the whole community together.
Parades, Parties & Paper Giants: The Festive Days Before the Fire
The days leading up to La Nit de la Cremà (the Night of the Burning) are a blur of colour, sound, and celebration. Every neighbourhood in Alicante builds its own hoguera, and these towering artistic sculptures—some funny, others political, all of them bold—line the streets like open-air galleries.
There are brass bands playing traditional music, parades with dancers in regional dress, and a contagious sense of excitement. It’s not just for tourists—the locals live and breathe this festival, and their pride is written in every step, every drumbeat, and every flame.
Fire in the Sky: Fireworks & the Midnight Burn
On the night of June 24, the city transforms. The towering hogueras are set ablaze in a spectacular ritual known as La Cremà. Firefighters stand by as each sculpture is engulfed in flames, and the crowd erupts in cheers, music, and emotion.
Above us, the sky explodes with fireworks—la mascletà, a thunderous pyrotechnic tradition unique to this region. The air smells like gunpowder and smoke, and everywhere you look, fire dances on the streets.
It’s dramatic. It’s chaotic. It’s completely unforgettable.
Leaping Flames on Playa del Postiguet
After the burnings in the city, everyone heads to Playa del Postiguet, Alicante’s main beach. Bonfires are lit across the sand, and it is tradition to jump over the flames—three times—for luck, love, and cleansing.
As midnight stretches into the early hours, people gather in groups, music plays, drinks are passed around, and strangers become friends. There’s something raw and beautiful about it all—primitive and joyful at the same time.
A Wedding Wrapped in Firelight
Amidst all the city’s flames, another fire was burning—a quiet, steady one between two people promising a lifetime together. The wedding was held just outside the city, surrounded by friends, family, and Spanish countryside charm.
There were tears, laughter, and the kind of dance floor you only get when cultures collide in the best way. And as the bonfires lit up the city later that weekend, it felt like the whole of Alicante was celebrating too.
Why These Are the Moments I Fly For
It’s weekends like this that remind me why I chose this life. As a flight attendant and travel photographer, I get to witness the world in ways most people don’t—and sometimes, that means being in the right place at the right time for something truly special.
From wedding vows to fire jumps, this weekend was a reminder that life burns brightest when shared—with strangers, with friends, with firelight. I hope this photo series gives you a glimpse into the wild, warm spirit of Alicante in June.
More images from my weekend in Alicante.
Have you ever experienced the Bonfires of San Juan or a wedding abroad that took your breath away? Let me know in the comments—or follow along for more photo stories from this beautiful flying life.
