The Best Bonfires All Year Round

While the fires of San Juan has just passed , we write a list of the best bonfire all year round.

Moray Luke bag and solstice bonfire

Photo credit; Wayne O Watson

When shooting this editoral for our Solstice issue, I built my first bonfire. I thought it would be another prop, many we use in editorials. However it satisfied an urge that I didn't think I had. The experience of the bonfire made me realise how detached from primal rituals we are in everyday, digital life. While we are fortunate not to need to hunt for our food any longer, bonfires should still be part of our lives.

Here are some of the best bonfires.

Fiesta de San Juan, Spain 23rd of June 2024

Las Hogueras de San Juan is a major celebration in Spain in areas such as in Alicante, Galicia, Valencia, Balearic Islands, Sevilla, and Malaga.

In Valencia, participants leap over bonfires seven times to attract good fortune. In Galicia, the tradition toughens with nine jumps over bonfires, symbolizing local resilience. Meanwhile, in the Balearic Islands, people discard old belongings into the flames, while in Sevilla and Malaga, midnight brings a ritual cleansing of the face to usher in renewal.

Guy Fawkes Night, Lewes, England November the 5th 2024

Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is a traditional British celebration dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament. Despite it waning in popularity due to its more American cousin Halloween, occuring days prior, its resugence has

Whilst Lewes, a quaint Sussex Town on the South Coast of England. This town is so famous for the night, the celebrations are usually limited to the town, with police keeping outsiders out, however if youre in the Sussex area at the time, you may be lucky to get in.

Helly Aa January the 28th 2025

Lerwick, Shetland Islands

Lerwick, the capital of Shetland, holds the archipelago's largest annual fire festival. Helly Aa celebrating Shetland history with a spectacular display of community spirit and Viking heritage. The roots of Up Helly Aa can be traced back to the Norse influence on the Shetland Islands, which were part of the Viking world from the 8th to the 15th centuries. The festival echoes ancient Viking customs, particularly the tradition of celebrating the end of the Yule season with fire.

The event is entirely volunteer-run, with preparations taking nearly a year and involving thousands of people.

Holi, various locations in India (and worldwide) Fri, 14 Mar 2025

Holi is a Hindu festival primarily celebrated in India and among Hindu communities worldwide. While the famous part of the festival is Rangwali Holi, the prelude to that celebration is a bonfire celebration honouring the legends of Lord Krishna and Radha, and the triumph of good over evil.

It is strictly observed that Holika Dahan should not commence before sunset to avoid potential misfortunes. Timing is crucial, with the ritual ideally performed during a specific period known as Pradosh Kaal, when day and night are believed to converge harmoniously.

Lewes

San Juan 

June

In Andalucia, San Juan is celebrated on the night of June 23rd with some towns, such as Almuñécar, in Granada, allowing the beaches to be used as campsites for a single night.

Lewes, Bonfire

November

Beltane

Lohri