Saint John's Eve

St. John's Eve
Eve of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist
Saint John's Fire with festivities in front of a Christian calvary shrine in Brittany, 1893
Official nameSaint John's Eve
Also calledEve of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist
Observed byRoman Catholic Church
Lutheran Churches
Anglican Communion
TypeChristian, Cultural
SignificanceThe eve of Saint John's Day, which celebrates the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
CelebrationsFireworks, Saint John's bonfires, visiting streams and rivers, watching theatrical dramas related to the life of Saint John the Baptist, and family gatherings
ObservancesChurch services, processions, collecting special plants (e.g. Saint John's wort) and having them blessed by a priest/minister
Ends24 June
Date23 June
Next time23 June 2025 (2025-06-23)
FrequencyAnnual
Related toNativity of Saint John the Baptist

Saint John's Eve, starting at sunset on 23 June, is the eve of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. This is one of the very few feast days marking a saint's birth, rather than their death. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26–37, 56–57) states that John was born six months before Jesus; therefore, the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on 24 June, six months before Christmas.[1] In the Roman calendar, 24 June was the date of the summer solstice, and Saint John's Eve is closely associated with Midsummer festivities in Europe. Traditions are similar to those of May Day and include bonfires (St John's fires), feasting, processions, church services, and gathering wild plants.

  1. ^ Amos, Herbert (22 June 2017). "June 24: The Nativity of John the Baptist". Retrieved 24 June 2018.