St John's Eve

Also known as Eve of John the Baptist

evening of June 23, celebration

Key facts

Official name: Saint John's Eve
Also called: Eve of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist
Observed by: Roman Catholic Church , Lutheran Churches , Anglican Communion
Type: Christian , Cultural
Significance: The eve of Saint John's Day , which celebrates the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Celebrations: Fireworks, Saint John's bonfires, visiting streams and rivers, watching theatrical dramas related to the life of Saint John the Baptist , and family gatherings
Observances: Church services , processions , collecting special plants (e.g. Saint John's wort ) and having them blessed by a priest/minister
Ends: 24 June
Date: 23 June
Next time: 23 June 2026 ( 2026-06-23 )
Frequency: Annual

Article

Saint John's Eve, starting at sunset on 23 June, is the eve of the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. It is one of only two feast days marking a saint's earthly birth (the other being the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8 September); all other saint’s days mark their deaths (dies natalis, their “birth” into Heaven), or some other important event. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26–37, 56–57) states that John was born six months before Jesus; thus, the feast of John the Baptist’s birth was fixed on 24 June, six months before Christmas. 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 (Saint John's fires), feasting, processions, church services, and gathering wild plants.

History