A bonfire is a large and controlled outdoor fire, used either for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration.
A midsummer bonfire in Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland
On the beaches of Duindorp (pictured) and Scheveningen, both part of The Hague, teams annually compete to build the world's largest bonfire
Lag BaOmer kumzits in Israel, 1972. Dan Hadani collection, National Library of Israel
Preparations for Holika Dahan Kathmandu, Nepal
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 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. 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, feasting, processions, church services, and gathering wild plants.
Saint John's Fire with festivities in front of a Christian calvary shrine in Brittany, 1893
St John the Baptist by Titian
17th century A.D. Saint John's Eve festivities at the Piazza della Signoria.
People prepare for a Saint John's Day procession and church service in the comune of Esino Lario, Italy.
