When the sun goes down on San Juan Eguna, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, many a bonfire is set ablaze in the Basque Country to mark the celebration.
Txoko Ona has brought this unique celebration to Homedale.
Join us for the San Juan Eguna Basque Festival at Txoko Ona on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
12:00 PM | *Tony Larrocea 8 King Mus Tournament
5:00 PM | Gates Open
6:00 - 7:30 PM | Dance & Musical Performances by the Oinkari Basque Dancers, Herribatza Danzariak and Txantxangorriak
7:30 PM | Children & Adult Games
Live Music by Hori Bai
9:30 PM | Bonfire & Performance of San Juan Zortziko
Whether you are Basque or Basque-at-heart, join us for a unique festival experience!
The festival will feature food, beverages, dance and musical performances, games for children and adults, live music, and a bonfire!
This is a FREE, family-friendly event. Chairs and shade canopies are welcome. Please leave pets and outside food and beverages at home.
*Contact John Lejardi to register and learn more about the mus tournament. (208) 573-2495
About San Juan Eguna
When the sun goes down on June 23rd, many a bonfire is set ablaze to mark San Juan Eguna, the feast day of St. John the Baptist.
Basques became Christianized around the 8th century by most estimates. In an earlier time, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, must have seemed magical and it spawned a wide assortment of rituals throughout Europe. In the case of the Basques, we are not certain what those pre-Christian rituals were, but what has survived is their rough form with a new Christian context. Thus, what we now know as San Juan Eguna, the day of St. John the Baptist, seems likely to have been adaptations of earlier rituals marking a day when it seemed as if the sun stood still in the sky.
The arrival of San Juan Eguna is marked by parties, festivals, neighborhood rituals, and of course the omnipresent bonfires. There are many places in the Basque Country that celebrate this holiday in big ways or it can be as simple as a group of neighbors joining together to build a bonfire. In addition, herbs are gathered on the morning of San Juan and kept throughout the year. Legend has it that the ashes cure skin diseases and that one should jump the fire a minimum of three times to have a good year.
For some, it still marks a special day on their religious calendar. For others, the rituals of San Juan Eguna still serve as a way of bringing the community together.