Jo Chipchase on the infamous Lanjarón water fight, that has recently become a Fiesta of National Tourism Interest in Spain
FOR ‘CANONEROS’ (residents of Lanjarón), and Alpujarrenans from further afield, the annual Lanjarón Water Fight (‘carrera’ de agua’‘) – part of the town’s ‘Fiesta de San Juan’ – means one thing. Namely, getting soaked to the skin on the night of June 23/June 24. This unique spectacle involves buckets, water pistols, firehoses, and more ‘agua‘ than you could ever imagine!
Recently, the (in)famous Lanjarón water fight has received one of Spain’s main tourism accolades. It has been declared a ‘Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional‘. This places it amongst the country’s recognised celebrations. It is the first festival in Granada province to receive the distinction.
For locals, the award confirms how their homespun Lanjarón water fight has grown over the years. What began as a community celebration, built around Lanjarón’s abundance of ‘mucho agua‘ (lots of water), has grown into one of Andalucía’s most renowned fiestas. This is testament to the successful (and unusually proactive) PR activities of the current Lanjarón administration, headed by mayor Eric Escobedo Jiminez.
Some people might have preferred the quieter “old days”, and dislike “the PR machine” and social media proliferation…. but time marches on…
This year’s programme
This year’s San Juan fiesta programme including the Lanjarón Water Fight.
From local tradition to national recognition
The water fight element of the ‘Fiesta del Agua y del Jamón’ in Lanjarón dates to 1980 – a year after organisers created the annual celebration to reflect the town’s association with water. Bottled spring water deriving from springs above Lanjarón is sold through France and Spain. The town also has tourism based on its ‘balneario’ (spa).
Over time, the Lanjarón water fight (or race) evolved from a local gathering into a major tourism attraction.
Those who remember San Juan in the 1980s, 1990s, and even early 2000s, describe a more intimate feel. Neighbours knew one another, the crowds were smaller, and some of the water came from buckets and garden hoses – not just the powerful, municipal fire hoses that lurk round every corner! Even in 2008, South of Granada recollect it being a smaller event, without attention from TV crews.
Today, thousands of visitors descend on Lanjarón on June 23 – some transported to the town using coaches. Andalucia’s main TV channel, Canal Sur, is usually in attendance – with camera kit wrapped in plastic coverings!
Hotels fill up, social media alights, and a security company controls the main street, with personnel and barriers. This security became necessary when the Lanjarón water fight started attracting sufficient out-of-town revellers to make word-of-mouth rules difficult to enforce. For example, guests might throw water well before midnight, soaking visitors and their luggage, and do unspeakable things in plant pots!
The transformation has been gradual – from local tomfoolery into public spectacle. Nowadays, the Lanjarón water fight is defining moment of the Alpujarra’s summer calendar. It occurs just after school closes, , giving many people a sense of liberation.
But do you want to get wet?
Why the Lanjarón water fight celebrates ‘mucho agua’
Water has shaped Lanjarón for centuries. This explains the frequent chant of “mucho agua, mucho agua” at its fiestas! The residents are proud of their heritage with pure mountain water running down from the south flank of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Long before the Lanjarón water fight was a “thing”, visitors came for the mineral spring water and spa traditions. The town’s identity remains closely tied to this natural resource.
Spain’s Ministry of Tourism highlighted the event’s connection to local heritage, community participation, and the historical importance of water to the Lanjarón when granting the award.
Is it a fight or a race? Or neither!
Despite its name, the Lanjarón water fight, or ‘Carrera del Agua’ , is neither a race nor a fight in the conventional sense. There are no winners or prizes. No referees. The finishing line is vague (the municipal plaza!).
It goes as follows. Shortly before midnight on June 23, thousands of revellers – dressed in swimwear, wacky waterproof garb rubber rings, and other inventive items – gather in the streets with a palpable sense of excitement. Just before midnight, they are routed to the official course through the town centre. This starts a the top end of town (the Hotel Sol roundabout) and proceeds down the main street, towards the Plaza.
The event starts (and) ends with a large “bang” that sounds like a cannon (the ‘canónero’ theme).
Meanwhile, guests staying in nearby hotels are hermetically sealed inside until 1am (woe betide arriving with your suitcase at 12.10am!). The Ayuntamiento balcony is a coveted viewpoint, from which town councillors and invited guests watch the enthusiastic (and rather wet) hordes arriving in the plaza. Balconies along the route are also prime viewpoints!
The Lanjarón water fight is based around controlled(ish) chaos. The fiesta organisers are good at event management, and have reacted to challenges over the years (such as the plant pot debacle – they built a toilet block!).
During the hour of the “race”, residents lean over balconies, throwing buckets of water. Municipal fire hydrants drench the crowd, people scoop water from ‘fuentes’ (fountains) and the ground – filling buckets and water pistols. Within seconds, everyone is soaked to the skin.
Sometimes, groups of people sit on the ground, pretending to row a boat. There may also be drummers adding to the vibe.
For many visitors, this is a unique experience!
Not all the action happens at midnight
The main Lanjarón water fight is the key attraction of 23 June, but locals (and savvy visitors) have another option. During the daytime, there is a more tranquil water race, aimed at families and the feint of heart!
The daytime water race – held at 1.30pm in the main street – attracts local families, children, and visitors who want to dip their toe into the scene without the major drenching experience!
There are fewer crowds, and warmer temperatures to dry your clothes afterwards. This is a bonus if you don’t have a change of outfit.
South of Granada prefers the daytime Lanjarón water fight – it is a homespun affair and retains the original spirit of the fiesta.
Wristbands and practical information
Thanks to the popularity of the Lanjarón water fight, entry to the main event requires a wristband.
For the 2026 celebrations, wristbands became avaiable from 25 May at the Lanjarón Town Hall and Tourist Office.
Visitors should obtain them in advance, as demand can be high closer to San Juan (although, this year, it falls on a Wednesday, which might curb demand just a tad).
Big Ibiza-style DJ show after the Lanjarón water fight
For many people, midnight is just the start of the fun! Once the Lanjarón water fight finishes, celebrations continue in the plaza with live music and DJs. There’s usually an attempt to instil an “Ibizan” feel into the proceedings, with go-go dancers and people jiggling on-stage in their “smalls”.
This year’s programme includes Fercho Energy – scheduled to start playing at around 1am.
The fiesta continues until the morning. However, the debris is successfully removed before the solemn Romeria for San Juan occurs at 11am. For this event, some of the revellers down a ‘Stop Resaca’ tablet and don their Sunday best. They then stroll, in the hot sun, up to the Parque de Salao. Don’t forget your fan and bottled water!
Even if you feel rough, it won’t just be you in that state…
Mojate!
Image gallery
Lanjarón Water Fight photos: J. Chip
Timeline: The rise of the Lanjarón Water Fight
1979 – Modern ‘Fiestas del Agua y del Jamón‘ established.
1980s – ‘Carrera del Agua‘ develops into the centrepiece of the celebrations.
1990s–2000s – Visitor numbers grow steadily and the event gains recognition beyond Andalucía.
2018 – Fiesta recognised as a Festival of Andalusian Tourist Interest.
2022 – Large-scale post-pandemic return of the fiesta attracts thousands of participants.
2025 – The event continues to draw national media attention and major crowds.
2026 – The Lanjarón Water Fight receives ‘Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional‘ status.
Advice for the Lanjarón Water Fight
We have done it before! We know what happens. Here are some top tips for enjoying the Lanjarón Water Fight relatively safely!
- Leave the flip-flops at home. Wet streets and rampaging people are not a good combination with flimsy footwear that exposes your tootsies and also slips. Trainers or shoes with decent grip are strongly recommended.
- Bring a towel and spare clothes. Do you want to be a drowned rat at the Ibiza-style party?
- Protect your phone. A waterproof pouch costs very little and can save your device.
- Don’t drink the water. It may sound obvious, but ground water at this event is not clean! It has… all sorts in it! Remember those plant pot scandals!
- Leave valuables behind. Expensive jewellery, watches, and that heirloom ring that you inherited are not needed.
- Pace yourself. The Lanjarón water fight is not a DRINKING RACE! Falling over and hurting yourself isn’t fun!
- Embrace the chaos. At some point your plans (or phone) will probably stop working. You may lose your friends, your mind, or feel too WET. This is all part of the fun!