Las Luminarias

For one night a year, a quiet village of San Bartolomé de Pinares in central Spain turns into a massive bonfire. According to an ancient tradition, the smoke and flames purify the animals for the coming year, so the horsemen jump through the fires lit on narrow cobblestone streets. 

Ahead of the late night ceremony of Las Luminarias, the whole village becomes busy with preparations. The locals gather the foliage for the bonfires, and they tend to them throughout the night while sharing sangria with friends and family. The horsemen braid the manes and cover the tails of their horses so they don't catch fire as they're running through the flames.

As the parade finishes, the locals gather for a night-long fiesta, grilling meat and bread on the dying fires, sharing food with their friends and neighbours.