The event was started by a Mallorcan named Toni Torrents in 1993. After coming to Barcelona with his family, he decided to also bring with him the flagship celebration of his village, where they mounted bonfires, sang, danced, and enjoyed barbequed food. The neighborhood of Gracia has warmly welcomed the tradition as one of their own, incorporating some of its cultural groups and associations into the main lineup of entertainment.
Every year in the middle of January, Barcelona honors Sant Antoni Abat (English: Saint Anthony the Abbot) in a series of events that take place over two consecutive weekends. The following weekend (usually the last in the month), a Mallorcan version of the celebration quite literally lights up the neighborhood of Gracia.