Local customs profoundly influence the Festival of Fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where participants commemorate their heritage with bonfires, traditional music, and dance. The celebration integrates local customs by involving rituals that symbolize purification and renewal. Families gather on the beach to throw old items into the fire, signifying letting go of negativity from the past, creating a vibrant atmosphere enriched by cultural narratives, emphasizing unity, and reinforcing community ties.