Are you in Malaga for Midsummer night on 23rd June? Then don’t miss this ancient festival that takes place on beaches all along the coastline, with thousands of people celebrating the start of summer!
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Midsummer Night in Malaga
Many cultures celebrate the night of the summer solstice on 21 June with fires and rituals. This is also the case in Malaga, although the date varies slightly.
On the night of the 23rd to the 24th of June almost everybody joins in the big traditional party, which in these parts is of course celebrated – on the beach!
Here are some of the plans along the Costa del Sol for the night of 23-24 June.
Regardless of the programmed activities that we tell you about, the whole coastline is full of life during that night. So all you need to do is go to your nearest beach and enjoy!
Midsummer Traditions in Malaga
Well, now you know, one of the most magical nights of the year will take place on the beach. And what else?
Fun & Good Company
Traditionally, friends and families gather around a small bonfire on the sand. They spend the evening outside, chatting, making music, having a barbecue. And there’s food and drink to be shared in good company.
The night of “San Juan” is the big celebration to welcome the summer. Many municipalities in Malaga organise live music concerts and fireworks at midnight.
Water
One of the traditions is to take a midnight swim.
Others dip their feet in the sea water at midnight and make a wish or jump several waves at that time.
According to tradition, touching the sea water on Midsummer’s Eve attracts fortune for the whole year, and banishes bad omens.
So put on your swimming costume under your clothes and take a small towel with you – you can’t be in Malaga on Midsummer’s Eve without a swim! Besides, the water is great.
Fire
One of the midsummer traditions was the jumping of the bonfire, but they are forbidden on the beaches of Malaga. Townhalls increasingluy control open fires to avoid incidents. We tell you about it below.
One of the most characteristic traditions of the night of San Juan in Malaga is the burning of the “Júa“. It is a large handmade figure that represents a current negative theme that you want to change by burning it.
The fire on the midsummer night in Malaga serves to purify the bad and welcome the new.
Others write little notes with things they want to let go of and give them to the flames or to the sea.
Beaches in Malaga to celebrate Midsummer
As we mentioned, what is the essence of the celebration has been drastically reduced in recent years. It is no longer possible to have an open fire in the sand.
However, in every municipality there are beaches where you can go and have a good time, together with thousands of locals, you will have to see it to believe it.
Nerja
In Nerja, the popular Burriana beach will be the setting for the fiesta. Live music will begin at 10 pm. At midnight, the symbolic burning of the “Júa” will take place, followed by a fireworks display. The festivities will continue with live music, enlivening the night on the beach.
You can not camp and light bonfires on the beaches of Burriana, La Torrecilla and Maro.
Bonfires are permitted, except on the beaches of Burriana, Torrecilla, and Maro. On beaches where they are allowed, you can do so only during the night of the 23rd–24th, from 8 pm on the 23rd until 3 am on the 24th.
Under no circumstances can you lit bonfires directly on the sand. They must be set up on barbecues, in metal containers or on similar devices. You must move ash and debris once extinguished, and leave the area in the same condition as it was prior to the event.
Torre del Mar
The summer solstice celebration takes place on the shores of El Copo beach, running from the afternoon through to the early hours of the morning.
Concerts on the main stage will begin at 9 pm. Admission to the event on the public beach is completely free.
Additionally, a traditional seaside market will be set up in the area from June 20 to 23.
Enjoy a grand culinary tasting featuring traditional charcoal-grilled skewered sardines. There will be the customary midnight burning of handmade rag dolls to ward off bad luck, and a fireworks display over the Mediterranean Sea right at midnight.
And, of course, the classic midnight rituals: join the crowds washing their faces or jumping over the waves at that hour to attract good fortune.
Rincón de la Victoria
Rincón de la Victoria celebrates the Night of San Juan with festivities in La Cala del Moral and Torre de Benagalbón, featuring music, dancing, food and bonfires.
San Juan Program in La Cala del Moral
The festivities kick off on Calle San Juan at 8 pm with music and the opening of the bar. There will be Zumba, Salsa and Bachata classes, followed by live music until 2 am. At midnight, the Júa will be burned in the large beach bonfire.
San Juan Program in Torre de Benagalbón
In Torre de Benagalbón, the celebration will take place at the Old Station starting at 8 pm. There will be various dance groups, distribution of grilled sardines at a very low price, and live music until 1:30 am. At midnight, the San Juan Bonfire will be lit, accompanied by the traditional burning of the Júa effigy.
Malaga
In Malaga city, the beaches La Malagueta and La Misericordia are the epicentres of this celebration. There, thousands of people enjoy live performances.
In addition, there is the traditional burning of the Júa and fireworks at midnight.
Program
- 9:30 pm – Live concerts: Free music and performances on stages set up on the sands of La Malagueta and La Misericordia beaches.
- 12:00 am – Grand Burning of the Júas: Traditional giant rag dolls satirizing current events or popular culture will be set ablaze.
- 12:00 am – Fireworks display: Fireworks launched from the La Térmica breakwater, near La Misericordia Beach. The show lasts approximately 14 minutes and is synchronized with music. It is clearly visible from anywhere along the city’s coastline, especially from the Antonio Banderas Promenade and La Malagueta Beach.
- From midnight onwards – Ritual dip and jumping: A time to observe traditions such as washing one’s face or wetting one’s feet at the water’s edge to attract good luck.
- Late night/Early morning – The beach party continues with music, barbecues and classic sardine skewers (espetos) at the beach bars.
- How to get there: La Misericordia I La Malagueta
Torremolinos
Torremolinos celebrates the Midsummer night in the popular old fishing quarter of La Carihuela.
The Brotherhood of Mariners Virgen del Carmen of La Carihuela is organising the traditional Moraga (Barbecue on the beach, typical of the coast of Malaga province) from 8:30 pm onwards.
There will be a bar with food and drink at popular prices, live music, burning of Júas and a big bonfire at midnight.
Benalmadena
The San Juan celebration in Benalmadena coincides with the start of the San Juan Fair. Festivities in the streets of Arroyo de la Miel-Benalmadena begin at 7 pm. There will be a bar offering affordable prices, a sardine roast, live performances by local dance schools and bands and face painting.
The fair’s lights are switched on at 10 pm, and the burning of the Júas (traditional effigies) takes place at midnight. At 1 am, a spectacular pyromusical show—combining fireworks, lights, and music—will be held near Bil Bil Castle.
You are not permitted to build large, open bonfires directly on the sand on your own. However, the Benalmadena City Council does organize and authorize controlled fires and official activities on the beach during the Night of San Juan.
Fuengirola
The epicentre of the celebrations in Fuengirola will be San Francisco Beach.
Starting at 9:30 pm, there will be live music, followed by fireworks at midnight launched from the San Francisco Beach/Los Boliches area.
Throughout the evening, virtually all the beach bars in Fuengirola will offer the traditional special of sardine skewers and a drink for €5. Live music is also commonly featured on their terraces.
Rag dolls will be burned in authorized bonfires. And people take the traditional midnight dip in the sea for purification and making wishes.
Marbella
In Marbella, the celebration will take place at El Cable beach. Starting at 8 pm and continuing until 2:00 am, there will be live music and various DJs, culminating in the burning of the Júa (effigy) at midnight.
There will also be parallel activities.
Beach bars will be permitted to light controlled bonfires next to their premises. Virtually all establishments along the Marbella coastline will offer special menus featuring traditional sardine skewers and live music.
Estepona
In Estepona, the celebration moves to La Rada Beach. Starting at 9 pm, there will be a DJ, live music, and the burning of the Júas at midnight.
Casares
St. John’s Eve in Casares—located between Estepona and Manilva—promises a celebration filled with leisure, music and tradition by the beach.
Specifically, the festivities will take place at Playa Ancha starting at 5 pm. There will be a “Holi Colors” party, inflatable attractions, and a large play area on both the sand and in the water. There are as well organized water activities.
At 9 pm, there will be a flamenco performance followed by live music, culminating in the traditional lighting of the great St. John’s bonfire.
- Where: Playa Ancha, Casares
- How to get there
Manilva
Plaza Manuel Luna will be the hub of the San Juan celebrations in Manilva, the westernmost municipality on the Costa del Sol.
The festivities begin at 10 pm with live music from the stage set up in the beach area, followed by the burning of the San Juan effigy and a fireworks display.
After the fireworks, the party will continue with live music until the early hours of the morning.
Bonfires are permitted on Manilva’s beaches, but prior authorization must be obtained from the Town Hall. Telephone: +34 952 89 00 65
Midsummer Bonfires? Rules in Malaga & Costa del Sol
The main uniqueness of the Midsummer night is the bonfires.
Many probably still have vivid memories of the entire coastline lit up at night with hundreds of small bonfires and groups of friends and family sitting around them, playing guitar, chatting and eating.
It was around 2018/19 when municipalities began to restrict bonfires in the sand, for supposedly environmental reasons, taking away what is the essence and soul of the celebration of Midsummer.
Nowadays, if you risk lighting your bonfire in the sand, you can get a hefty fine. The same applies even to portable barbecues (from 300 € to 1500 € fine).
The only bonfires allowed are the official ones, the ‘Júas’.
Exceptions to the rule
The good news is that there are always exceptions: It is up to each municipality to authorise them.
There is also another trick to get around the rules: In every municipality along the coast there are authorised areas for barbecues. You may have noticed that on some beaches there are boats on the sand that you can use for this purpose.
Obviously, these barbecue boats are in great demand and you have to ask for permission from the respective town hall.
Where you can still make bonfires
- Nerja: Bonfires are permitted, except on the beaches of Burriana, Torrecilla and Maro.
- Manilva: Subject to prior authorization by the City Council
FAQ
Do the beach bars and restaurants open that night?
Yes. Keep in mind that if you want to have dinner at a beach bar during that night, making a reservation in advance is essential.
Many beach bars set up outdoor counters to sell fast food (sandwiches, skewered fish) and drinks to take down to the sand.
Is it permitted to light fires on the beaches?
No; unfortunately, almost all the municipalities along the Costa del Sol are now banning fires on the beach.
In which municipalities are beach fires permitted?
For San Juan 2026, the only municipalities on the Costa del Sol where fires are permitted are Nerja and Manilva.
- Nerja allows bonfires, except on the beaches of Burriana, Torrecilla, and Maro. Where permitted, fires are allowed only during the night of June 23–24, from 8 pm on the 23rd until 3 pm on the 24th.
Under no circumstances can you light bonfires directly on the sand; they must be contained within barbecues, metal bins or similar receptacles.
- Manilva does permit beach bonfires, but you have to obtain prior authorization from the Town Hall. Telephone: +34 952 89 00 65.
What should I wear to celebrate San Juan in Malaga?
Beachwear, of course! And don’t forget your flip-flops! Although the nights are warm at this time of year, keep in mind that it gets cooler by the sea. So, it’s a good idea to bring something warm to wear, especially if you plan to stay out late.
You’ll also need swimwear and a towel. If you’re celebrating San Juan in Malaga, taking a dip at midnight to attract good luck is practically a must.
What will traffic be like, and where is the best place to park?
Traffic along the coast and on access roads becomes heavy from early afternoon onwards as thousands of people are on the move.
Finding parking near the beach after 8 pm is practically impossible. We recommend using public underground car parks or parking in residential areas further back from the seafront. Alternatively, you can book a private taxi with us. We will take you there and bring you back at the agreed time.
Please note that traffic closures often occur. Major streets—such as the seafront promenades in Marbella, Fuengirola or Malaga city—experience intermittent closures due to the high volume of pedestrians.
Is St. John’s Day a public holiday in Malaga?
No, June 24th (St. John’s Day) is not an official public holiday in Malaga or the municipalities of the Costa del Sol. It is a regular working day, and shops and services operate as usual.
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