The Costa Del Sol Guide

Every year on the night of 23 June, Fuengirola's beaches light up for one of the most magical evenings on the Costa del Sol — the Noche de San Juan. It's the Spanish midsummer bonfire night, and Fuengirola celebrates it on the beach with the same exuberance as anywhere in Andalusia. The focus is Playa de San Francisco, where bonfires are lit along the shoreline from early evening and the atmosphere builds steadily through the night. Live music gets underway from around 9:30 pm, and the crowd swells as midnight approaches. At the stroke of twelve, the famous júas are burned — effigies stuffed with sawdust and paper that symbolise the troubles of the past year going up in smoke — and a fireworks display lights up the sky above the sea. The traditions include writing wishes on paper to throw into the flames, and wading into the sea barefoot at midnight — part of the official celebration organised by the Ayuntamiento. You'll also see the age-old practice of hoguera jumping taking place around the bonfires, one of many midsummer rituals observed on the night. It's one of the most atmospheric, participatory and tourist-accessible events of the entire summer — no tickets, no formalities, just show up. ✨ Highlights: 🔥 Bonfires along Playa de San Francisco from early evening 🎶 Live music from 9:30 pm 🎆 Fireworks at midnight 💃 Burning of the júas — effigy bonfire tradition 🌊 Traditional midnight sea walk — part of the official celebration 🆓 Free — no tickets required

Benalmádena's Feria de San Juan is one of the most enjoyable fairs on the Costa del Sol — a week-long celebration in the village of Arroyo de la Miel that kicks off with the drama of San Juan night and carries on through six full days and nights of traditional Andalusian festivity. San Juan Night (23 June): The fair opens with bonfires at Playa Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana, the burning of the júas at midnight and a spectacular pyromusical display launched from Castillo Bil-Bil at 1:00 am — fireworks choreographed to music above the sea and the castle walls. One of the most dramatic San Juan displays on the entire coast. The Fair (24–29 June): From 24 June, the Feria de Día comes to life in the town centre of Arroyo de la Miel with music, street performers and a relaxed daytime atmosphere. Evenings shift to the Recinto Ferial at Parque de la Paloma — casetas, live music, dancing sevillanas and the full fairground experience, running every night until the early hours. ✨ Highlights: 🏰 Pyromusical from Castillo Bil-Bil at 1:00 am on San Juan night 🔥 Bonfires at Playa Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana on 23 June 🎪 Six-night fair at Parque de la Paloma: 24–29 June 💃 Casetas, sevillanas and live orchestras nightly 🌞 Daytime fair in Arroyo de la Miel town centre 🆓 Free entry