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23 June marks Noche de San Juan — Spain's midsummer celebration when bonfires light up beaches across the country. On the Costa del Sol, this centuries-old tradition brings communities to the water's edge to honour the summer solstice with fire, ritual, and sea. Whether you're in Torremolinos, Fuengirola, or Benalmádena, the night follows patterns shaped by both medieval magic and modern festival energy.
The name refers to Saint John the Baptist, but the roots run deeper — to pre-Christian midsummer rites believed to cleanse and protect. In Spain, Noche de San Juan became the night when locals and visitors gather on beaches for hogueras (bonfires) and traditions meant to bring luck, health, and love through the coming year.
The hoguera is the evening's centrepiece. As darkness falls, large bonfires are lit on the sand, and people gather in groups around the flames. The ritual has structure, though it plays out slightly differently in each town.
Just before midnight, locals burn written wishes on small pieces of paper — sometimes called "desires" or júas — which they toss into the flames. The tradition holds that whatever you ask for, as the paper burns, the wish carries upward. Many people write on small scraps, fold them, and wait for the right moment to cast them in.
At midnight, the evening reaches its peak. Around the bonfires, you'll see the tradition of hoguera jumping — groups gathering at the flames as part of centuries-old midsummer ritual. It's something many locals observe from a distance, others participate in. The atmosphere is festive rather than formal.
After the bonfires reach their height, another tradition unfolds at the water's edge. As part of the officially organised celebrations, the midnight sea walk is one of the most distinctive moments of the night — people make their way to the shoreline, some wading in, following the belief that the sea at San Juan carries cleansing and renewing power. Live music accompanies many of these celebrations, providing a soundtrack while people mill around the sand, some singing, some simply watching the flames.
Noche de San Juan - Torremolinos takes place on the beaches of La Carihuela, the neighbourhood that faces the water directly. The event runs from 20:00 to 03:00, organised by the Hermandad de Marineros Virgen del Carmen — the local fishermen's brotherhood. Bonfires light up the sand between chiringuitos K6 and K7, near the waterfront restaurants and beach bars. The crowd is relaxed and mixed — locals and tourists together. Admission is free. Most people arrive by early evening to claim a spot near the water.
Noche de San Juan — Fuengirola gathers at Playa de San Francisco starting at 21:00. Bonfires line the shoreline, and live music begins around 21:30. This celebration includes the central rituals — the burning of wishes at midnight and the sea walk — plus fireworks that erupt late in the evening. Like Torremolinos, it's free to attend and completely informal. The beach fills gradually through the evening, so arriving by 21:30 gives you a good vantage point.
Benalmádena marks a shift from a single night to a full week. Feria de San Juan — Benalmádena (Arroyo de la Miel) opens on 23 June at 21:00 with beach bonfires at Playa Bil-Bil and Playa Santa Ana. The first night follows the San Juan traditions: fires, wishes, the midnight sea walk. But at 01:00, the night takes a spectacular turn. From Castillo Bil-Bil — a castle overlooking the coast — a pyromusical display begins. Fireworks choreographed to music burst above the sea and castle walls in a production that runs several minutes.
After that first night, the Feria continues through 24–29 June. By day, Arroyo de la Miel hosts the Feria de Día — stalls, craft vendors, food. By evening, the Recinto Ferial at Parque de la Paloma comes alive with casetas (tent pavilions), live orchestras, and sevillanas dancing. The atmosphere is fair-like: families, food, music, and celebration stretched across a week.
Other beaches along the Costa del Sol — including Málaga city — also observe Noche de San Juan, though without dedicated event organisation. Expect informal gatherings and bonfires, but less structure than in the towns listed above.
Arrive early if you want a prime spot near the bonfire. Bring a blanket or low chair — you'll be sitting on the sand for several hours. The beaches fill steadily from dusk onwards.
The chiringuitos are exceptionally busy on San Juan night. If you want to eat or drink, either book a table ahead or eat before the sun sets and the crowd arrives. Many restaurants fill completely by 22:00.
Bring cash. Some vendors and smaller establishments don't take cards, and the beaches can have limited connectivity on busy nights.
Dress for a warm June evening, but bring a light layer. The beach cools after midnight, and sea breezes pick up. If you plan to wade or swim, bring a towel and a change of clothes.
No tickets are required for any of these celebrations. Admission is free across the board. If you drive, arrive early to find parking — many people take taxis or public transport to avoid the hassle.