Fiesta

Noche de San Juan

Bonfires on the beach, effigies burned, and everyone in the sea at midnight.

Dates
Night of 23 June, every year

The shortest nights of the year are marked on every Andalusian beach on 23 June. Bonfires are lit, satirical effigies called júas are burned, and at midnight people walk into the sea — traditionally you jump three waves, or wash your face, depending on who you ask.

The Málaga city beaches are the biggest of it: El Palo, Pedregalejo, La Misericordia. Cádiz, Almuñécar and the Costa Tropical do their own versions.

It costs nothing, nothing is booked, and the beaches are packed. Buses run late. Bring something to sit on.