Night of San Juan in Malaga
Every 23 June, Malaga does something the rest of coastal Spain does too, but louder, and with a 10-metre papier-mache giant.
The Night of San Juan marks the summer solstice. On beaches across the city, bonfires are lit, a crowd of thousands gathers on La Misericordia, and at midnight a huge sculpted figure Рthe j̼a Рgoes up in flames to firecrackers. A 14-minute fireworks show follows. All of it is free.
It’s one of the best nights of the year to be in Malaga. Here’s everything you need to know to do it properly.
When is the night of San Juan in Malaga?
Although summer officially starts on 21 June, the night of San Juan falls on 23 June, a Tuesday in 2026. Expect all-night celebrations on the beaches in Malaga.
What does it celebrate?
The feast of St John (Juan) provides the religious element but this event is all about the summer solstice. The shortest night of the year traditionally celebrates the arrival of summer.
Is San Juan for you?
The Night of San Juan is ideal if you’re in Malaga on or around 23 June and want to experience something genuinely local — free, outdoors, and unlike anything on the tourist trail. And take part in a Mediterranean tradition.
What happens on the night of San Juan in Malaga?
Malaga celebrates San Juan with fire, gunpowder and music. Our map below shows the location of all three.
Bonfires
Giant bonfires are lit on all beaches with the main focuses on La Malagueta and La Misericordia, the city’s two largest beaches.
Júas
Many parts of Spain burn figures during La Noche de San Juan. In Malaga, these figures are known as júas. They’re made of wood, cloth and papier-mache and represent politicians, celebrities or topics from current affairs.
The júa is usually huge – it typically measures 5m at its diametre and rises up to 10 or 12m high. It’s always burnt to a cinder at midnight on 23 June.
The largest one in Malaga is built on La Misericordia beach. Themes over the last few years have been Malaga Football Club (rising from the ashes like a phoenix), the war in Ukraine and the price of olive oil.
The theme for 2026 was “From a bad winter to a fun summer’, refering the long, wet winter, symbolising the banishing of bad weather and welcoming the summer.
In 2025, cybercrime was the topic, with the giant model representing cyberfraud, pirate bots, false identities and fake news. The idea is that by burning this júa, the virtual world will be purged of cybercrime (we’d all be grateful if it worked!).
The júa is burnt at midnight together with firecrackers on the beach near Glorieta 1 de mayo on La Misericordia seafront promenade (opposite the Diputación building towards the west end of promenade – follow the crowds!).
Live music
A band will be playing from 10.30pm until 1am on the Glorieta 1 de mayo.
Fireworks
Set off just after midnight at the west end of La Misericordia beach once the júa has burnt. The firework show lasts for 14 minutes and consists of five phases.
The fireworks will be visible from most other Malaga beaches – those in El Palo and Pedregalejo where Malaga Bay curves round have reasonable views.
Before you go
When to arrive. Get to La Misericordia by 10pm at the latest. The beach fills up fast and the best spots in front of the júa go early. If you’ve booked a table at one of the seafront restaurants, aim for 9pm. And yes, book it well in advance.
How busy is it. Very. This is one of the biggest nights of the year in Malaga — tens of thousands of people on and around the beach. Keep valuables secure, agree a meeting point with your group and don’t expect to move quickly once the crowds build.
What to bring. A blanket or something to sit on, a light layer for later in the night (it cools down near the sea), water, and your picnic. Bin bags are a must for your rubbish – don’t be like many locals who unfortunately leave their rubbish on the beach.
Families. The event is 100% family-friendly and you’ll see lots of local families there. The fireworks are visible from the promenade as well as the beach, which makes it easier with pushchairs. Bear in mind that the júa burns at midnight, so younger children may not make it that far (all local children will!).
Accessibility. The promenade along La Misericordia is flat and paved, and gives a clear view of both the júa and the fireworks. A good option if the beach itself isn’t practical for you.
What’s not allowed. No open bonfires on any Malaga beach, no sky lanterns, no helium balloons.
How to get to La Misericordia beach from central Malaga
Your best bet is by public transport, either by bus or metro.
Bus to La Misericordia
Take the No 7 bus from the south side of the Alameda Principal and get off at the Camino de la Térmica Central stop or the Camino de la Térmica/ Imperio Argentina stop. Then walk to the beach, about 100m.
For the return journey, you need to get the N3 bus, which runs all night, from Avenida Gregorio de Diego. The 1.5km walk takes around 25 minutes.
Read our guide to getting the bus in Malaga
Metro to La Misericordia
Take Line 1 from Atarazanas station in the Alameda Principal and change to Line 2 at Guadalmedina station. Get off at the last stop (Palacio de los Deportes) and walk east to the beach, about 500m.
The metro usually runs until 1.30am on the Noche de San Juan, so you can catch it back to the city centre after the fireworks.
Read our guide to getting the metro in Malaga
What about getting there by taxi or Uber?
Both are good options to get to La Misericordia, although be prepared for a slightly longer journey because of busy traffic around the beach area. For the return journey, your best bet to walk a block or two away from the beach and order your cab from there.
What should you eat on the night of San Juan?
Beach picnics obviously but make your San Juan in Malaga extra special with some grilled sardines (at their best at the moment) washed down with a glass of cool beer or chilled wine at one of the beach restaurants.
Also available on the barbecue are fresh squid, octopus, prawns and just about any whole fish.
Best chiringuitos
Any of the beach restaurants on La Misericordia beach have good views of the fireworks, but if you want to be as close as possible, book at Vicen Playa, Chiriguito El Espigon, Majumi Beach Club or Restaurante Casa Lucas
What are typical San Juan traditions?
Most traditions involve water, fire and wishes, and all of them focus on the year ahead.
Swim at midnight – take a dip in the Mediterranean to cleanse yourself of all the bad vibes and ensure happiness for the next 12 months. Purists enter the water walking backwards.
Beauty treatment – splash your hands and face with seawater at midnight for guaranteed beauty. But don’t look in a mirror to see the effects until well into the next day otherwise all that effort will be wasted 😉
Make a wish – write it on a piece of paper and throw it on one of the bonfires at midnight.
The night of San Juan is just 1 of the many annual events in Malaga. We cover most of them in our guide – take a look via the link below.
Got a San Juan question?
Yes, completely. The júa, the live music, the fireworks — all free.
No. Open bonfires, sky lanterns and helium balloons are all prohibited on Malaga city beaches.
Just after midnight, once the júa has burnt. The show lasts around 14 minutes.
La Misericordia is where the main action is — the júa, the stage and the fireworks are all centred there. You’ll also find lots of people on other beaches in the city, although there are no bonfires or fireworks at these.
Start planning your Noche de San Juan trip to Malaga!
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