Saint John's Night in Malaga
On the night of 23 June Malaga heads to its beaches: live music, the burning of the júa at La Misericordia and fireworks at midnight.
When
Next: Wednesday, June 23, 2027.
On the night of 23 June, the eve of Saint John's Day.
Last time: Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
What it is
Saint John's Night celebrates the arrival of summer and the shortest night of the year with ancient rituals around fire and water. In Malaga people spend the evening on beaches across the city.
The centrepiece is the júa, an ephemeral figure or monument burned on a bonfire. It usually has a critical theme: each year something people want to leave behind is chosen, and burning it symbolises the wish for it to change.
The City Council organises the main celebration on La Misericordia beach, with a municipal júa designed by the Fiestas department, live music and a fireworks display.
Where
On all the city's beaches. The municipal event takes place on La Misericordia beach, by the 1º de Mayo roundabout on the Antonio Banderas promenade, where the júa is burned; the fireworks are launched from the Térmica breakwater.
Get directions
EMT reinforces its night lines and several daytime lines to the seafront that night; in 2026 it doubled the capacity of night lines 1, 2 and 4.
Customs and traditions
At midnight the municipal júa is burned and the fireworks begin. Families and groups of friends spend the night on the sand.
The beach bylaw forbids lighting bonfires directly on the sand; the City Council sets up drop-off points for materials on several beaches. Releasing sky lanterns is not allowed either, because of the nearby airport.
The next morning a special cleaning operation gets the beaches ready for bathers.
FAQ
What is the júa?
An ephemeral monument, usually with a critical theme, that is burned on the bonfire on Saint John's Night to symbolically say goodbye to what it represents.
Where is the municipal Saint John's celebration held?
On La Misericordia beach, next to the Antonio Banderas promenade.
Can you light bonfires on the sand?
No. Malaga's beach bylaw forbids bonfires directly on the sand.
Can you release sky lanterns?
No. Because of where the beaches are and how close they are to the airport, it is not allowed.