San Juan Axarquia

The night of San Juan,The night of San Juan full of traditions, among which are the burning of objects, jumping of flames, waves, making wishes and the classic night bath at midnight, which takes place on all the beaches of Malaga. After two years of hiatus due to the pandemic, the summer solstice is celebrated again. The different city councils of the province have prepared festivities of all kinds in order to welcome the arrival of summer.

This party is not only known for its relation to the night of the beginning of summer (June 21) but also the most magical night of summer with the most light, warmth and energy. It is known that this date gives off a special energy and there are many legends around it.

Why bonfire? The origin of this custom is found in the northern hemisphere, whose ritual consists of lighting a bonfire. The purpose of this ritual was to "give more strength to the sun", which from those days was becoming "weaker" ―the days are getting shorter until the winter solstice. Symbolically, the fire also has a "purifying" function in the people who contemplate it.

Torre del Mar - The night from June 23 to 24 is lived with special intensity on the beaches of Torre del Mar. In addition to the typical bonfires, different musical performances, festivals and the “júas” contest take place, the popular figures that are burned on this special night. The ritual of washing the face with sea water or immersing oneself in the nine waves is also carried out, as established by tradition.

Málaga - Every year on the night of Midsummer's Eve, thousands of Malagans spend the night on the beach to celebrate the arrival of summer. In Málaga, the party is concentrated on the Malagueta Beach, and there are usually live music concerts from the early hours of the night.

It is customary to bring everything necessary for the celebration to be a success on the sand: wood for the bonfires, wishes written on paper to burn, good music and the spirit prepared to enjoy smoked fish (skewered sardines) on the beach.

Nerja - On Burriana beach, the festivities begin around 10:00 p.m. with a popular festival. At 12:00 a.m. the bonfire takes place, with the traditional burning of the júas and the fireworks display. Families and friends gather on the beaches to celebrate the beginning of summer, until late at night.

Torrox - The Night of San Juan will be held in Torrox Pueblo, in the district of Pontil. Starting at 8:00 p.m., various dance and singing performances will be offered in the Plaza de la Concordia.
There will also be a walk, with lit torches, to the river (Torrox river / Patamalara river). The tradition is to get your head wet on the banks of the river. On the way back, special donuts called “roscos de la San Juan” are distributed.

Cómpeta - Although it is a festival that has almost lost its mountain tradition, today young people go to the beach to celebrate “moragas” (cooking recently caught fish by the bonfire). There are people, especially the elderly, who celebrate it the old-fashioned way, in farmhouses and in typical areas, Arroyo Lemon, Cruz del Monte, Tejarejo, Cruz de Zarja, etc.

It was a day of rest dedicated to walking, if possible, to areas that had water, to friendly talk between relatives and neighbors, and to sharing a good snack that necessarily included boiled eggs every year.

On the way back, picking wild flowers, either from the fertile plain or from the mountains, was another obligatory habit.

This was called "sanjuanear".