{"id":909,"date":"2019-06-20T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T12:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/?p=909"},"modified":"2021-06-21T12:33:18","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T12:33:18","slug":"midsummer-festival-st-john-malaga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.malagaweb.com\/blog\/events\/midsummer-festival-st-john-malaga\/","title":{"rendered":"Midsummer’s Eve: St. John’s bonfires night in Malaga"},"content":{"rendered":"

The next June 23, thousands of people of all ages will celebrate along the coast of Malaga the shortest night of the year<\/strong> at the summer solstice known as the ‘Night of San Juan’ in Spain, also called St. John’s bonfires or Midsummer’s Eve<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

According to the latest news this year 2021 the San Juan Festival will not take place in Malaga. Malaga’s beaches will be closed on the night of San Juan to avoid crowds.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As you can see in the picture, the coastal beaches are floodlit at night with hundreds of bonfires and campfires to spend an evening with friends and family celebrating, eating, drinking, singing and dancing until past the midnight.<\/p>\n

\"Midsummer's<\/a><\/p>\n

It almost doesn\u00b4t matter in which coastal town you are staying during this night; you just have to approach the sea shore and you’re in the middle of the party.<\/p>\n

Many people prepare for that night the “complete kit” for the summer solstice: A bathing suit under your clothes (important if you want to get a bath at midnight), paper and pencil for the rituals, food, drink, barbecues*. There are people who decide going to the beach for the day and don’t go back to home until late.<\/p>\n

(*) Barbecues are an excellent choice where they are allowed. In most municipalities of Malaga they are not on the beach. If interested you have to ask for permission. I guess it is because of the trash from past barbecues.<\/p>\n

History and origin<\/h2>\n

It was known as Summer Solstice festivity. The dances around the bonfire were used to try make the day longer as from then, the days will start to be shorter until the 25th of December, Winter’s Solstice.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/a>
Beside a bonfire at night and on the beach. A magic atmosphere that happen once a year along the coast of Malaga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of the ancient rituals are still preserved, I have included some of the Midsummer’s Eve rituals<\/a> if you want to try your luck. The tradition says that this is the perfect night to keep away the bad spirits, will this be true?<\/p>\n

Actually St. John’s festivity is very popular and this is something you will be able to see by yourself once you get to the promenade just before the midnight the 23th of June. Want to join?<\/p>\n

Want to know more about the origin? Visit Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to celebrate the Night of San Juan (St. John’s bonfires) in Malaga?<\/h2>\n

They organize events and concerts at the most popular beaches of the Costa del Sol<\/a>, which are also listed below:<\/p>\n

\"Beach<\/p>\n

Malagueta beach<\/h3>\n

In Malaga city<\/a>, the epicentre of the fun is La Malagueta beach<\/a>, in past events there were two concerts of live music starting at 11 pm. This year the activity begins at 9:00 pm and lasts until dawn.<\/p>\n

Activities, fireworks and a good time to have a night bath.<\/p>\n