Fiesta Noche de San Juan In Costa Tropical (June 23 & 24) 2025

If you are in Costa Tropical during June, you may hear people speaking of Fiesta de San Juan or Noche de San Juan.  You likely assumed it was some sort of celebration, but it may also leave you with several questions.  Who is San Juan?  What is the fiesta de San Juan in celebration of?  Why do some people say it is June 23rd and others say it is June 24th?  Let us help you figure it all out!

San Juan Celebrations

Fiesta de San Juan

Fiesta means party or celebration, so that part was easy!  San Juan means Saint John, and now we need to put it all together.

When the sun sets on June 23, Saint John’s Eve is the eve of celebration before the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist.  The Gospel of Luke states that John was born about six months before Jesus; therefore, the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on June 24, six months before Christmas Eve and the feast day of Christmas.  This feast day is one of the very few saints’ days that commemorate the anniversary of the birth, rather than the death, of the saint being honored.  The Christian holy day is fixed at June 24, but in Spain, festivities are mostly held the night before, on Saint John’s Eve.

Religious or not, in Spain, San Juan is a magical night that officially kicks off the summer season!  This occurs every year on the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year.

Tents, camping, and bonfire equipment may be on the beaches:
10:00am on the 23rd until  22:00 on the 24th.

Noche de San Juan – June 23

The Noche de San Juan (night of Saint John) on the 23rd is when most fiesta activities start, just after sunset.  Of course, people will be out earlier in the day to stake out their spot on the beach and kick things off a bit early.  It is the one night each year when bonfires and camping are allowed on the beaches.  This celebration usually has roaring bonfires, drinks, food, and friends.  Don’t even think you will get any sleep, as the beach parties will go on until dawn.  When San Juan falls on the weekend, it continues a little longer in Spanish style.

This is a night full of mystical powers and superstitions.  For a year of good luck, here are some of the activities you may want to try:

Dia de San Juan – June 24 (Public Holiday)

This is a day of feasting, family, and celebration!  The parties continue on the beach, but it is also time to be with families and friends to honor San Juan.  It is customary to enjoy a bollo de San Juan, an oil bread (with matalauva), with one or two hard-boiled eggs. This is when the arrival of summer is celebrated.

San Juan in the Costa Tropical

Over the past few years, people have been releasing the paper lanterns, which illuminate the sky on this magical night.  You may purchase them at the local bazaar stores around town.  Each paper lantern contains a small candle to ignite, and the heat from the flame lifts it up into the sky.

Fiesta de San Juan Almuñécar 

Every beach will be filled with people, so stake out your place early on in the day.  Often, people will have a large group and send someone out to set up tents and tables to mark their area.  There will be plenty of good times, music, dancing, parties, and bonfires.

One of the biggest bonfires is always on the east side of Playa Puerta del Mar, with many wooden pallets and sticks being burned.  Traditionally, Velilla Beach and Puerta del Mar have younger crowds who will party all night long.  Along Cotobro or San Cristobal, you will find more families, and it can get quiet around 03:00 or 04:00 in the morning.  No matter where you go, you will enjoy the night, even if you are just walking by to see what’s going on.

Noche de San Juan Rules and Regulations

• About the bonfires
  • Combustible materials will be exclusively wood, without nails, and tires, foam rubber, plastics, furniture, as well as aerosol cans, or any other type of material susceptible to explosion or emission of smoke and/or toxic or harmful gases are prohibited. or pose a potential for the spread of fire, could create danger, or degrade the beach sand.
  • Likewise, it must be taken into account that when leaving the beach, users must ensure that if they have lit a bonfire, it must be completely extinguished and not buried, to facilitate cleaning by the operators.
• About removable installations – Canopies, Tents, etc
  • Traditional removable installations such as awnings, shades, and other protective elements that are located on the beach for the said festival cannot be placed before 10:00 on June 23rd and must be removed no later than 22:00 on June 24th.
  • It is prohibited to locate discos or similar, carry out commercial activities, place musical equipment, place electricity generators, place non-beach furniture, and use gas cylinders and/or flammable liquids on the beach.
  • In addition, it is advisable to use recyclable containers, and in the case of using glass containers, deposit them in the corresponding recycling containers.
• About cleaning
  • The occupants of the beaches, when dismantling their facilities, must clean the space they have been enjoying to prevent the beaches from becoming a dumping ground for waste, packaging, and other belongings. The Almuñécar City Council calls for responsibility, civility, and respect for the environment, requesting citizen collaboration for the proper development of this festival and responsible use of our beaches.

Rooftops

If you don’t like being in the crowd and would prefer a birds-eye view, enjoy the night on one of the rooftop terraces.

Fiesta de San Juan La Herradura 

Every beach will be filled with people, so stake out your spot early on in the day.  The “palm islands” can fill up quickly, as you have a great landmark for party joiners to find you.  There are often great events going on at the local Chiringuitos, with live music and more.  There will be plenty of good times, music, dancing, parties, and bonfires.

Fiesta de San Juan Salobreña  

Salobreña will celebrate the San Juan festivities with an extensive program.

The festival and the Fiesta of San Juan continues for nearly a week in Salobreña, with a mixture of popular culture and religion.

The beaches of Salobreña are filled with dozens of bonfires. At midnight, you can enjoy fireworks while the bonfire burns.  When the clock strikes twelv,e the locals head for the sea to fulfill the tradition of washing their faces in the sea, with the belief that this will scare off negative spirits and have a good year.  The festivities conclude with the procession that takes place on June 24.  Read more

Places to celebrate San Juan in Granada

Granada is a city that prepares to celebrate the Night of San Juan every year. During this magical night, residents and tourists enjoy various activities and events in different parts of the city.

Fiesta de San Juan Lanjarón 

Lanjarón is a small town in Las Alpujarras, just a 35-minute drive inland towards Granada.  If you are up for several days of fun or just a good old-fashioned water fight, this is the place for you!  Obviously, this is a mountain town, so there isn’t a beach bonfire involved.  Instead, they have created the Fiestas del Agua y el Jamón en Lanjarón.  As of 2017 they have limited the participation in the water fight, and tickets need to be purchased.   Town website here.

• It will be held at midnight from Thursday, 23 to Friday 24 June
• On the first day, limited bracelets were distributed
• The entrance has a cost of 5 euros, which will be used to defray the costs of the event itself or the security device

This is a Ham and Water Festival like no other, and typically is a 4-day event.  More info.

Lanjarón celebrates every year, in a unique way, the night of San Juan, with the famous Carrera del Agua, recognized as an Andalusian tourist attraction.  The event will take place on June 24 from 0:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., from the Palas Hotel roundabout to the Town Hall Square.

Where to stay in Lanjarón

No matter where you stay in town, you will be close to the action!  Below we share with you the highest rated hotels in the town center.

Nuevo Palas – Highly rated 3-Star hotel

This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Lanjarón!  This property is also rated for the best value in Lanjarón!  The rooms are clean and you are close to all of the sights.
Booking.com guarantees the best prices for any type of property and no booking fees!

El Sol – Highly rated 2-Star hotel

Hotel El Sol is situated in the center of the spa town of Lanjarón, 100m from the thermal baths. It features an on-site spa bath, sauna and fitness center.  The rooms at El Sol come equipped with a bathroom and TV. Private balconies are also available in rooms.
Booking.com guarantees the best prices for any type of property and no booking fees!

Hotel Paris – Highly rated 1-Star hotel

This small and charming hotel is situated in the center of Lanjarón – ideal to spend a relaxing break with family or friends.  At the Hotel Paris, you can enjoy a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by gardens enjoying plenty of Andalusian sunshine.
Booking.com guarantees the best prices for any type of property and no booking fees!

Hotel Alcadima – Highly rated 3-Star hotel

Hotel Alcadima offers impressive views over the Salao Valley.  This typical country house has indoor and outdoor pools and a sauna.  Some rooms at the Alcadima Hotel have a private balcony, overlooking the countryside or the interior Andalusian courtyards.
Booking.com guarantees the best prices for any type of property and no booking fees!.

Keep Our Beaches Clean!

Remember to do your part and keep our beaches clean!  Anything you bring to the beach you should remove or recycle.  If you see that someone else has left something behind, don’t just leave it!  Help out and dispose of it properly.

Holidays and Supermarket Closures

Please note grocery stores and supermarkets are usually closed on the Dia de San Juan.

Here is a listing of grocery stores in Almuñécar

Here is the Almuñécar holiday calendar