Noche de San Juan (midsummer night on the beaches)

On the shortest night of the year the whole coast heads to the sand. Families set up moragas (beach barbecues of sardines), towns stage concerts and fireworks, and at midnight people wade into the sea or jump waves for luck. In Málaga city the council burns a giant effigy, the júa, on the Misericordia beach after a free concert, and night buses are doubled. Open fires directly on the sand are banned in Málaga city, so use the designated points; in Marbella, Fuengirola and Estepona the municipal rules vary, and the fishing-town beaches are the most atmospheric. Bring a sweater, leave the car at home and expect to be out until two in the morning.

Recurs: annual, the night of 23 June.