Costa Tropical Blog

The San Juan Festival takes place in June and this really is a ‘must do’ for your diaries. This Festival is celebrated all over Spain between 20 June and 24 June annually although the night of 23 June is the most important. On this one night of the year, rules are relaxed on the beaches and you can have a bonfire and BBQ on the beach, play music, dance and watch the fireworks. Salobreña really gets into the spirit of the occasion as many people flock to the beaches from the inland villages to celebrate the evening. The celebrations of San Juan are pagan in origin and comprise a degree of rituals, customs and practices that are originally from pre-Christian celebrations and encompass fire, water and sun. The night of San Juan on the 23 June celebrates the triumph of light over dark. Having a bad year? Then it is said that on this one night of the year you can change a bad year into a good year by leaping over your bonfire on the beach at least three times. This is fine at the beginning of the evening but perhaps a little more risky as the night wears on! It is also said that the bonfires lit on this night can cure diseases of the skin and cleanse the body and soul. Don’t try to get down to the beachfront by car on the evening of 23 June as they close off many of the roads due to the sheer numbers of cars trying to make their way to the beach. Get to the beach early to get a good spot and remember to invite your friends, take along the cool box with a good supply of drinks, a comfy beach chair or two and something to eat. The beachfront road will be packed with people enjoying the atmosphere, there is always a live band performing mid-way down the beach with a huge bonfire lit at midnight as the fireworks explode into the sky from land and sea. If you don’t fancy the crowds on the beachfront, many of the bars and restaurants in the old town of Salobreña put on a special menu or tapas for the evening. Wherever you end up, you are bound to enjoy it!