Midsummer Night — Quema de los Bigotes

Midsummer Night in Estepona has its own version: the Quema de los Bigotes. It's an official contest organised by the town council, with prior registration through the General Register and cash prizes for the best bonfires. Local associations, hermandades, cofradías and individuals build the 'bigotes' — satirical effigies, also called 'júas', caricaturing well-known local and national figures — from branches and wood gathered over several days.

The bonfires are lit from midnight, at the start of Midsummer Night on 23 June, in the area of Playa de la Rada marked out by the town council. A jury judges each entry on theme, artistic quality, ingenuity, tradition and popularity; only the winning effigy is spared from the flames, and only until the following night. It's tradition for locals to gather at midnight to dip their feet in the sea, said to bring good luck for the whole year.

Even with an official jury and prize, it keeps the spirit of a beach party: no ticket or registration is needed just to watch — head down to Playa de la Rada that night and join the atmosphere.