Welcome back. Quick thing before we dive in: the replies to issue #1 floored me. Genuinely. It seems this little round-up hit a nerve, and every "yes, finally!" in my inbox made the whole thing feel worth it. Keep them coming.

We're also officially into high season now. The chiringuitos are filling up, the weather's finding its stride, and the lovely summer madness is cranking up a gear. More people, more buzz, and a lot more going on, which is precisely why this email exists. So you don't have to keep up with all of it. I do that bit.

Here's your week.

If you only clear one night in your calendar this week, make it Tuesday 23 June. La Noche de San Juan is the night the whole coast comes down to the beach, and if you've never done it, this is the year.

The short version: it's the summer solstice, the shortest night of the year, marked with fire and sea. Bonfires (hogueras) burn along the sand, and at midnight people walk into the water. Some dip their feet, some go in backwards, some throw themselves at the waves entirely. Tradition says touching the sea on San Juan's Eve brings good fortune for the year ahead and chases off bad luck. Burn off the old, wash in the new, start the season clean.

Estepona has its own twist, and this year it's the 46th edition: the "Quema de los Bigotes de San Juan" or the "Burning of the Moustaches." Neighbours and local associations build júas — cloth-and-stuffing figures that gently (or not so gently) mock well-known faces — and they're judged on theme, wit, craft and sheer cheek before being set alight. The bonfires all gather near the 📍La Peseta monument.

Here's the official run of the night, on 📍La Rada beach

A few tips for newcomers: bring a towel and something warm for later, flip-flops or bare feet, and don't plan an early Wednesday. This one runs late, and that's the whole point.

Thu 18: Primera Noche Internacional at 📍Amigos del Puerto, 21:00, 8€. A dinner-and-show night right on the port. Four international dancers take you around the world with flamenco, cabaret, samba, dances from everywhere, paired with cuisine du soleil. The show itself is just 8€ a head. Booking via Whatsapp is required (seats are very limited), so don't just turn up. A fun, slightly different way to open the week.

Thu 18: Chris Begley, live (out today!), 20:00. If you're reading this over morning coffee and fancy something tonight: Chris Begley plays 📍Reinaldo Centro in the heart of town. A relaxed drinks-bar setting, electric and acoustic guitar, mostly covers leaning on 80s and 90s rock. No ticket, no fuss; just a drink and some familiar songs to ease into the week.

Fri 19: A busy night for music (see Live Music below, there's a lot on)

Fri 19 - Tue 23: Mercado Mágico de Estepona The 📍Paseo Marítimo turns into a medieval world for five days, timed as the run-up to San Juan. More than a market: a souk of stalls and street food, craft workshops, falconry displays, and roaming performers keeping the whole promenade buzzing. Free to wander, good fun for families, and it sets the mood perfectly before the bonfires on the 23rd. Full schedule here.

Sat 20: Pride Parade 🏳️‍🌈 The big finale of Pride week. The parade leaves the 📍Orchidarium at 19:00, winding through Calle Terraza, Plaza de las Gaviotas, the Paseo Marítimo, Avenida España and on toward 📍Plaza del Reloj, arriving around 20:00. The celebration carries on at the plaza until midnight. Loud, warm, and a proper community moment.

Sat 20: Goyo Jiménez: "Misery Class" at 📍Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, 21:00, 33€. One of Spain's best-known stand-ups brings his new show to Estepona. Expect rapid-fire, free-associating riffs on the state of the world and heavy on self-mockery. A real word-of-mouth favourite here. One honest caveat: it's fast, idiomatic Spanish — if yours is up to it, you're in for a great night; if it's still finding its feet, this one might sail past you. Get your tickets here.

Sat 20: Electrolunch Not what the name might suggest. This is a free, all-day open-air festival (12:00 to midnight) around the 📍Mirador del Carmen, built on music, art, food and tech. There are DJ sets running into the night (Memo, Avar Garden, David Makes, Nana Pure, Nukki and Mendiguetto on the bill), but also kids' workshops, a craft market with local makers, food trucks and a bar, so it certainly works for all ages, not just the club crowd. Running since 2015, it leans inclusive, sustainable and proud to platform female DJs and the LGBTQIA+ community. Drop in for an hour or stay for the night.

Sat 20 · Manilva: The Blouse Festival & Sânziene Day Something a little different, over in Manilva. The Romanian community puts on a free celebration of the Ia Românească (the traditional embroidered blouse) and Sânziene, Romania's own midsummer festival of nature, beauty and traditions. Expect live music, folk dance, Romanian food and drink, from 18:30 at the 📍Municipal Pavilion. Warm, colourful and a nice echo of the San Juan solstice spirit, from a different culture. Free entry.

Sat 20 · Manilva: Midsummer Party '26 One mainly for the younger crowd (or visiting teens): Manilva's youth department throws its annual summer party at 📍Parque del Huerto in El Castillo. An alcohol-free party from 21:00 to 00:30 aimed at under-18s, then local DJs (headlined by DJ Ezequiel Rodríguez) carry on until 5am. Free-entry, after 00:30 3€ , going to a local charity.

Tue 23: Noche de San Juan 🔥 (see the big one above)

Tue 23 · Manilva, San Juan in Sabinillas Manilva does the night its own way, down on Playa de Sabinillas (📍Plaza Manuel Luna "El Cali"). Where Estepona burns dozens of little júas, Sabinillas builds one single big figure (Harry Potter themed this year) and burns it at midnight. Then fireworks over the sea, and a DJ to keep things going. Live music from 22:00 (Orquesta La Tentación). A shorter hop if you're out west, and Casares Costa, just up the beach, puts on its own celebration the same night.

Wed 24: Coral Family Wednesday A clever one for anyone with kids (or visiting grandkids) in tow. From 17:00 to 20:00 at 📍Coral by OB in Puerto Estepona, free entertainers keep the little ones busy with games, a creative corner, balloon modelling — while parents actually get to sit, eat properly from the menu and enjoy the port view in peace. There's a dedicated kids' menu too. Places are limited and you can book a free ticket in advance.

A fairly strong Friday 19th. There's a lot on, so here's how to pick:

Three that stood out from the opening round. Germany beat Curaçao 7-1 — though that flatters them: Curaçao are the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, they held Germany to 1-1 for nearly 40 minutes, and their fans sang long after the whistle anyway. Lovely stuff. Meanwhile favourites Spain were held to a limp 0-0 by Cape Verde. So, not going to script.

And the one many of you stayed up for: England opened with a convincing 4-2 win over Croatia. The Three Lions took an early lead after the restart and never really looked back. A strong start to the campaign.

This week the groups play their second round of matches. The catch, as ever this year: the matches are in North America, so a lot of them kick off deep into the Spanish night. Here are some that land at a civilised hour (all times Spanish local):

Where to watch in Estepona:

(That's the prime-time picks. There are early-hours games too, full official schedule here.)

Estepona has its own signature dish, and most visitors never order it. Sopa campera is a rustic country soup made of tomato, pepper, garlic, bread, olive oil, egg and a few asparagus. Humble peasant food that's pure Andalusian comfort. It's most associated with the San Isidro festival each May, where the local brotherhood serves up hundreds of bowls for a symbolic €1. Next time you see it on a menu: order it. Or make your own.

For when you fancy a night further afield:

💫 Starlite Festival kicks off in Marbella (from 19 June). If you've never been, 📍Starlite is worth doing once a summer just for the setting. It's held in a former marble quarry up in the hills above Marbella, a dramatic open-air amphitheatre ringed by 60-metre rock walls. The site is dotted with restaurants from well-known chefs, so the done thing is to arrive early, have dinner on-site, catch your concert and stay for a drink after. A proper night out, not just a gig.

This year's season opens this week and runs to late August. The early names: Ozuna, 19 June, the Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin-trap superstar, a stadium-filler; Laura y Brenda, 20 June, Argentine pop, the duo behind teen-telenovela phenomenon Patito Feo, big for that generation of fans; and the first real heavyweight, Lenny Kravitz on 29 June. Four decades of rock'n'roll swagger, and the one to circle if you only go once. Tickets and the full line-up are on the Starlite site.

A heads-up on things a little further out, so you can plan:

That's your week, and it’s a packed one. If you made it all the way down here, you're exactly the kind of reader I write this for. Before you go, one question I'd love your answer to:

What's the one Estepona thing you always tell newcomers about? That hidden spot, the bit of history, the place everyone should know. Hit reply and tell me, I read every message, and I might feature it in a future issue.

(And as always: if something here's missing or wrong, reply and let me know. Issue one proved you've got good tips.)

Now go eat a sardine off a stick.

Stefan