Midsummer Day

Midsummer Day (FIN / SWE) History

Midsummer Day celebrates summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the midpoint of the summer season. This observance is considered an auspicious time for celebrating the abundance of nature, the warmth of the sun, and the fertility of the land. As a result, this day is marked by numerous festivities, including feasting, bonfires, dancing, and other community-centered activities.

Tracing back its origins, Midsummer Day has been observed by European communities for thousands of years, stemming from ancient pagan rituals. Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Europe, has a clear alignment to the solstice sun, attesting to the importance of this event in the past European societies. Currently, the European Union experiences a diverse array of Midsummer Day celebrations that reflect the rich tapestry of cultural heritage present throughout its member states. Some of these celebrations are marked as national holidays, such as Sweden's "Midsommardagen" and Finland's "Juhannuspäivä."

Midsummer Day is observed differently across the European Union, depending on local customs and beliefs. Sweden hosts well-known festivities, where people gather around maypoles and participate in traditional dances and games. In Finland, the holiday is spent with friends and family, enjoying outdoor activities such as barbecues and sauna visits. On the other hand, Latvia and Estonia celebrate "Līgo" and "Jaani," where bonfires are a crucial component of the festivities. In addition to the cultural differences, the date of Midsummer Day may vary depending on the country. Generally, it takes place on or around June 24th, aligning with the Catholic celebration of St. John the Baptist's feast day, but in some regions, the observance may fall closer to the actual summer solstice, around June 21st.

Top facts about Midsummer Day

• Branches from birch trees are placed around the front door to the home, welcoming guests.
• Midsummer brings with it the midnight sun, because of Finland’s northerly location night ceases to exist for a few days. In Helsinki, Finland's capital, the sun sets at 10:50pm on Midsummer’s Eve and rises at 3:56am on Midsummer’s Day.
• Midsummer is the time of the summer solstice, in the northern hemisphere this festival varies between June 21 and 24 depending on which specific geographical locale
• The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact. ― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

In the News and Trending for Midsummer Day

Midsummer Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Visit the vast countryside and enjoy the natural beauty of the north. Midsummer is a peak time for the Nordic nations to get sunlight, they have days that eclipse nights. It is also one of the warmest times a year and allows access to many remote places that aren't accessible during the long snowy winter months.
• Eat, drink and be merry. Try some typical dishes for Midsummer, have you tried Leipäjuusto (bread cheese), pickled herring, beer, schnapps, Mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie), or Pyttipannu (bubble and squeak)?
• Get married! Like Whitsun Midsummer is a very popular time of year for weddings. Despite not being very religious, the Swedish love a big wedding.
• Pick seven different types of flower. If you're a woman, Midsummer is said to be a time when future husbands are revealed if you place flowers under your pillow.
• Read some magical literature to celebrate pagan history. Our favourites: Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald and Sag Harbour by Colson Whitehead.