Midsummer

celebration · summer solstice · European traditions · outdoor fun

Longest Day Ever. Midsummer happens on or near the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This means there's more sunlight than on any other day.

Bonfires and Gathering. People celebrate Midsummer with outdoor parties that include big bonfires, dancing around a maypole, and sharing food together. It's a time when whole communities come together to enjoy the summer season.

Ancient Date Traditions. While the summer solstice actually falls on June 20, 21, or 22, Europeans traditionally celebrated it on June 23 or 24. These dates later became connected to Saint John's Day in the Christian calendar.

European Roots. Midsummer celebrations started in Europe and are still especially popular in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Finland. Different cultures have their own special ways of celebrating this magical time of year.

Middle of Summer. The name midsummer comes from an old way of thinking about seasons. People considered summer to start on May Day, so midsummer meant the middle point of the season.