Midsummer Magic

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Midsummer is celebrated in many traditions, but is particularly notable in northern Europe.

Midsummer typically falls on or around 21 June, the summer solstice, which marks the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In many cultures, especially in Scandinavia, midsummer is celebrated a few days later, often on 24 June, which is known as St John’s Day.

Midsummer is really about light, growth and the turning of the seasons hence its being so important in places such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, where winters are long and dark. Midsummer is a time to celebrate the power of sunlight. The sun barely sets during this period, especially near the Arctic Circle, creating an almost dreamlike state of constant twilight.

Traditional celebrations include dancing around the maypole, singing folk songs, and wearing flower crowns. It’s also a time for bonfires, especially in Finland and Estonia, symbolising light, purification and the power to ward off evil spirits. Food plays a big role too – pickled herring, boiled new potatoes, sour cream and strawberries are typical parts of a midsummer feast.

The holiday has both pagan and Christian roots. Pagan traditions honoured fertility, nature and the sun. Christianity later overlaid the celebration with the feast of St John the Baptist, hence the 24 June date in many Christian countries, but the essence remains: celebrating light, nature and life at its fullest.