Midsummer is the most popular festival in Scandinavia together with Christmas. It is a celebration of the Summer solstice, the longest day of the year (June 21). In Sweden, Midsummer is even celebrated as a national holiday (also see Scandinavian national holidays). The Midsummer's Eve celebrations take place on the Saturday that falls between June 20th and June 26th. Each Scandinavian country celebrates this eventful tradition in their own unique way.
The celebration of the Summer solstice is a very ancient practice, dating back to pre-Christian times. Midsummer was originally a fertility festival with many customs and rituals associated with nature and with the hope for a good harvest the coming fall/autumn.
In Sweden, where the festival is called "Midsommar", houses are decorated inside and out with wreaths and flower garlands. Swedes then dance around the decorated midsummer pole while listening to traditional folk songs known to all. In Sweden, as in many other countries, the magic of Midsummer includes bonfires (which reminds of Swedish Walpurgis Night traditions), and divining the future, especially one's future spouse!
In Norway and Denmark, Midsummer's Eve is also a popular day, celebrated with large bonfires. Among Danes, this event is known as Sankt Hans aften, or St. John's Eve, and is celebrated on the eve of June 23rd. Danes sing on this day the traditional Vi elsker vort land, "We Love Our Land", and burn a witch made of straw on the bonfire as a remembrance of the Church's witchburnings of the 16th and 17th centuries. In Norway, Midsummer's Eve is also called "Jonsok".
The Scandinavian customs date back to pagan times when tribute was paid to the powers of the sun god with bonfires signifying the defeat of darkness. The Norwegians also form processions early in the evening, usually led by a musician.
Like in every major Scandinavian tradition, meeting friends and family is as important as having plenty to eat on the table. Midsummer traditional delicacies are fresh potatoes with pickled herring or smoked fish from the nearby lake, the first strawberries of the season for desert, and some schnapps and beer to wash down the herring.
If you are interested in many more Scandinavian traditions, take a look at Annual Events & Traditions. You can also look up events and tips for the month of your travel choice in Scandinavia by Month, e.g. June - which is also the time of the Midnight Sun!
