In 2024, Midsummer Eve falls on 21 June and there are celebrations throughout the whole weekend. Countries around the world hold joyous, ritualistic, and mystic celebrations on the longest day of the year, with Sweden seeming to feel the greatest affinity with the summer solstice. Sweden explodes with midsummer festivities in June, many of which derive from centuries-old traditions. Midsummer festivities in Sweden began in the late Middle Ages when people celebrated by dancing around a flower and greenery-decorated pole known as a maypole. The summer solstice was viewed as a moment of magic and mystery, with plants believed to have healing powers and the ability to tell the future. Walking barefoot through morning dew and wearing a wreath of flowers were common practices for good health, fertility, and rebirth.
Many of these ancient traditions are still observed in Sweden today, providing a cultural connection to the past and marking the arrival of the best time of the year. Families and friends gather in the countryside for midsummer parties, while towns host community events with themed costumes and parades. Dancing around the maypole, including the iconic Little Frogs’ Dance, is a key part of the celebrations. Silly games like ‘femkamp’, which include croquet, tug of war, and sack races, are also popular activities during midsummer gatherings. The outdoor game ‘kubb’, where players aim to knock down wooden blocks with wooden sticks, is a common feature of Swedish midsummer festivities.
Eating and drinking play a significant role in Sweden’s midsummer celebrations. Fresh new potatoes with dill, pickled herring, strawberries, and Aquavit, a Swedish spirit flavored with spices, are essential components of the feasts. A Swedish smorgasbord featuring bread, butter, cheese, salmon, anchovy, pickled herring, sausages, dried meat, and various types of Aquavit is also part of the culinary tradition during midsummer. Drinking Aquavit involves toasting and singing drinking songs, known as ‘snapsvisor’, with the popular song ‘Helan går’ commonly sung before the first drink. The Museum of Spirits in Stockholm houses a collection of over 12,000 drinking songs, with new compositions still being created. Midsummer festivities often involve spending time outdoors, eating dinner, and enjoying the company of friends and family, with staying up to watch the sunrise being a customary practice.
Midsummer celebrations are deeply rooted in Swedish culture, with historical traditions blending seamlessly with modern customs to mark the arrival of summer. For Swedes, midsummer is a time of joy, celebration, and connection to their heritage. Whether dancing around maypoles, playing traditional games, indulging in feasts of new potatoes and herring, or singing drinking songs while toasting with Aquavit, the spirit of midsummer in Sweden is one of community, nostalgia, and appreciation for the changing seasons. As the longest day of the year approaches, Swedes eagerly prepare to partake in the festivities that honor their past and welcome the bright days of summer ahead.
