Midsummer Festival in Northern Europe: Experience magical nights in June
Between June 20 and 26, the summer solstice is traditionally celebrated in Scandinavia and the Baltics. Midsummer is one of the most important holidays of the year there. We've compiled some traditions and inspiration for a nature-based trip to Northern Europe.
Sweden: Flower wreaths, little frogs and true love
In Sweden, it's called Midsummer and is the second biggest holiday of the year after Christmas. Everyone is probably familiar with the images of the wooden cross decorated with flowers and ribbons, around which people dance and sing "Små grodorna" (The Little Frogs). Unmarried girls were supposed to place the flowers they picked for their hair wreaths under their pillows overnight to dream of their future husbands. Today, it's a beautiful tradition for everyone, regardless of relationship status or gender. Young people in particular are reviving this custom, which is a mix of romance, superstition, and fun.
In the evening, the famous solstice bonfires are lit in most places in Sweden. Jumping over the bonfire is considered a purifying ritual, and walking barefoot through the dew at dawn is said to remain healthy. And after the festival, the flower wreath should be dried and then added to the Christmas bath as an added bonus. This ensures the health of the entire family during the long, cold winter. In the Dalarna region, a particularly large number of people celebrate every year – and the festivals there are among the most atmospheric in the country.
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Finland: Arctic Circle, reindeer and design
Helsinki is a beautiful city and is idyllically situated by the sea. In addition to numerous museums (our tip is the Designmuseum) there are delicious restaurants (our tip is the Sea horse) and nice cafes (for example the Café Succès). The futuristic-looking library (Ode) with rehearsal rooms, sewing courses and panoramic terrace is no longer an insider tip for a short break.
Those looking for a less urban setting can easily travel across the country by train. In about eight hours, you'll be deep in Lapland, and in Rovaniemi, you can literally walk across the Arctic Circle. In summer, it never gets dark here, and in addition to the many mosquitoes and reindeer, you'll also find a few tourists out hiking along the beautiful trails. In the evening, almost every summer house (mökki) has a sauna for relaxing. The Finns love their saunas, and—unlike us—they also drink, sing, and laugh a lot.
In Finland, people dance to live music on the summer solstice, celebrate on open-air stages and gather around huge fires called Juhannuskokko and Noitakokko. In prominent places, especially on beaches and in clearings, they illuminate the night to drive away evil spirits. House entrances are decorated with birch branches. In recent years, these large open-air festivals featuring music stars have enjoyed increasing popularity.
Norway: Midsummer bonfires, torches and lanterns
The Norwegians and the Danes celebrate on 23 June, the eve of St. John's Day, the St. John's Festival begins with a large bonfire. The fire is symbolically meant to ward off evil forces. In addition to the St. John's bonfires, many places also hold torch-lit or lantern processions.
A trip to Oslo is worthwhile at any time of year, but in summer the city is especially lively and everyone sits outside. It is especially nice to sit in the Hammerhead Shark Bar in the Bjørvikaist district, where you can watch cool people. A very good vegan breakfast is available at Oslo Raw, a cute café that, with its bistro tables, is almost reminiscent of Paris.
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Denmark: Herring, salmon and schnapps
Midsummer also has a long tradition in Denmark, dating back to the Vikings, who celebrated the return of light. They also believed that nature was particularly strong on this day and hoped to reap a good harvest thanks to their offerings. In addition to wreaths, bonfires, and dances, food plays a particularly important role. Traditionally, there is pickled herring, new potatoes, salted salmon, and schnapps.
A trip to Denmark is worthwhile at any time of year. Of course, Copenhagen, in particular, has a lot to offer. (Click here for our City Guide). A trip to the Louisiana Museum just outside the city is even more beautiful in summer because you can spend a whole day in the large sculpture garden or on the terrace overlooking the water.
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Estonia: Empty cities, big fires and small fireflies
The Estonian Midsummer Festival (Jaanipäev) is on June 24th and is celebrated from the evening before until the early morning hours. It's the most important holiday and is traditionally spent in the countryside, so the cities are often deserted at this time. A traditional Midsummer celebration in Estonia includes a fire pit that never goes out throughout the night. A popular game is to search for fireflies (Jaaniussid) at night, which are considered lucky charms. Of course, the animals are immediately released!
And finally ...
A trip to the far north for Midsummer is much more than just a lovely summer holiday – it is an immersion in centuries-old traditions that celebrate nature. When the sun doesn't set at all, you dance through the night and enjoy the magic under the open sky. Especially for those who prefer milder temperatures, a Coolcation in the north a wonderful alternative to hot summer destinations.
© Photos: IMAGO / Shotshop, Christian Ender, McPHOTO, Eibner; unsplash / Valdemaras, Julia Cheperis
Geraldine Voss
Geraldine works as a freelance writer for Good Travel and has just completed training as a sustainability manager. After twenty exciting years in film, she now devotes herself full-time to her other passions - travel, food and design.
2 Comments
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Franziska Diallo
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Ursula Grüllich
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