Midsummer & white nights in Sweden

The "official" Midsummer Day (Midsommar) originally fell on June 24. The Swedes celebrated it on this day until 1951. In the calendar, it is called "St. John the Baptist’s Day," a name it carries in all Christian countries. Now, Midsummer Day is observed on the Saturday closest to June 24, which is marked in the calendar. Today, Midsummer is celebrated sometime between June 19 and June 25. The midsommerafton, or Midsummer’s Eve, is always celebrated on the Friday before Midsummer Day.

Across much of Europe—and even in some places beyond—the Feast of St. John the Baptist is traditionally celebrated the same way: with outdoor fires. The earliest known St. John’s fire dates back to the early 6th century in Tunis. The Swedes have kept this custom alive without change. But why are fires kindled at Midsummer?

Rather than banning pagan rituals, the medieval Church often embraced and preserved them. The summer solstice, occurring on June 21 or 22, marks the sun’s highest point in the year, after which the days begin to grow shorter. It’s only natural to "honor" the sun at this turning point by lighting warming fires outdoors.

The Midsummer tree has a long history. Since the Middle Ages, Swedes have erected the well-known Midsummer tree, which they decorate with fresh birch branches, leaves, and flowers—and later dance around it. Although the Maypole in Swedish is translated as both majstång and midsommarstången, these are only approximate translations. The Maypole (majstång) is actually closer in meaning than the midsommarstång. Both, however, are decorated the same way in Sweden. The word maja originally meant to decorate branches with foliage.

The majstång was traditionally adorned with flowers, leaves, wreaths, and colorful ribbons to celebrate the month of May. However, the majstång could also be raised for other important festivities, such as weddings, and in smaller sizes was used as decoration inside homes.

Wearing a flower crown—the blomsterkrans or midsommerkrans—in the hair is an ancient symbol of rebirth and fertility and is indispensable for Swedes. However, the flowers must be picked in silence; speaking breaks the spell. The crown, usually worn by women, is woven from flowers and birch branches.

According to legend, single women who pick seven different flowers from seven different meadows and place them under their pillow on Midsummer’s night will dream of their future husband.

Everyone visiting Sweden is warmly invited to join the dance around the Midsummer tree. However, it’s wise to decide beforehand what kind of celebration you want to experience and what expectations you have for this traditional Swedish festival.

If you’re seeking a more family-oriented and traditional style of dancing, head outside the main tourist areas. For regional folk dances, you may need to purchase a ticket to an organized Midsummer event. Checking with local tourism offices or asking locals for recommendations is a good way to find the right celebration.