6 Best Destinations to Celebrate Midsummer in Europe

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Midsummer, a celebration for the longest day of the year, is always eagerly awaited by the Europeans, especially those living up north. This tradition has been going on for centuries and is still widely celebrated today.

This celebration is slated at different times in each country but is generally observed from June 21 to 24. People will come out of the house to dance, enjoy food, and stay up all night to see the sunrise.

For tourists who want to get a taste of midsummer celebrations, there are several destinations in Europe that you can go to. Here are some of the best destinations to celebrate midsummer in Europe.

1. Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge was built around 5,000 years ago and is believed to be used for sacred ceremonies. Now, Stonehenge has become a place for midsummer celebrations. The stones at this structure stand parallel to the sun on the summer and winter solstices, making for an ethereal and magical sight. Although there were no special activities at Stonehenge on the day, thousands of people gathered to see the spectacle of the sun rising behind the Heel Stone right into the heart of the circular structure.

2. Stockholm, Sweden

Midsummer celebrations in Sweden began in the late Middle Ages when people celebrated by dancing around a pole decorated with flowers and greenery known as a maypole. This tradition continues with Swedes flocking to the countryside with family and friends. Stockholm also hosts several public midsummer events for visitors. People usually come to Skansen's open-air museum to enjoy folk music, wreath-making, and erecting the maypole as the central event.  Alternatively, take a 75-minute boat trip to Grinda Island for festivities lasting until the early hours. In 2024, Midsummer Eve in Sweden is celebrated on June 21.

3. Barcelona, Spain

In Spain's second city and throughout Catalonia, midsummer is celebrated from the evening of June 23 to the following day, as the Feast of Sant Joan. Marking the start of summer, the event revolves around fire, water, and herbs, the three symbols of Sant Joan. During the festivities, Barcelona is lit up by fireworks and fires line the streets throughout the night. The beach is the best place to visit during these celebrations where restaurant tables line the shore and pop-up fireworks shops open all over town.

4. Oslo, Norway

Not as extravagant as the Swedes, Norwegians celebrate midsummer by burning animal effigies in the waters of the Sukkerbiten fjord. Various other public events also take place at the Norwegian Folk Museum, including yodeling, flower wreath making, and horse and carriage rides. Midsummer Eve or Sankthansaften is celebrated on June 23.

5. Riga, Latvia

Locals call this pagan festival Jani. This year, it takes place overnight on June 23-24. To celebrate midsummer, locals make wreaths from oak leaves and wildflowers and light bonfires. The mysticism associated with midsummer still exists in Latvia, and many people still believe in folk traditions. For example, plants picked on the summer solstice are said to have the power to heal disease and ward off evil spirits. Latvia's capital, Riga, offers countless public events throughout the day and night, from a midsummer fair in the Old Town to a free outdoor ball in the park with live music and food.

6. Iceland

In Icelandic folklore, it is said that the summer solstice blurs the line between the world as we know it. A midsummer celebration called the Summer Solstice Festival in Reykjavík is held on June 23-25. Not only music, the festival also includes a tour of Iceland's natural wonders while sharing ancient stories along the way.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | EURONEWS

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