Next: 25 to 26 Jun 2027
Midsummer
The Nordic midsummer: a flowered pole raised and danced around, herring and strawberries, and bonfires by the water.
When is Midsummer in 2027?
Midsummer 2027 runs from 25 to 26 June 2027. Other years: 2026, 19 to 20 June 2026; 2028, 23 to 24 June 2028.
About Midsummer
In Sweden, Midsommarafton is held on the Friday between 19 and 25 June, and is the most loved holiday after Christmas. Cities empty as families go to their summer houses. A maypole, a tall pole covered with leaves and flowers, is raised on a green and danced around in rings to games and songs, notably "Små grodorna", the song of the little frogs. People wear flower crowns, and the table is laid with new potatoes with dill, pickled herring, sour cream, smoked salmon, and strawberries with cream, with snaps and drinking songs. Young women are said to put seven flowers under their pillow to dream of their future husband. In Finland, Juhannus brings bonfires, kokko, by lakes, and in Norway and Denmark, Sankt Hans is a bonfire night.
Midsummer dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Midsummer date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 to 20 June 2026 |
| 2027 | 25 to 26 June 2027 |
| 2028 | 23 to 24 June 2028 |
What is eaten
- pickled herring
- new potatoes
- strawberries
- schnapps
Traditions of Midsummer
Also part of it, and being written: Juhannus (The Finnish midsummer.), Sankthansaften (The Danish and Norwegian bonfire night.), Midsummer (The wider tradition.).
More marked on Midsummer
🇵🇹 Lisbon, PortugalMarchas Populares
Neighbourhood teams march, dance and sing through Lisbon's June nights for St AnthonyFestival · Feasts and festival meals
🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreSt John's Eve
Bonfires, feasting and worship on the short night before John the Baptist's feastSpiritual
🇱🇹 Lithuania and 5 moreNativity of John the Baptist
A Christian feast day on June 24 that marks the birth of John the Baptist and anticipates Christmas.Festival
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Midsummer" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.