Midsommar is an ancient holiday celebrating the Summer Solstice and the season’s longest days of light in the North; it is a celebration of life, love and the fertility of the harvest! Midsommar is a time to revel in the wildness of the natural world, and to hold sacred the sun-drenched days spent outdoors. It is a time for a bit of mischief, storytelling, and even magic. Ancient lore tells us that is the best time for reading fortunes, or for finding treasure by watching where the moon beams fall. Plants and flowers take on strong healing powers on this day, and it is believed that if a young woman places seven flowers beneath her pillow on midsummer’s night, she will dream of her true love!

For centuries, Northern Europe has celebrated by singing songs, playing games and burning bonfires late into the night. In the Sweden of yore, villagers would adorn themselves with ferns and decorate their houses and farming tools with foliage in homage to a successful harvest. Around the 1500’s, maypoles were erected and covered in leaves and flowers for revelers to dance around- creating a sanguine tradition that survives to this day! While midsummer celebrations continue to take place around the world, the Nordic countries have best preserved the spirit of this beautiful holiday. Across Scandinavia, cities and towns close up shop as their residents flee to the countryside. Although there are slight variations to their traditions, the main focus is always on time spent outdoors with others. In Sweden, Midsommar’s Eve always falls on the Friday between June 19th and June 25th. Being Scandinavian and of predominantly Swedish descent, I have always kept to this timeline when planning my annual Midsommar soiree. The festivities are always based around the capricious weather here in New England, and as such there are years we celebrate on the Friday, and other years when we celebrate on the Saturday. The beauty of Midsommar is that it can be celebrated when and as you wish!

I have shared my tried and true traditions for celebrating Midsommar below, and hope you will become inspired to celebrate this enchanted holiday with your loved ones for many years to come!