What Is Midsummer?

Midsummer festivals around the world mark the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, which usually occurs around June 21^st.  In the Nordic countries, Midsummer continues to be a widely celebrated public holiday that includes the lighting of bonfires, making of flower crowns, traditional music, feasting on seasonal foods, and (in Sweden) dancing around the maypole.

During the Middle Ages, the summer solstice was seen as marking the middle of summer, with the start of summer arriving in early May, and the end of summer being marked by the first harvest in early August.

A primary feature of the typical Scandinavian Midsummer celebration is the lighting of bonfires.  These fires were dual-purpose in that it was believed they repelled evil spirits, but they also served to gather community members together.  In many countries, jumping over the fire is seen as a way to bring prosperity and good luck to oneself for the coming year.

In Sweden and for Swedish-speaking Finns, the placing greenery on homes and dancing the Maypole is a very important Midsummer tradition, believed to bring good health for the coming year.  Though more commonly seen in most countries as a part of May Day and Beltane celebrations in May, because of Sweden’s cooler climate, it is believed that Midsummer was the soonest time of the year enough flowers and greenery could be found to decorate with, so the name stuck.

Since celebrating the lushness of summer is such an important part of every Midsummer celebration, what day of revelry would be complete without a resplendent flower crown?  A symbol of abundance, joy, and community, flower crowns are worn by all to celebrate the summer season and all it has to offer.  This tradition of crowns is said to have stemmed from an earlier tradition where young women would pick seven different flowers to place under their pillows, hoping to dream of their future husbands.

Obviously, the best part of any holiday celebration is the feasting, and there is no shortage of that during Midsummer.  Smørrebrød, gravlax, boiled new potatoes with dill, pickled herring, cheeses, lefse, sausages, fresh strawberries & cream – the list goes on and on!  If you’ve been to a Midsummer celebration, post your favorite foods in the comments!

We are so excited to be bringing the revelry of Midsummer to BreyerFest next summer!  Be sure to keep your eyes on the BreyerFest Blog in the coming weeks as we dive into some important information!