Midsummer Celebrations in Stockholm

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Midsummer, summer solstice, Sankt Hans aften or Saint John’s Eve which usually falls on the 24th of June every year is believed to be the longest day of the year and the middle of summer based on the movements of the planets. This celebration is widely popular among many nations in the Northern Hemisphere, most specifically in Europe. Countries such as Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are just some of the countries that celebrate this special day every year. Being the capital city of Sweden, the City of Stockholm is one of the many cities situated along the northern hemisphere of Europe that waits with anticipation for the coming of midsummer solstice.

Summer solstice is usually celebrated in Stockholm on the weekend nearest to the 24th of June every year. Friday would usually be the day where Midsummer Eve would fall while the following day of Saturday would be deemed as Midsummer Day. On this weekend and several days before the coming of June 24, parties and outdoor celebrations could be seen all over the city of Stockholm and even in the surrounding countryside.

The celebration of the coming of midsummer’s day is a tradition in Stockholm, Sweden as well as in many other places in Europe that can be traced even farther than the beginnings of Christianity. The solstitial celebrations can in fact be traced farther back to the times of the Vikings when pagan deities were still widely believed.

Visitors and tourists who are not particularly familiar with Midsummer celebrations would find this well-kept Swedish tradition a very novel experience. Those in Stockholm during midsummer’s eve and midsummer’s day can enjoy a weekend-long series of parties, picnics, stage performances and outdoor gathering. Maypole dancing and bonfires are also important features of this unique and interesting tradition in Stockholm, Sweden.