As the long, dark Scandinavian winter gives way to endless summer days, Swedes gather to celebrate one of the most cherished and light-filled holidays of the year—Midsummer. Far from the eerie tropes portrayed in fiction, real-life Swedish Midsummer is a joyful, cozy affair filled with laughter, wildflowers, and togetherness.
Midsummer, or Midsommar, typically falls on the Friday closest to June 24. It marks the summer solstice, when daylight lingers well into the night, especially in the northern parts of the country where the sun barely sets. Swedes embrace this magical time of year by heading to the countryside, where lakes glisten, meadows bloom, and red-painted cottages stand ready to welcome guests.
The heart of the celebration is the midsommarstång, or maypole—often adorned with freshly picked birch leaves and wildflowers. Families and friends gather around it, holding hands to dance traditional ring dances like “Små grodorna,” a playful tune about little frogs. It’s delightfully silly and joyfully uninhibited.
A classic Midsummer table features herring in various marinades, boiled potatoes with dill, sour cream, and chives, along with crispbread and cheese. Strawberries—plump, sweet, and in season—take center stage for dessert, often served simply with milk and whipped cream. And of course, no Midsummer feast would be complete without snaps—small shots of flavored aquavit—accompanied by rousing snapsvisor, or drinking songs, sung with gusto and good humor.
The day flows gently, with flower-crowning, swimming in chilly lakes, and long, golden evenings that seem to stretch forever. It’s a celebration not just of the sun, but of community, nature, and tradition.
There’s a saying in Sweden that Midsummer is more sacred than Christmas, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not about presents or grandeur—it’s about connection. With nature at its peak, Midsummer offers a moment to pause, breathe in the scent of blooming lilacs, and simply enjoy the light. Cozy, heartfelt, and timeless—Swedish Midsummer is a gentle reminder of life’s sweetest simplicities.
Writer: Emma Hjalmarsson
