6 of the Best Destinations to Celebrate Midsummer in Europe

By Ivan PetrenkoJun 16, 2024 23:00 PMNews
Share:
green cross under blue sky
green cross under blue sky. Source: unsplash

As the length of the day reaches its maximum, Europe is preparing to mark midsummer. Here are the best places to join in with the revelries.

Marked on or around the longest day of the year — the summer solstice — midsummer is celebrated across Europe, especially in the north. The mystery surrounding the day means it’s difficult to say with certainty why or when these celebrations began, though folklore points towards farming and harvesting traditions to thank the sun for a fruitful year.

The celebrations today are still firmly rooted in local lore. Whether you want to commemorate by joining events steeped in tradition or party at a festival with thousands of others, here are some of the best destinations to celebrate midsummer in Europe.

1. Stockholm, Sweden

Midsummer celebrations are an integral part of Swedish culture and traditions. The origins of the festival in Sweden began with people decorating their homes and dancing around maypoles to celebrate the season of fertility.

Today, Swedes flock to the countryside with family and friends. If you don’t have any Swedish friends who can bring you along to the celebrations, Stockholm hosts several public midsummer events for visitors. Families visiting the capital should head to Skansen open-air museum for folk music, flower and birch wreath making, and the central event — the raising of the maypole. Alternatively, take a 75-minute boat trip to Grinda island for celebrations lasting until the early hours. In 2024, Midsummer Eve in Sweden is marked on June 21.

2. Stonehenge, England

While it might at first seem an unlikely destination to celebrate midsummer, it’s perhaps one of the best to visit for historical relevance. Built around 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge’s standing stones align with the sun on both the summer and winter solstices, making for an ethereal and magical sight.

Though there are no specific activities at Stonehenge on the day, crowds gather in the thousands to see the spectacle of the sun rising behind the Heel Stone right into the heart of the structure, and to witness senior druid King Arthur Pendragon conducting a service at the historical site, as he does on every solstice. This year, the spectacular sunrise arrives on the morning of June 21.

3. Oslo, Norway

While midsummer isn’t a public holiday in Norway as it is in Sweden and the events aren’t as extravagant, the day is still marked with outdoor parties and bonfires. In fact, Norwegians take their fires so seriously that the world’s largest open-air fire was built by the residents of Ålesund in 2016 for midsummer.

Typically, an animal effigy is set alight on the fjord waters of Sukkerbiten, and various other public events take place at the Norwegian Folk Museum, including yodeling, wreath making, and horse and carriage rides. Midsummer Eve, or Sankthansaften, is celebrated on June 23.

4. Riga, Latvia

Jāņi, as it’s known locally, is a pagan festival that’s still marked every year. This year, it takes place overnight from June 23-24. The joyous festivities celebrate nature, with locals making wreaths from oak leaves and wildflowers and lighting bonfires. The mysticism associated with midsummer runs deep in Latvia, with many still believing in a whole host of folk traditions. For example, plants picked on the summer solstice are said to have the power to heal diseases and ward off evil spirits, while bathing in the morning dew is said to bring beauty and youth.

The capital city, Riga, offers countless public events throughout the day and night, from a midsummer fair in the Old Town to a free outdoor ball in a park with live music and food.

5. Barcelona, Spain

In Spain’s second city and throughout Catalonia, midsummer is celebrated from the evening of June 23 to the following day, as the Feast of Sant Joan. Marking the start of summer, the events revolve around fire, water, and herbs — the three symbols of Sant Joan. The city is lit by fireworks and fires lining the streets throughout the night and, as with Latvian traditions, the holistic properties of herbs are said to multiply on this night.

The beach is the best place to be during the celebrations — restaurant tables line up across the beachfront, picnics are dotted around the sand, and pop-up firework shops throughout the city ensure the night goes off with a bang.

6. Iceland

Icelandic folklore says the summer solstice blurs the lines between the worlds as we know them — animals can speak and turn human, and a roll about in wet grass can heal diseases.

Though there are no promises of a conversation with our four-legged friends, the Summer Solstice Festival in Reykjavík, taking place over June 23-25, isn’t just a music festival. Expect a breathtaking rave inside a glacier or, for a slightly warmer alternative, a party in geothermal springs. The festival also includes tours to the natural wonders of Iceland, sharing ancient stories along the way.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
View of Helsinki Airport terminal with passengers silhouetted against large windows

Finland’s Airports to Operate Normally During Peak July Travel After Strike Threat Lifted

Jul 13, 2025 21:28 PM
Delta Airlines Boeing 767 aircraft climbing after takeoff at sunset

New Direct Flight Links Utah to Peru’s Natural Wonders

Jul 12, 2025 21:36 PM

Kimpton Hotel to Open for the First Time in Ubud’s Historic Centre

Jul 12, 2025 13:41 PM

Glasgow Airport Strike to Hit Summer Flights and Holiday Plans

Jul 12, 2025 05:27 AM
Modern train traveling through green landscape on Calder Valley route

Calder Valley Route Boost Ensures Smoother Travel During Huddersfield Station Upgrade

Jul 12, 2025 03:34 AM
Croatia Airlines aircraft in flight against clear blue sky

Croatia Airlines Connects Milan to Zagreb with Direct Flights

Jul 11, 2025 23:45 PM
Boats anchored near Es Vedrà rock off the coast of Cala Molí, Ibiza

EDITION Moves Beyond Hotels with Series of Beach Events in Ibiza

Jul 11, 2025 22:52 PM
Stylish bed with decorative pillows and modern lighting in a villa bedroom

Maldives Beach Villas Redesigned to Meet Growing Demand for Privacy and Nature Immersion

Jul 11, 2025 18:38 PM
flydubai aircraft taxiing on airport runway

flydubai Launches All-in-One Summer Travel Packages for Regional Trips

Jul 11, 2025 16:46 PM

Rail Closures on Brighton Line This Sunday Could Disrupt Weekend Travel Plans

Jul 11, 2025 04:23 AM

Eurostar Updates Route: New Daily Services Between London and Amsterdam

Jul 11, 2025 02:39 AM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching for landing against clear sky

Wizz Air’s Early Return Reconnects Tel Aviv with Key Cities

Jul 10, 2025 23:47 PM
Workers in high-visibility gear conduct railway maintenance using machinery on a curved track under construction

Rail Maintenance in South Wales to Disrupt Travel Near Cardiff Airport and Coastal Attractions

Jul 10, 2025 21:31 PM
Jet2.com airplane flying against a clear blue sky

Jet2.com Expands UK Winter Flights to Key Alpine Destinations for 2026/27 Season

Jul 10, 2025 19:25 PM
Modern hotel bedroom with dark accent wall and stylish bedding

Bangkok’s Historic Anantara Siam Hotel Updates Facilities While Welcoming Guests

Jul 10, 2025 18:48 PM

Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Coming to All China Airlines Cabins This August

Jul 10, 2025 09:32 AM

Bridge Works to Sever Rail Traffic Between Kew and Barnes for Nine Days

Jul 9, 2025 21:27 PM
Passenger using phone during a flight

Wizz Air Launches Mobile Feature to Manage Summer Flight Disruptions

Jul 9, 2025 19:34 PM
Facial recognition scan on man's face with processing overlay

Facial Recognition Boarding Now in Use at JFK Terminal 1

Jul 9, 2025 17:43 PM
Emirates aircraft taking off from runway

Emirates Adjusts Gulf Travel with New Aircraft on Key Route

Jul 9, 2025 09:29 AM
Rail workers performing track maintenance at a train station during daytime

Planned Rail Works to Impact Night Trains Between Llandudno and Holyhead

Jul 9, 2025 07:36 AM
Philippine Airlines aircraft taking off in cloudy sky

Manila Sapporo Air Route Restored This Winter Boosting Winter Travel Choices

Jul 8, 2025 20:42 PM

Ipswich Train Services Updated to Handle Large Crowds During Ed Sheeran Concerts

Jul 8, 2025 18:37 PM

WestJet Expands Winter Flights, Unlocking New Warm-Weather Destinations for Travelers

Jul 8, 2025 16:24 PM
Transavia aircraft taking off under clear blue sky

Transavia opens early booking for popular summer 2026 routes

Jul 8, 2025 14:41 PM
Rail workers conducting maintenance inside a tunnel at night

Severn Estuary Rail Closure to Disrupt Summer Travel to Key Outdoor Spots

Jul 8, 2025 10:38 AM