Midsummer in Sweden – a cherished tradition

When is Midsummer?

Midsummer Eve 2023 is on Friday, 23 June. It's always celebrated on a Friday between 19 and 25 June.

Why do you celebrate Midsummer?

Midsummer is the longest day of the year and was long considered a magical night. In agrarian times, the Swedes arranged Midsummer celebrations to welcome summertime and the season of fertility. Read more about the origins of Swedish Midsummer at sweden.se.

Who can celebrate Midsummer?

Everyone!

Where can you celebrate Midsummer?

Most Swedes travel to the countryside to celebrate Midsummer with family and friends. Many cities turn quiet, but midsummer festivities are also arranged there and all over the country. Participants are welcome to help decorate and raise the maypole.

If you're not lucky enough to get an invite to a summerhouse, a safe bet to celebrate with Swedish friends (that you don't know yet) is to visit a public park. Or, plan a visit to one of the following places, listed from north to south:

Riksgränsen, Swedish Lapland

What could be better than celebrating Midsummer in the northernmost part of Sweden where the sun never sets at this time of year? Head on up to Riksgränsen ski resort, where the Swedish and Norwegian borders meet. You’ll get a rare opportunity to ski under the Midnight Sun and dance around the maypole in your ski boots.

Dalarna county

If you’re looking for the full experience, including people dressed up in traditional Swedish folk costumes, professional folk music and dancing, parade with the garlands, maypole raising and perhaps even a church boat race, Dalarna is the place to be. There are multiple events arranged all over the county before, during and after Midsummer Eve.

Stockholm

The capital of Sweden serves up a range of Midsummer celebrations. Skansen open-air museum is the place to go for traditional festivities in Stockholm. They will provide all you need to get into the mood – from wreath making to folk dancing – for several days.

The Stockholm archipelago with its 30,000 islands and skerries also makes for a stunning Midsummer setting. The islands of Vaxholm, Dalarö and Värmdö are connected to the mainland and easy to get to by bus. The closest islands are Fjäderholmarna, and a ferry will take you there in 30 minutes from downtown Stockholm. Further out into the archipelago you will find islands like Grinda, Sandhamn and Utö.

Gothenburg

There are several Midsummer events in and around Gothenburg. Slottsskogen city park is a popular spot for Midsummer celebrations among locals and visitors alike. Expect folk dance, singing and games around the maypole. The Gothenburg archipelago is also a safe bet as many islands offer traditional celebrations.