Midsummer Celebrations: A Journey Through Pagan Rituals and Natural Wonders

Midsummer, also known as the summer solstice, is a time of celebration and festivity around the world. From the vibrant colors of Sweden to the golden light of Italy, and the wilderness of northern Iceland, here are some of the most memorable midsummer experiences from our readers. Caitlin enjoyed midsummer at a rented beachside cottage in Bjärred, Skåne, north of Malmö. She ventured to the local church to enjoy the dancing around a midsummer pole decorated with vibrant blue and red flowers. Many local residents adorned intricately decorated flower crowns. After a dip in the Öresund strait, they indulged in sweet strawberries and Briska ciders into the late hours of daylight.

A Party on Denmark’s Northern Shores Mal Jones spent the afternoon paddling with one foot in the Baltic and the other in the North Sea at the top of Grenen, North Jutland, Denmark. They headed south along the beaches and through the sand dunes to Skagen to enjoy the midsummer celebration at Vippyfyret, where hundreds gathered to experience an evening of music with songs and recitals around a great bonfire.

Pink Light at Midnight Near Stockholm Pamela recommends Vaxholm as an easy midsummer escape from Stockholm. A fast ferry gets you to the archipelago’s capital in under an hour. Spend the afternoon exploring the town with its classic Falu-red wooden houses and gardens overflowing with flowers. But stay until midnight to watch as the midsummer sun refuses to set, bathing the islands in golden, pink light for hours.

Food, Friendship, and Fire in Valencia April had a break in Valencia last summer and discovered that Spanish people mark 23 June as the beginning of summer by celebrating the festival of San Juan. For a few nights around the actual date of San Juan, bonfires, wine, and music on the beaches went on until dawn. The local family she was staying with invited her to choose some old furniture to burn on a beach bonfire and they danced around the fire holding hands and singing songs to pagan gods.

Cycle to the Sun in Edinburgh Vicky enjoyed Ride to the Sun – a 100-mile overnight bike ride from Carlisle to Edinburgh held on 21 June. It’s inclusive, joyous, community-filled, and fabulous. From the Moffat chippy queue to the midnight rave to the toasting of the sunrise on Cramond beach, it’s the best way to spend the shortest night.

Red Wine and Cola on the Beach in Asturias Kieran stumbled upon the midsummer Noche de San Juan in Cudillero in Asturias. Religious processions gave way to paganistic bonfires where people tossed mementoes of their year to forget. Next up were fireworks and a Brazilian samba troupe. Locals explained that the mayor could justify