Midsummer Eve
Guide to the date, history, cultural origins and celebration traditions of Midsummer Eve in Sweden.
History & Origins of Midsummer Eve
Midsummer Eve (Midsommarafton) in Sweden, observed on the Friday preceding Midsummer Day, is the main focus of the midsummer celebrations. Historically, the night before the solstice was believed to be filled with magic and supernatural energy, where flowers gathered on this night possessed healing powers and could predict future love.
How It Is Observed & Celebrated
Citizens gather in countryside villages, pick wild flowers to weave into beautiful floral crowns, raise and dance around the maypole, and host grand feasts of pickled herring (sill), new potatoes boiled with fresh dill, sour cream, and ice-cold schnapps.
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