Midsummer
| Midsummer Summer Solstice | |
|---|---|
Midsummer bonfire in Tysnes Municipality, Norway | |
| Also called | Feast of Saint John the Baptist, Jāņi, Joninės, Jaanipäev, Enyovden, Līþa/Litha, midsommar, Juhannus/Mittumaari/Keskikesä, Alban Hefin, Gŵyl Ganol yr Haf, Sankthans, Kresna noč |
| Observed by |
|
| Type | Cultural and Religious |
| Significance | Marks the traditional middle of summer, and birth of John the Baptist |
| Celebrations | Festivals, bonfires, feasting, singing, maypole dancing |
| Observances | Church service, reenactments of the life of Saint John the Baptist, processions, baptisms, and church weddings |
| Date | A date close to the summer solstice |
| Related to | Nativity of John the Baptist, Saint John's Eve, Kupala Night |
Midsummer or Midsommar (Swedish: [ˈmɪ̌ˌsɔmːar] or [ˈmǐːdˌsɔmːar]) is a celebration of the season of summer, taking place on or near the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year. The name midsummer mainly refers to summer solstice festivals of European origin. These cultures traditionally regard it as the middle of summer, with the season beginning on May Day. Although the summer solstice falls on 20, 21 or 22 June in the Northern Hemisphere, it was traditionally reckoned to fall on 23–24 June in much of Europe. These dates were Christianized as Saint John's Eve and Saint John's Day. It is usually celebrated with outdoor gatherings that include bonfires, maypole dancing and feasting.