Curious about Swedish Midsummer traditions? Or maybe you’re looking for a place to celebrate Midsummer 
in Stockholm?
Swedish Midsummer (June 22-23rd) is easily the most celebrated holiday in the country rivaling only Christmas. Nature is in full bloom, love is in the air and twilight replaces most of the night hours. It’s a time when the city becomes eerily quiet as people head to the archipelago or the country to gather around the May pole with family and friends. Here’s a brief description of “Midsommar” and where in Stockholm you can join in the festivities.
History
Originally, the Vikings celebrated Midsummer as a fertility rite. The May pole was a phallic symbol, which was planted into the earth to symbolically fertilize Mother Nature in hopes of a bountiful harvest later in the year. The celebration marked the Summer Solstice – the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Today, the holiday always takes place on a Friday and usually marks the beginning of a 5 week summer holiday for most Swedes.
Traditions
A typical Midsummer feast consists of a variety of “sill” (pickled herring), boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, sour cream, red onions and crisp bread. Followed by a grilled dish and often a cheese pie. For dessert Swedes usually serve up the first strawberries of summer with cream. But no Midsummer spread would be complete without a bottomless glass of spiced schnapps, with which traditional “snapsvisor” (folk drinking songs) are sung upon refills.
Houses are decorated with wreaths and flower garlands and women and girls often wear wreaths in their hair. Swedes then dance around the decorated “Majstång” (May pole) while singing traditional folk songs and often times dressing up in national costumes.
Midsummer has long been considered a magical night; one of good fortune and future telling. Traditionally on this day single women and girls pick a bouquet of seven different wild flowers and place them under their pillow as they sleep in hopes that their future husband will visit their dreams….
Midsummer Gatherings in Stockholm
Most restaurants and stores are closed on Midsummer, but for those of you in town for the holiday there are still some places that will be full of people. Here’s a list of the Midsummer fests in Stockholm:
Skansen- Celebrations all weekend with extra festivities on Midsummer Eve. The program includes dancing around the May pole, Swedish folk dances, games, and music. www.skansen.se
Vitabergsparken- Appell Folkdance Society arranges a midsummer celebration with dancing games, children’s games, and folk dance performances. Food and drinks will be sold.
Local / City: Vitabergsparken, Södermalm
Date: Friday, June 22, 2012
Time: 13:00
Hågelbyparken- Traditional Midsummer celebrations start at 12:00 with Slagsta Gille leading dance around the maypole, admission 50 SEK for adults, 20 SEK for children under 15 years
Singing, sight-seeing, travelling performers, raffles, bouncy castle and more. Park Catering has snacks, ice cream and hot dogs.
Local / City: Hågelbyparken
Date: Friday, June 22, 2012
Time: 12:00 – 16:00
Vasaparken- Traditional folk costumes are worn by many, with games and dance lessons around the May pole, dance show, folk music by Brage Gille.
Local / City: Vasaparken
Date: Friday, June 22, 2012
Time: 12:00 – 15:00
By Kristan Coleman
Title photo: www.imagebank.sweden.se (c)Bo Lind/Visit Sweden
Top: www.imagebank.sweden.se (c) Fredrick Sweger/Lou B./ Fredrick Sweger
Bottom: wwwimagebank.sweden.se (c) Henrick Trygg/ Henrick trygg
Last year the streets of Stockholm were eerily quiet when I was in town… its a shame, as its such a great time of year to visit. Any other places to party?
Yes I know, if your not into may poles and flowers or you dont have family here it can be a bit lonely! You could: make your own head wreath http://blogs.sweden.se/expat/2011/06/20/5-steps-to-making-your-own-midsummer%E2%80%99s-head-wreath/ or do it the student way: http://blogs.sweden.se/students/2011/06/13/the-essential-swedish-summer-student-guide/
Apart from that I’m clueless! More comments pls!
i’m from Finland and my by friend is from Australia. We had some Italian friends over for midsummer and it was very very non-traditional. No sill or frog dances, we BBQed Aussie style instead: http://www.brunchstockholm.se/non-traditional-midsummer/
Great blog! And good to hear you enjoyed your bbq! Hopefully not shrimps though, as that could almost be considered Swedish;)