Life in Skaraborg Stories Midsummer in Skaraborg

Midsummer in Skaraborg

Dancing around a leafy maypole, flower wreaths in your hair, and of course a big, creamy strawberry cake! On Midsummer’s Eve, Swedes gather to celebrate summer – and everyone is welcome to take part in the festivities.

Midsummer Day always falls on a Saturday between June 20 and 26. It is around this time of year that the sun reaches its highest point and the day is at its longest. In Skaraborg, the sun shines until late evening during the summer. It is not the midnight sun as in the northernmost parts of the country, but it is only dark for a couple of hours in the middle of the night during the summer months.

Midsummer has been celebrated for a very long time. In the past, this particular night was believed to be magical. According to folklore, plants were said to gain magical powers. One tradition that still lives on in some places is that young people pick seven different kinds of flowers and place them under their pillow. According to legend, they will then dream of the person they are going to marry.

How is Midsummer celebrated today?

Today, Midsummer celebrations often involve gathering in a public place to raise a maypole and dance around it. Traditional musicians and sometimes choirs often perform. Everyone dresses up in their finest clothes – preferably floral dresses – and both adults and children may wear flower wreaths in their hair. In Skaraborg, it is common for local village associations, community centers, or other organizations to arrange Midsummer celebrations. These events are open for everyone to join. It is also common to be encouraged to bring a picnic basket.

Find Midsummer celebrations in Skaraborg

Join in celebrating Midsummer in Skaraborg! Here you can find a selection of celebrations in the region. You can find more here: Event Calendar Skaraborg

Just like at Christmas in Sweden, it is often on the eve – that is, the day before the “actual” holiday – that the main celebration takes place. During Midsummer, celebrations may take place both on Friday and on Saturday.