Recently updated on October 11th, 2025 at 06:11 am
Throughout history, summer solstice celebrations have been a major part of human culture. From jumping over magical bonfires to watching the sunrise illuminate ancient stone structures, people across the world have honoured this longest day of the year. Today, summer solstice rituals and events continue to celebrate the natural world, ancient traditions, and community spirit.
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The history of summer solstice celebrations
Since the earliest days of human history, this special day – when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for a calendar year, has been celebrated through rituals, festivals, and significant events. In pre-Christian pagan Celtic, Slavic, and Germanic societies, they called this ‘Midsummer’. They would light and jump over bonfires on Midsummer’s Eve, which was done to pay tribute to the sun and usher in a good harvest.
Solstice was significant in the Mediterranean too. In some ancient Greek calendars, summer solstice marked the start of the New Year. Around this time, the Greeks would celebrate Cronus, the god of the harvest, during a festival called Kronia. Here, the strict social customs of Greek society relaxed. Everyone dined and played games together: rich and poor, servant and master. As Roman Playwright Accius wrote: “In nearly all fields and towns they happily feast upon banquets, and everyone waits upon his own servants.“
On the other side of the world, Native American Plains tribes held solstice rituals, like the Sacred Sun Dance. In ancient China, it was one of the first astrological events that made its way into the culture, with workers getting the day off to celebrate. Today, we can see structures around the world that we believe were built aligned with the summer solstice, like Wyoming’s Bighorn Medicine Wheel England’s Stonehenge, and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Ready to celebrate the longest day of the year? Here are some of our favourite summer solstice events.
Stonehenge summer solstice – United Kingdom
No list of summer solstice celebrations is complete without Stonehenge in England. Thousands of people flock to this mystical site every year to witness the sunrise. Spiritual druids to intrigued city dwellers, and everyone in between join in the summer solstice rituals. Expect dancing, beating drums, and happy circle-skipping in celebration of the sun. Then, as the first rays break out over the horizon, illuminating the ancient stone circle, a palpable sense of wonder and spirituality takes over – leaving everyone in awe.
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Midsummer’s Eve – Sweden
Sweden has kept their pagan heritage alive with their famous Midsummer’s Eve celebrations. Holding a special place in the hearts of its people, the summer solstice festivities include dancing around maypoles, flower crown making, and enjoying traditional delicacies like herring and strawberries. Swedes gather in the countryside, embracing the shortest night of the year and northern hemisphere daylight magic. Don’t forget the drinking songs and whimsical family games like Kubb.
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Mountaintop Bonfires – Tirol, Austria
In the southern region of Tirol in Austria, a centuries-old tradition from the Middle Ages still shines bright. As the longest day of the year arrives, locals gather to create massive bonfires on mountaintops. Darkness falls and these fires ignite, illuminate the night, creating a mystical spectacle and connecting modern observers to the summer solstice rituals of the past.
Mark your calendars for when the enchanting bonfire lighting will take place in various locations across the Tirolian Alps. Don’t worry if you can’t make it on this specific date, as several other locations have alternate dates throughout the summer to experience this captivating spectacle.
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Mayan Solstice Rituals – Guatemala
The summer solstice in Guatemala offers a remarkable opportunity to witness the vibrant Mayan culture of today while delving into the country’s rich historical tapestry. Tikal, renowned as one of Central America’s iconic Mayan ruins, becomes a focal point for rituals during this time, particularly at altars like the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of the Grand Jaguar. Similar to celebrations in ancient Egypt, these rituals blend astronomy with sacred tradition, creating unforgettable experiences. At sunrise and sunset, spiritual ceremonies from ancient times come to life, accentuating the architectural brilliance of the temples designed to capture the essence of the solstice’s radiant light.
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Midnight Sun Festival – Alaska, USA
Located just under 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks in Alaska is one of the absolute best places to commemorate the summer solstice in the United States. Still covered in lingering snow, despite it being June, the area comes alive with Alaskans joyfully embracing the extended daylight that their short-lived summer offers. In Fairbanks, the sun shines for a full 24 hours during the solstice, which is when the city’s renowned Midnight Sun Festival takes place. The summer solstice events here include live performances, handcraft workshops and a plethora of independent vendors and stalls to explore. Visitors embrace the extended daylight, truly experiencing the natural world under the midnight sun.
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Canigó Flame – Barcelona, Spain
On Saint John’s Eve, the Canigó Flame lights bonfires across Catalonia, creating a fiery spectacle visible from miles around. This summer solstice celebration honours Saint John the Baptist, blending ancient pagan practices with modern festivities. Locals and visitors alike carry flames from the mountain to ignite village fires, with music, dancing, and fireworks completing a night that celebrates community and centuries-old summer solstice rituals.
Saint John’s Eve – Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans celebrate summer solstice festivities with vibrant music, dance, and bonfires along the coast. The night is filled with family traditions, communal meals, and dazzling fireworks that echo ancient rituals from Europe and the Americas. Many locals also incorporate storytelling and traditional songs, keeping the spirit of summer solstice events alive in a tropical island setting.
Slinningsbålet – Norway
In Norway, massive bonfires along the coast mark the summer solstice events, creating a magical glow under the lingering twilight of the northern hemisphere. Villages come together for local music, dances, and traditional foods, while families participate in summer solstice rituals that celebrate nature and community. The bonfires serve as both a symbolic and social gathering point, perfect for immersing yourself in Norwegian midsummer traditions.
Jónsmessa – Iceland
Icelanders observe Jónsmessa, or Midsummer Night, with practices deeply tied to nature and folklore. Farmers check livestock for health, locals gather for bonfires, and age-old summer solstice rituals are performed to ensure prosperity for the coming year. Visitors are often captivated by the midnight sun and the ethereal atmosphere, which makes this Icelandic summer solstice celebration unlike any other in the world.
Ħaġar Qim – Malta
The prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim are perfectly aligned with the sunrise on the solstice, a stunning testament to Malta’s ancient astronomical knowledge. Visitors gather early to witness the sun illuminating the temple stones, connecting this summer solstice celebration to both the natural world and human history. The experience blends ancient ritual, natural spectacle, and cultural insight, making it a must-see for solstice enthusiasts.
FAQs about summer solstice celebrations
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice is not only ancient, but sacred. It marks the day when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere, making it the longest day of the year.
When is the summer solstice?
Typically on June 20 or 21, the date can vary slightly depending on your location. It’s the opposite of the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere.
How long does the summer solstice last?
The solstice itself is a single moment when the sun is at its peak, but summer solstice celebrations often continue for an entire day or night, especially during communal festivals!
How do people celebrate the summer solstice?
People worldwide enjoy summer solstice events through dancing, bonfires, summer solstice rituals, music, and meals under the sun’s glow.
Is the summer solstice the longest day of the year?
Yes! The solstice is the longest day of the year, after which daylight slowly begins to shorten until the equinox in September.
What is the difference between a solstice and an equinox?
A solstice, like the summer solstice, occurs when the sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky. An equinox happens when day and night are approximately equal in length.
How many hours of daylight are there during a summer solstice?
This depends on your latitude. In northern hemisphere regions like Alaska, you can experience nearly 24 hours of daylight, while in southern locations it’s shorter.