Recently updated on December 4th, 2023 at 02:16 pm
Throughout history, the summer solstice has been celebrated by cultures and societies around the world. From jumping over magical bonfires to seeing the sunrise under mystical stone structures, ahead of this year’s solstice, here are the fun events that you can take part in that are steeped in ancient history.
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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
We can’t discuss summer solstice without mentioning the legendary gathering at Stonehenge. Thousands of people flock to this mystical site every year to witness the sunrise, from spiritual druids to intrigued city dwellers, and everyone in between. 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 festivities include dancing around maypoles, flower crown making, and enjoying traditional delicacies like herring and strawberries. Swedes gather in the countryside, immersing themselves in nature’s beauty, reveling in the magic of the midnight sun. Don’t forget the drinking songs and whimsical family games like Kubb.
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, transforming the peaks into radiant beacons, infusing the entire region with a mystical atmosphere.
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 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. 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.
Midnight Sun Festival
Alaska
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. Expect non-stop live performances, handcraft workshops and a plethora of independent vendors and stalls to explore. So, grab the sunscreen and immerse yourself in the festive solstice atmosphere!
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