A Little Bit About Swedish Midsommar

We have now been in Sweden to celebrate three Midsommars, as well as two before we moved here. And they are a lot of fun!

Now I will admit that yes we watched the film Midsommar and had no idea what to expect, but I can assure you there are no crazy sacrificial ceremonies!

What Is Midsommar?

Midsommar could be argued to be Sweden’s most important/celebrated holiday. The day celebrates the summer solstice and the season of light as summer begins (especially after months of dark). This always takes place on a Friday between June 19 and 25.

You will see the day including lots of food, music, traditional maypole dancing, flower crowns and for many schnapps!

Swedish Midsommar Traditions

As is the same for most of the major holidays/celebrations in Sweden, the actual festivities take place on the eve rather than the actual day. We forget this pretty much every year, and this year was no exception as we were planning what to do on the Saturday (the actual Midsommar date) rather than the day before on the Friday. Although nice surprise as it meant I had a four day week with the Friday being a red day (bank holiday).

Some of the main traditions you will see in Swedish Midsommar celebrations include:

• Floral crowns – also known as midsommarkrans – is a headpiece typically made up of wild flowers and symbolises fertility and rebirth.
• Dancing around a maypole – also known as midsommarstång – is the centre of the dancing celebrations. Not being Swedish, we floundered when we first took part as everyone knows the songs and dances and we did not (picture Phoebe from Friends). I had not before heard the små grodorna (The Little Frogs) song, but I now take part and hop around imitating a frog with everyone else – when in Sweden!
• The food! There is some traditional food you are very likely to see at a Midsommar celebration including pickled herring (sill), new potatoes with fresh dill, salmon (lax), hard-boiled eggs, Swedish meatballs (köttbullar), and of course strawberry cake (jordgubbstårta).
• Games – aside from drinking games you may play kubb where the aim is to knock over wooden blocks to win, or cornhole where the aim is to throw and land beanbags either on the board or through the hole. 
• Picking of flowers – an older tradition claims that if you pick 7 types of wildflower on Midsummer Eve and put them under your pillow that you will dream of your future spouse. You cannot tell anyone though otherwise it will not work.
• Summer houses – Sweden has the most number of islands in its archipelago than any other country, and many Swedes have holiday homes/cottages that they will go to for the summer or in particular to celebrate Midsommar.

Why Is Midsommar So Important?

One of the things that I struggled the most with when we moved to Sweden was the winter. Yes, it can be magical and snow filled, but it is also long and dark. With Midsommar the celebration of summer and lighter days/nights, which many see as the best months to be in Sweden.

It also brings people together in the community. You will find local Kommuns will post where you can go to celebrate Midsommar and many places will have celebrations that go throughout the day and even over multiple days.

I am lucky to have shared this celebration not only with friends but also family – my mum visited for the celebrations and also our son and his fiancée.