Celebrated during the longest day of summer, which falls between June 19 and 25, Midsummer or midsommar in Swedish, pronounced ‘mid-som-ar,’ is arguably the most important Swedish holiday of the year. If you find yourself in the heart of Stockholm on this day of celebration, you will find the city deserted, as the majority of Swedes celebrate amongst friends and family on the surrounding islands of the archipelago or in the countryside.
If you want to throw your own Swedish midsummer party, here are five tips to help you along the way:
1. The famous flower crown
Make sure to pick lots of flowers because what’s a Midsummer without a flower crown? Collect some summer flowers and tie them together with string to create a gorgeous garland you can wear in your hair.
2. Host a Midsummer lunch
Gathering for a picnic filled with Scandinavian foods like pickled herring (sill), smoked salmon (rökt lax), or even this cream filled strawberry cake (jordgubbstårta) is the perfect way to kick off the Midsummer celebrations.
3. Remember to sing while you eat!
No Midsummer lunch is complete without a few songs sung throughout a long meal in the sunshine. Pick from the songs below or make up your own!
4. Dance around a maypole
After lunch it’s time for the main event: dancing and singing around the maypole or as it’s called in Swedish, midsommarstång. The most famous song is called ‘Små Grodorna’ (The Happy Frog Dance) and includes hopping like a frog around the maypole.
5. Play a Swedish outdoor game
After dancing around the maypole, it’s time to wind down with some games. One of the most popular Swedish lawn games is called kubb where the objective is to knock down ten small wooden blocks and one large wooden block (the king) by throwing wooden sticks. Think something like bocce ball… but different.
A Danish Midsummer
Just across the border, in Denmark, they do things a little differently. Rather than midsummer, they celebrate Sankthansaften, a merger celebration for Sankt Hans (John the Baptist) and the summer solstice. Sankthansaften was originally connected to pagan rituals but has slowly adapted to Christian practices. The main event for Sankthansaften, unlike the maypole for the Swedish midsummer, is the bonfire.
Family and friends gather around the flames, sing, dance, and enjoy some hygge moments of togetherness. Sometimes fireworks are set off and even the burning of effigies, representing the casting away of all things evil. Just like the Swedes, they have their own song to go along with the celebration: Midsommervisen.
Swedish & Danish midsummer songs:
Små grodorna Små grodorna, små grodorna, är lustiga att se. Små grodorna, små grodorna, är lustiga att se. Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de. Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de. Kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack-ack-ack. Kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack-ack-ack. Kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack-ack-ack. Kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack, kouack-ack-ack-ack-ack. Ej mössor, ej mössor, ej byxor hava de. Ej mössor, ej mössor, ej byxor hava de.
Little frogs Little frogs, little frogs are funny to see. Little frogs, little frogs are funny to see. No ears, no ears, no tails have they. No ears, no ears, no tails have they. Qu-ack-ack-ack, qu-ack-ack-ack, Qu-ack-ack-ack-ack-kaa, Qu-ack-ack-ack, qu-ack-ack-ack, Qu-ack-ack-ack-ack-kaa! Qu-ack-ack-ack, qu-ack-ack-ack, Qu-ack-ack-ack-ack-kaa, Qu-ack-ack-ack, qu-ack-ack-ack, Qu-ack-ack-ack-ack-kaa! No hats, no hats, no pants have they. No hats, no hats, no pants have they.
Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Enerissnår, enerissnår. Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Tidigt en måndagsmorgon. Så göra vi, när vi tvätta våra kläder, Tvätta våra kläder, tvätta våra kläder. Så göra vi, när vi tvätta våra kläder, Tidigt en måndagsmorgon. Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Enerissnår, enerissnår. Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Tidigt en tisdagsmorgon. Så göra vi, när vi skölja våra kläder, Skölja våra kläder, skölja våra kläder. Så göra vi, när vi skölja våra kläder, Tidigt en tisdagsmorgon. Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Enerissnår, enerissnår. Så går vi runt om ett enerissnår, Tidigt en onsdagsmorgon. Så göra vi, när vi hänga våra kläder,Hänga våra kläder, hänga våra kläder. Så göra vi, när vi hänga våra kläder, Tidigt en onsdagsmorgon.
So we go around a juniper bush This is how we walk around a juniper bush Juniper bush, juniper bush. This is how we walk around a juniper bush, Early on Monday morning. This is what we do when we wash our clothes, Wash our clothes, wash our clothes. This how what we do when we wash our clothes, Early on Monday morning. This is how we walk around a juniper bush Juniper bush, juniper bush. This is how we walk around a juniper bush, Early on Tuesday morning. This is what we do when we rinse our clothes, Rinse our clothes, rinse our clothes. This how what we do when we rinse our clothes, Early on Tuesday morning. This is how we walk around a juniper bush
Midsommervise Nu går midsommer ind i Danmarks stue Under loftet hænger lærkers sang. Her kan øjet søge fortrolig Mellem enge, fjord og vang. Alt igen er nær I en sommers klæ’r. Over gulvet er bredt et solskinstæppe Vævet af ranunklers gule flor. Bakkebølger vekser med skove Og et stykke hedejord. Alt hvad vi har lært Er os dobbelt kært. Smilets ynde og alvoren i sindet Er en dyd, der regnes her omkring. Med et smil på læben kan siges Selv de alvorsfude ting. Det forstår især Wi, der lever her. Denne lyse of sommerlige stue Fyldt med kløverduft og strandens blæst. Hører du en hvisken i løvet? Elskov vær min sommergæst! Latter her og der I det milde vejr.
Midsummer song
Now the midsummer comes to Denmark’s homesteads
Larks are twitt’ring underneath the eaves
And the eye can wander contented
‘Twixt the meadow, fjord and field
Everything around
Wears its summer’s dress.
On the floor there is spread a sunny carpet
Woven from the gold of buttercups
Hills are clad with forests and woodland
And a bit of meadow green
All familiar things
Are so dear to us.
Wistful smiles and a serious disposition
Are considered virtues in these parts
Even serious things can be uttered
With a gently laughing face
People living here
Are aware of this.
Scent of clover and breezes from the seashore
Float across this bright and sunny home
Do you hear the leaves softly whispering?
Love is summer’s welcome guest
Laughter here and there
In the summer air.
Learn more
Other blog posts
>> A Guide to Swedish Pastries
>> Scandinavia as Your Kitchen
>> Where to Enjoy the Spring in Stockholm