How to Celebrate the Summer Solstice from the Fjords of Norway to the Beaches of Spain

From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, Europe’s midsummer solstice celebrations invite travellers to join time-honoured rituals in unforgettable settings. From fire-lit coastlines to folkloric gatherings beneath the midnight sun, the longest day of the year is marked by diverse celebrations, united by community and shared tradition. Here’s where to experience it in its full glory – and where to stay when you do.

Experience Juhannus magic under the midnight sun in Finland

Midsummer is a major holiday in Finland, with people often spending the holiday at summer cabins, enjoying saunas, and barbeques (Photo: Getty Images)

In Finland, Juhannus – the midsummer holiday – is a national rite of passage celebrating light, nature and community. In Helsinki, Seurasaari Island comes alive with folk dancing, live music and a traditional bonfire celebration – all framed by the midnight sun, which barely dips below the horizon. Keep close to the action with the distinctly Finnish Hotel U14, Autograph Collection, where bold Nordic design is paired with local touches like a classic sauna and invigorating bucket shower.

Leap through fire for midsummer rites in Greece

Klidonas is a traditional Greek celebration held on June 24th, which coincides with the feast day of Saint John the Baptist (Photo: Getty Images)

In Greece, the summer solstice coincides with Klidonas festival, a folkloric festival traditionally held on 23rd or 24th June and now closely associated with St John’s Day. Celebrated on Naxos and Crete, it blends ancient customs with Christian tradition, featuring purification bonfires and rituals said to reveal future romantic prospects. Base yourself nearby at Cosme, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paros, on Naxos’ sister island. This beachfront sanctuary offers a private beach club and a saltwater infinity pool that melts into the Aegean horizon.

Embrace barefoot revelry in Spain

La Noche de San Juan is a vibrant cultural celebration that blends Christian traditions with ancient pagan rituals that originally celebrated the summer solstice (Photo: Getty Images)

In Spain, the summer solstice gives way to La Noche de San Juan, a fiery, salt-sprayed celebration of renewal held on 23rd June across the country with beach bonfires. In Málaga, locals scribble wishes or regrets onto slips of paper, then cast them into the flames at midnight in hopes of renewal. Stay moments from the waterfront at the AC Hotel Málaga Palacio, where a rooftop pool and panoramic terrace bar offer sweeping views across the bay.

Join in with midsummer song in Denmark

Denmark celebrates the summer solstice by lighting large bonfires, an important tradition in Danish society (Photo: Getty Images)

In Denmark, Sankt Hans Aften on 23rd June is a spirited midsummer tradition marked by bonfires, speeches and the burning of straw witches – a ritual said to banish evil and usher in the light. In Copenhagen, the festivities unfold along the harbourfront and in Tivoli Gardens, where crowds gather to sing Midsommervisen, Holger Drachmann’s evocative midsummer anthem. Make the most of the evening at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the skyline. Dine on the waterside terrace before joining the flickering celebrations nearby.

Track the solstice sunrise at England's iconic Stonehenge

Stonehenge continues to captivate our imagination with its mysterious origins and purpose (Photo: Getty Images)

In England, the summer solstice draws thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric monument whose massive 'sarsen' stones were placed to align with the longest day of the year. As dawn breaks on 21st June, the sun rises directly above the Heel Stone, casting light into the stone circle – a moment steeped in mystery. Nearby Avebury offers a more low-key but equally evocative solstice gathering, with open-access stone circles nestled within a charming Wiltshire village. Base yourself an hour away at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, a clifftop retreat with gorgeous sea views.

Gaze at fjordlight in Norway

Jonsok is Norway's traditional midsummer celebration with rich historical roots and unique customs (Photo: Getty Images)

In Norway, Jonsok – or St John’s Eve – is celebrated on 23rd June with bonfires, music, and handmade garlands crafted from silver birch wood. The mood is festive and communal, especially in Bergen, where midsummer gatherings take place by the lakes and harbours. It's also the ideal time for a fjord cruise – a luminous, late-night voyage through dramatic cliffs and glassy water. Make the most of it at the Moxy Bergen, a stylishly designd hotel just steps from the light rail. Expect fjord views from many rooms, plus a vibrant lounge bar perfect for toasting the endless light.

Tread sacred ground at Ireland's Hill of Tara

The Hill of Tara is a remarkable archaeological complex which played a central role in Irish history, mythology, and cultural identity for thousands of years (Photo: Getty Images)

In Ireland, the summer solstice – Grianstad an tSamhraidh – is deeply rooted in mythology and mysticism. A powerful place to mark the occasion is the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings, just 45 minutes from Dublin. On 21st June, visitors gather at sunrise for music, storytelling, and quiet reflection amid sacred mounds and standing stones aligned with celestial events. Stay in the capital at the The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection, a Dublin landmark with views across St Stephen’s Green and drawing rooms that nod to the city’s literary past.

Behold spectacular Alpine fire in Austria

Sonnwendfeuer represents one of Austria’s most visually spectacular and culturally significant traditions (Photo: Getty Images)

In Austria, the summer solstice is marked with a breathtaking alpine ritual. On 21st June, the Tyrolean Alps are set aglow by thousands of mountain fires, lit in elaborate patterns along the ridgelines of the Mieminger range and beyond. The tradition dates back centuries and continues to evolve into spectacular light displays that honour both nature and community. Stay close to the action at the AC Hotel Innsbruck, where sleek, contemporary rooms open onto views of the surrounding peaks. Downstairs, a glass-fronted restaurant and bar invite you to linger – before heading out to see the peaks set alight.

Enjoy midsummer music in France

La Fête de la Musique is a unique and beloved cultural celebration in France that has spread globally (Photo: Getty Images)

In France, the solstice arrives to the sound of instruments tuning up for the Fête de la Musique, a nationwide music festival held every 21st June. Nowhere is it more atmospheric than in Paris, where jazz quartets, orchestras and street DJs fill the streets When the last notes fade, retreat to the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, just off the Champs-Élysées. This Art Deco gem blends glamour with elegance – mosaic floors, wrought ironwork and a leafy courtyard where you can sip champagne as the city hums beyond the walls.

Don a flower crown and dance around the maypole in Sweden

Midsummer festivals have existed in Sweden for at least 500 years (Photo: Getty Images)

In Sweden, Midsommar ranks with Christmas and St. Lucia's Day for cultural importance – a jubilant celebration of light, nature and connection. Families and friends gather to dance around maypoles, feast on pickled herring and chant traditional songs with brännvin (a strong alcoholic drink) in hand. In Skansen, Stockholm’s open-air museum, you’ll find one of the country’s most iconic public gatherings, complete with folk costumes and live music. Afterwards, unwind at the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, situated in the heart of the city. Many rooms offer views of Lake Mälaren, the Royal Palace, or the historic Old Town and the restaurant serves modern Scandinavian cuisine to complement the Midsommar celebrations.

Published: May 13, 2025

Last Updated: June 05, 2025