Celebrate the Midsummer Eve with style

Places to enjoy Midsummer throughout Europe!

The Midsummer Eve celebrations have been occurring since pre-Christian times. There is always a certain magic to Midsummer festivals, from the Midsummer Carnivals of Ireland to the revelries of the Finnish Midsummer, from the bonfires of French celebrations to the unique, mass festivities of the Swedish Midsummer, on what is probably the most important day in the Swedish calendar.

Midsummer Eve means many things to many cultures, with origins known to date from pre-Christian history. The connection with the summer solstice is clearly recognisable though, and many European cultures now associate the event with the birth of John the Baptist. Even the date changes from culture to culture, but always around the 21st and 24th June, around the longest day of the year, and there is always a magical atmosphere if joy, excitement and optimism.

Great Midsummer Eve Holidays

Top Five Midsummer Holiday Destinations

Midsummer in Sweden

Sweden celebrates Midsummer's Eve and Midsummer's Day with gusto, on the Friday between 21st and 25th June. Swedish Midsummer festivals are lavish, steeped in folklore and great fun. Dancing, traditional dress and huge feasts spring up everywhere, and the local beer flows.

Midsummer in Finland

In Finland, Midsummer is the most celebrated day of revelry in the calendar. Bonfires burn, and in coastal regions, maypoles are erected but the day is all about folklore, feasts and joyous parties celebrating the Finland Midsummer.

Midsummer in Ireland

One of the Irish Quarter Days, Midsummer is greeted with concerts, fairs and firework displays. There are many folklore traditions associated with Midsummer's Eve, and the Summer Solstice celebrations at the Hill of Tara are world famous.

Midsummer in Sao Paulo

The Midsummer (midwinter in Brazil) is hugely important for thanking St John for rains vital to the area. Celebrated with gusto, towns compete for the title of 'biggest St John festival in the World' with feasts, dancing and costumes.

Midsummer in Poland

Celebrated on 23rd June, lasting from 8pm until sunrise, Midsummer festivals in Poland are a real treat. Traditional Polka dress is worn, especially in the northern regions, and the main cities organise huge celebrations.

Midsummer Eve is celebrated throughout large parts of Europe, especially in Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark and Norway, but also in countries throughout the world, from parts of England to Canada, Brazil to Russia. Midsummer was largely stopped in England during the reformation, but is still marked with bonfires and Midsummer festivals in part of the West Country and in a special celebration of the summer solstice at Stonehenge.

There are few times during the year when you can throw yourself into a countries culture with such ease than during the Midsummer festivals. Taking self catering Midsummer housing allows you to not only enjoy the celebrations, but also take a week to fully explore the food, leisure and nature of your Midsummer destination, rather than taking a hotel room for a couple of nights, removing you from the beating heart of the destination.