Can anyone help me and my wife celebrate the Midsummer festival in Sweden? Apparently it is june 24 but celebrated this year on Friday the23rd.
We will be in Stockholm but could leave town for a night to be somewhere more rural. Is there any sort of bonfire fest that is open to the public and to American strangers? Or will these kinds of observations be very familial and private?
Never done this before but intrigued!
Thanks - J
PS we had wanted to leave stockholm at some point to visit Uppsala. Would that be a good town to enjoy summer solstice?
In Stockholm, Skansen has activities on Midsommar. The main celebrations are always on Midsommar's Eve (Midsommarsafton) which is on Friday. They start in the afternoon and go well into the night. Midsommar in Sweden isn't really a bonfire fest. It is traditional songs, dancing around a maypole (learn the little frog song and dance), and a spring meal of herring, new potatoes, strawberries, and lots of schnapps. Most people will head to the countryside. Many shops and restaurants will be closed.
Since you will already be in Stockholm, I'd suggest that you head to Skansen and enjoy the festivities that they have there.
http://www.skansen.se/en/midsommar-på-skansen
Learn the little frogs dance "små grodorna"
https://youtu.be/on9PLzlY0Ww
and song
https://youtu.be/GIUNWBkcwzY
and you will be all set.
thank you!
aha, I thought there was a bonfire and a ritual praising of Odin but never mind :)
Is the Skansen observance a public thing, open to anyone, with food vendors etc?
Is Skansen a town or an amusement park?
Skansen is a major site in Stockholm. It is an outdoor museum. Think Sturbridge Village, Plymouth Plantation... Sherbourne ? in NY. Pick up a tour book and read about it. You shouldn't miss it, Midsummer or not. There is an amusement park on the same island, Gröna Lund, if you are interested in that.
Skansen is an open air folk museum; there is an admission charge. They have historic buildings that have been collected from all over Sweden, traditional crafts, and a zoo with native animals. On Swedish holidays, they often have folk dancers, music, etc.
Thank you - sorry, I hadn't gotten to this yet in my planning! I am greatly looking forward to visiting, Midsummer or not! :)
