Midsummer

"Midsummer Night" redirects here. For other uses, see Midsummer (disambiguation).

Midsummer
Summer Solstice
Midsummer bonfire in Tysnes, Norway
Also calledFeast of Saint John the Baptist, Summer Solstice, St. John's Feast Day, Jāņi, Enyovden, Līþa/Lithe, midsommar, Ivan Kupala Day, Juhannus/Mittumaari (from Swedish midsommar)/Keskikesä (from Swedish midsommar), Alban Hefin, Gŵyl Ganol yr Haf, Sankthans, Joninės, jaanipäev, Kresna noč
Observed by
TypeCultural and Religious
SignificanceMarks the traditional middle of summer, beginning of Meteorological summer, and the nativity of St. John the Baptist.
CelebrationsFestivals, bonfires, feasting, singing, maypole dancing
ObservancesChurch service,[2] reenactments of the life of Saint John the Baptist,[5] processions,[6] baptisms,[7] and church weddings[8]
DateA date close to the summer solstice
Related toNativity of St. John the Baptist, Saint John's Eve

Midsummer is a celebration of the season of summer, taking place on or near the date of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere; the longest day of the year. The name "midsummer" mainly refers to summer solstice festivals of European origin. In these cultures it is traditionally regarded as the middle of summer, with the season beginning on May Day.[9] Although the summer solstice falls on 20, 21 or 22 June in the Northern Hemisphere, it was traditionally reckoned to fall on 23–24 June in much of Europe. These dates were Christianized as Saint John's Eve and Saint John's Day. It is usually celebrated with outdoor gatherings that include bonfires and feasting.

  1. ^ traditionally and more common in Quebec
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LapointeTessier1988 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ in some states of that country[2]
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference TIFCF2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tornabuoni2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Hanawalt, Barbara; Reyerson, Kathryn (1994). City and Spectacle in Medieval Europe. University of Minnesota Press. p. 244. ISBN 9780816623600.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reis2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference SwedenSE2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Harper, Douglas. "midsummer". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 22 June 2023.