Music & Arts
Midsummer Celebrations Around The U.S.
As our loyal Umgås readers know, Midsummer typically is celebrated on a Friday between June 20 and June 26 at the time of the summer solstice.
The holiday, second only to Christmas for Swedes, brings friends, family and Swedes together for a large celebration. At a typical gathering, you can see people of all ages wearing homemade flower crowns and dancing around the maypole (a pole, often decorated with flower wreaths).
In case you didn’t make it to IKEA for its annual Midsummer Smörgåsbord dinner or any big Midsummer events in the United States earlier this month, we’ve got you covered. Here are some upcoming Midsummer events around the country that caught our attention.
Swedish Midsummer Festival
On Friday, June 22, from 5-8 p.m. in Battery Park City in lower Manhattan, the Midsummer celebration will kick off. The festival will include traditional music from Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, flower wreath making, traditional games and decorating of the Midsummer pole.
Annual Midsommar Celebration
On Sunday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Carderock Picnic Pavilion in Bethesda, Md., Drott Lodge, the American Scandinavian Association and the local SWEA chapter are hosting their 18th annual Midsommar celebration. Come out for maypole decorating, live music, dancing, games, flower wreath decorating, a pot luck dinner and more.
The American Swedish Historical Museum Midsommarfest
On Saturday, June 23, from 4-7 p.m., the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia will celebrate its 2018 Midsommarfest. Enjoy homemade Swedish pastries, music, food, drinks, games for kids and face painting at the ASHM.
House of Sweden Midsummer Event
On Sunday, June 24, from 12-5 p.m. in Balboa Park in San Diego, the House of Sweden is throwing its Midsummer celebration. Celebrate the Swedish Midsummer, and enjoy a Swedish singing group, Balboa Park’s international dancers, Swedish candy and crafts, traditional dances and costumes.
Vasa Park Midsummer Celebration
On Sunday, June 24, from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Vasa Park in Agoura Hills, Calif., is hosting its 98th annual Midsummer celebration. The entrance donation is $5 for adults and $2 for children (includes parking). Breakfast will be served from 9-11 a.m., and the raising of the maypole will be at noon. A parade, stage performances, games, folk dancing, crafts and swimming will follow.
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in Estes Park
From June 22-24 in Estes Park, Colo., the Scandinavian Alliance of Colorado is hosting its annual Midsummer festival. The festival has free admission, public parking and is family friendly. Enjoy traditional food, flower-crown making, sausage eating, beer drinking, community dancing and live music.
Scandinavian Summer Fest
On Sunday, June 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, Svenskarnas Dag is hosting a festival to celebrate Midsummer. The event is free, and a Swedish church service will be held at 10:30 a.m. before the children’s parade kicks off. The raising of the Midsommarstang (maypole) will be at noon, followed by a day of Scandinavian music, food, demonstrations and vendors. The day will close with the crowning of the 2019 Miss Svenskarnas Dag and Junior Royalty.
Annual Midsommar Celebration
On Saturday, June 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the Swedish American Heritage Society of West Michigan is having its annual Midsommar celebration. Come out for food, music, dancing, kubb, raffles and more. All food and beverages are included in the ticket price ($10 for adult members, $12 for adult nonmembers, $5 for children 5-15 and free for children 4 and under). Tickets at the event will cost $15.
Midsommar Rosé Fest
On Saturday, June 23 from 1-5 p.m., Fullerton Wines in Beaverton, Ore., will host its third annual Midsommar Rosé Fest. Swedish food will be paired with Fullerton Wines. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door.
