Finnish Midsummer Celebrations: Family, Sauna, and Traditions

What is Midsummer?

Juhannus, also known as Midsummer, is a significant holiday in Finland, celebrated on or around the 20th-24th of June. In Finland it is celebrated to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. From this day onwards, the day becomes shorter for a few minutes up until winter time when the night is also at its longest.

This festival is a time for family gatherings, delicious food, and relaxation by the lakeside. The occasion holds cultural and historical importance, and is often associated with traditions such as bonfires and midnight sun.

Today, it is a time for Finns to gather with family and friends, to head to the countryside, enjoy bonfires, sauna baths, and indulging in traditional foods like new potatoes, fish, and strawberries. The festival also includes traditional dances, and is a time for relaxation and revelry.

How Do We Celebrate Our Midsummer?

Like others, we took the opportunity to retreat to our summer cottage and enjoy the long days doing some relaxing activities like bicycling, swimming, sauna and a cold drink, boating, cleaning and the likes. These activities are essential to the Finnish lifestyle and are common sights to see in very Finnish summer houses. Grilling is also not to be missed and normally done with family members and friends around with the company of a cold drink.

Sauna Time

Not to be missed is the sauna that holds great cultural and social significance, especially during Midsummer festivities. Saunas are an integral part of Finnish tradition, often considered a sacred place for relaxation, purification, and social bonding. During Midsummer, the sauna plays a central role in the celebration, as it is customary to purify both the body and the mind before the start of the new season. Many Finns believe that a proper sauna session during Midsummer will bring good health and luck for the rest of the year. Traditionally, people would use vihta or a bundle of birch twigs to gently beat themselves, a practice believed to improve blood circulation and enhance the overall sauna experience. After the sauna session, it is common to cool off by taking a dip in a nearby lake or pond, further connecting with nature. This ancient tradition continues to be a cherished part of Finnish culture, fostering a sense of community and well-being. Believe me, it feels good and worth trying.