Midsummer is one, if not, the most cherished celebration in Sweden. Some Swedes have told me it’s more important than Christmas to them..and I now that I’ve celebrated I can see why. A typical Swede would celebrate Midsummer, almost how us Americans would celebrate 4th of July – privately at someone’s house or summer house with family and friends. However, as an outsider, one of the best places to celebrate a traditional Swedish Midsummer is in Leksand in Dalarna County, Sweden.
Since the winters in Scandinavia are so long and sometime harsh, Midsummer is the perfect way to celebrate the long summer sun. Historically, it is a Pegan holiday to celebrate the summer solstice aka, the longest day of the year. The sun is the key aspect for celebration as it signifies abundance, fertility, and healing. And in Sweden, that is taken to another level, because the sun really never sets this day – and it is glorious.
You’ll see many of the Pagan origins still be practiced today, from rituals like dancing around the maypole, wearing flower crowns, and being with friends and family, eating traditional foods.
So what can you expect from celebrating Midsummer in Leksand? Here is where they usually post the information and schedule of events.
Midsummer Eve Eve
- 6:00: Maypole raising with fiddlers, at Carl Ohlson, northern bridgehead.
Midsummer Eve
- 4:00 PM: Small maypole raising for children and adults at Leksand’s local history centers. This “small” maypole is actually quite big, it’s a nice introduction for the big one to come
- 7:00: Church boats from from under the southern bridge. There are fiddlers, folk dancers, the church choir, flower garlands and wreaths for the maypole that row down the river.
- 7:45: Maypole raising. This actually takes A LOT longer than you’d like. It may take an hour or so.
- 9:30 PM: Singing and dancing around the maypole. This is where the frog song and other come into practice. This was my favorite aspect of the day, it was so much fun.
How to get to Leksand
Leksand is in Dalarna County, which is a more rural and traditional area of Sweden. It is actually where the famous wooden Dala horses are from. That being said, the public transportation isn’t the the most frequent – so renting a car is going to be the best option. It’s such a beautiful drive from whatever direction you come from, we saw dozens of purple lupine flowers on our drive up.
Where to stay in Leksand
There are many traditional and simple places to stay in Leksand that radiate that true Swedish life. There are multiple areas close by that you can stay in besides Leksand like Tällberg, Insjön, and Rättvik. All are less than 20 mins away from Leksand. Make sure to book far in advance, because places book up quickly this time of year.
I booked late and got this place in Rättvik, it was a no-frills experience, but did the job and at a pretty reasonable price for only being 20 mins away from the festivities.
There are also numerous campsites in these areas, so if you want another option, check camping out.
What to eat for Midsummer
So what are those traditional Midsummer foods? They are the fresh, simple, and traditional Swedish foods like pickled herring, potatoes with dill, meatballs or sausages, cheese and crisp bread, smoked fish, and strawberries (not just any strawberries, but Swedish strawberries, they’re different).
Then you wash it all down with some aquavit, which is a Scandinavian vodka. It is flavored with fennel, so it has a slight licorice flavor to it. You either love it or hate it. O.P. Anderson is the OG brand.
You can buy some of these foods to then have a picnic at midsummer or there are several restaurants that will serve a traditional midsummer lunch buffet that you can get them at. Here is one that is option is great.
What to wear for Midsummer
One of the more important questions..what should you wear?! Women usually wear flowy dresses and men wear flowy or regular clothes.
Flower crowns are also imperative for women. On your way into the festival, you can pick some wildflowers along the way and when sitting you can make your crown
What to prepare / bring for Midsummer
There are so many songs and dances that happen at the end of the night around the Maypole. So learning some of the songs and dances will be good to join in on the fun. One of the most important is the “frog song” or Små Grodorna.
- Swedish lyrics: Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se. Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de. Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de. Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack ack kaa. Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
- English translation: The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe. The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe. No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess. No ears, no ears, no tails do they possess. Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,kou ack ack ack ack kaa.Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
There are dozens of port-a-potties, but be warned the lines can be horrendous. So try to find a restaurant nearby where you can use the bathroom or try not to drink a lot.
Some other essentials to bring:
- Picnic supplies like meats and cheeses to eat during the festivities. There are tons of food trucks and vendors there, but the lines can be long
- Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on
- Water, aquavit, or any other drink of choice
How did you celebrate Midsommer this year?
