Bring a little Midsommar magic home with our guide from Eva, Siblings co-founder and resident Swedish expat.
If you’ve ever needed an excuse to wear a flower crown—this is it.
Midsommar, Sweden’s beloved summer solstice celebration, is a joyful tribute to the longest day of the year. It’s filled with tradition: singing, pickled herring (sill), way too many potatoes… and yes, people really do dance barefoot around a maypole.
But at its heart, it’s about something simpler:
Joy. Tradition. Togetherness. And a deep reverence for light.
Even if you’re not Swedish, you can still bring a little Midsommar magic into your own rituals. Whether that means gathering outside with friends, lighting a candle at golden hour, or simply noticing how long the light lasts—here are 7 cozy, intentional ways to celebrate.
1. Gather Wildflowers for a Flower Crown
Midsommar and flower crowns go hand in hand. Pick what’s in bloom around you—daisies, clover, greenery—and weave your own crown (imperfect is perfect). Scatter the extras on your table or in small vases.
2. Set a Beautiful Table Outdoors
The Midsommar table is the heart of the celebration. Bring out your best dishes, mismatched or not. Layer it with linen, seasonal greenery, wildflowers, and candles. Let it feel festive, homemade, and full of love.
3. Eat a Seasonal Meal—Outside
Dine al fresco, no matter what’s on the menu. In Sweden, that means pickled herring, gravlax, potatoes, and strawberry cake. But whatever feels fresh and celebratory to you is enough. The only rule? Eat outside.
4. Dance in the Grass
You don’t need a maypole. Just bare feet, some music, and a willingness to be a little silly. Folk songs optional—but highly encouraged.
5. Take a Dip (Yes, Even if It’s Cold)
A swim marks the season. Lakes, oceans, cold plunges—it all counts. In Sweden, there’s no shortage of water, but even a quick splash in a tub will do. Brave the chill. It’s tradition.
6. Light a Candle at Sundown
Even as the sky stays light, candlelight brings a different kind of glow. Light a candle to mark the shift from day to night, and let the moment feel sacred.
7. Slow Down, Stay Up Late, Soak in the Light
Let this be a night that stretches. Say yes to one more drink, one more story, one more moment outside. Midsommar is a reminder to pause. To gather. To celebrate light, green things, and joy for joy’s sake.
Bring the Ritual Home
You don’t need to live in Sweden to live a little more like this. Cook something simple. Light a candle. Stay out late. Let this solstice be more than just a date on the calendar—let it be a ritual you return to every year.
Because we could all use a little more Midsommar energy in our lives.
Scent picks for dancing barefoot and staying up late:
Neroli Noir, Njuta, No 01, No 02, No 03
