What It Is and How to Celebrate It

I’ve always been a summer girl. It’s cozy like autumn, active like winter, or hopeful like spring. Summer stands in itself as a bright and lively time. Happiness is leaving a juicy, dropped chin bite watermelon. And dizziness arrives in one cannonball from the diving board. The night stretches long during golden hour, and even lightning bolts turn on the electric charm. When the sun is kissed, everything in the world feels good.

So when asked to write a guide to celebrating the summer solstice, you can imagine my joy.

One of my favorite summer people is my stepmother. Somewhere along the way, a woman named Margaret began calling herself “Margaret” because she felt that she was right for her. (This name means “Wild France Daisy,” which is much more of her style.) As the family patriarch, she has encouraged her to live creatively and color outside the line, even rooted in her buttoned-up suburban neighborhoods in San Antonio.

Marguerite spent her day gardening and meditation as others played tennis at the club and sipped Tody. And when most families gathered in December for Christmas and Hanukkah, she led us with a moonlit winter solstice celebration. In the warmer months it was Maypole’s, Flowercrown, magical spells, and midsummer jubilation. It was magical and memorable. It taught me to get closer to the world with a heartfelt enthusiasm and a childlike whim.

A few years later, my beautiful stepmother is suffering from a debilitating rare brain disease. Now, more than ever, I find myself leaning against the memory of the traditions she has brought to my life. In honor of her precious and inspiring spirit, I began to consider incorporating some of her extremely wonderful ways to do this in me. My own A family of five.

Find out what the summer solstice is, why it is celebrated, and some ideas you can also incorporate into your own festival.

What is the summer solstice?

During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth’s axis tilts the most towards the Sun, offering the longest day of the year (think it!) and the shortest night. It always happens at the end of June. This year, the summer solstice will take place on Friday, June 20th, which will mark the astronomical start of summer.

Why do we celebrate it?

For thousands of years people have Celebrating the solstice in summer and winter According to the St. Neot Museum, it dates back to the Neolithic period as a marker for planting and harvesting seasons. Early Pagans adorn themselves with wreaths of herbs and flowers, which were believed to honour the summer solstice as a time to praise the god of the sun, and were decorating themselves with wreaths of herbs and flowers believed to drive away evil spirits (they thought were the most active in the summer). Today, these traditions continue to live in blissful celebrations that represent new life, light, renewal, fertility and abundance, both in ourselves and in the world around us.

How is the summer solstice celebrated all over the world?

In England, people gather to see the sunrise above the stones on their heels Stonehenge. In Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland, they celebrate with them Midsummer festivaleach has its own tradition (Swedes adorn their hair with flowers, dance around Maypole, while Finns soak in saunas and soak in saunas). Meanwhile, summer solische 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Fairbanks, Alaska Midnight Sun Baseball Game and the festival.

In England, crowds gather and watch the sun rise above the stones on his heels Stonehenge– Timeless Solstice tradition. Crossing Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland Midsummer festival Each will proceed to the center stage, each with its own unique habits. In Sweden, Level wears flower crowns and dances around Maypole, but in Finland, the flames of the bonfire and sauna are important parts of the celebration. Meanwhile, just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Fairbanks, Alaska, marks the summer solstice Midnight Sun Baseball Game And a citywide festival.

Want to create your own festival without traveling to the edge of the earth? Read some of our ideas and celebrate the longest day of the year!

Outdoor summer solstice activities

• I’m going on a hike. Go down the beaten path, lace up those hiking boots and get ready to sweat a little. There is no better way to celebrate the summer solstice ( Music and podcast free) hike through Mother Nature and only noise can be heard crushing dirt under the feet.
• Blessed with the glory of the sun. Go outside and allow your skin to soak a little Vitamin d. And if you’re hanging outside for more than a few minutes, here’s a summary of all of our favorite mineral and chemical sunscreens.
• Beat the grass game. Pickleball or BocceAnyone?
• Stargaze. Spread a blanket in your backyard and stare at the stars. Is it difficult to see the Milky Way because there is too much light in the city? Try leaving the town a little. The less light the city is, the more look down at the starry sky.

DIY summer crafts to celebrate the sun

• Leading your bohemian spirit. Design a DIY flower crown.
• Make a sun catcher. Bang and hang local bead store Handmade creation Inside the window, the beads can gently deflect the light into your home.
• Assemble the altar of Rita. Traditionally, the altar of Rita honors the sun and energy of the summer solstice with symbols such as yellow candles, herbs, flowers, and images of the sun.
• Become the goddess of the sun. Grab the ribbon, string, branch, sage and try your hand Sunwheel.

Adventure-inspired summer solstice ideas

• I’m going for a berry picking. Find a local farm outside the city and create a day of strolling through the trees and grapes.
• Set up camp. Find the perfect tent, gather wood for the bonfire, and head towards the hill.
• Have some evening dip. Do you have a pool? Find a nearby pool that swims by the lunar glow. (Do you live in Austin? We are biased towards swimming in the full moon Burton Springs. )
• Try paddle board yoga. At the true summer solstice SUP yoga Take you outside, celebrate the amazing outdoors, it’s the perfect exercise for both your body and balance, and just fun.

Summer solstice food ideas

Summer solstice ritual for reflection and renewal

• I’ll meditate. That’s easy Breathing and breathing.
• I’ll ground. Yes, it’s lively, but for good reason. Grounding is a trendy new tradition with ancient roots. It is said to reduce stress and inflammation, neutralize free radicals, improve sleep, and help skin tone and clarity.
• Set the intent. Was it only in January that you set your thoughts? Think about it again. Respect the celebration of the new beginnings of Solstis in the summer by handing over some new leaves of your own.
• Start something new. The summer solstice is all a new beginning, so now is the perfect time to learn more about Enneagram types or to feature natural journaling.

This post was last updated on June 20, 2025 to include new insights.