Midsummer is one of Sweden’s most cherished holidays. It’s a time when we celebrate the sun reaching its highest point in the sky and welcome summer with folk dancing, music, and traditional Swedish Midsummer dishes. A traditional Midsummer table is usually set with new potatoes, several kinds of herring, gravlax, cheese pie, roe sauce, schnapps and nubbe, meatballs, and strawberry cake.

In the past, in rural communities, Midsummer marked the turning point of the working year, and decorating the Midsummer pole with leaves was said to symbolize a good harvest and lush growth. But the tradition is even older than that.

We have celebrated Midsummer in Sweden since the Middle Ages, and according to folklore, Midsummer’s Eve itself was believed to be full of magical powers and supernatural beings. Even today, it is said that if, on Midsummer’s Eve, you pick and place seven kinds of flowers under your pillow, you will dream of someone who loves you.

Today, Midsummer marks the start of summer and vacation for most Swedes. In Vaxholm, we celebrate traditionally at Lägret, where we decorate and raise the Midsummer pole before the Vaxholm Folk Dance Society invites everyone to dance.