Midsummer Day in Estonia
June 24 · Level 10 · #37 of 2238
Jaanipäev is Estonia’s midsummer celebration, bringing older seasonal customs together with the feast of Saint John the Baptist. Short nights, bonfires and time outdoors give the holiday its unmistakable atmosphere.
How it is celebrated: the main festivities begin on the evening before. Families and friends head into the countryside for bonfires, singing, dancing and food cooked outdoors. Jumping over the fire is also a traditional custom.
Folklore promises good fortune to anyone who finds a fern flower that night. There is one small botanical obstacle: ferns do not produce flowers.