On 6 June Swedes celebrate the National Day in honor of two historical events: Gustav Vasa being elected king (1523) and the new constitution (1809). Since 2005, it is a public holiday. As summer approaches, anticipation builds for one of Sweden's most beloved traditions: Midsummer.

This vibrant festival, second only to Christmas in its importance, marks the start of the summer season and takes place on a Friday between June 19 and 25. In 2024, Midsummer Eve - the longest day of the year, falls on June 21, and there's no better way to immerse yourself in Swedish culture than by joining the festivities.

Why Dalarna is the place to be
Over the Midsummer weekend, Swedish cities are usually quiet as most local people head off to the countryside and celebrate the Midsummer holiday with their families and friends. No one and no place in Sweden celebrates Midsummer quite like Dalarna in central Sweden. When you picture quintessential images of Sweden – charming, brightly painted wooden horses, red cottages with white gables, and people dancing around the Midsummer maypole – they all originate from Dalarna.

Explore More Celebrations Across Sweden
While Dalarna offers the most traditional experience, Midsummer is celebrated throughout Sweden, here is a list of ten locations, each adding its unique charm:

Leksand, Dalarna
Leksand in Dalarna hosts the world's largest Midsummer celebration, attracting close to 30,000 visitors annually. Experience the heart of Swedish tradition at Gropen in Leksand, where the community gathers for an unforgettable celebration of joy and cultural heritage. Fiddlers, folk dancers, choirs, and Sweden's tallest maypole are gathered for the classic ring dance.

Rättvik, Dalarna
Rättvik's fantastic Midsummer festival attracts many visitors each year. The celebration kicks off with a parade featuring horses, flags, garlands, folk musicians, and decorated wagons. Highlights include raising the maypole, folk music, speeches, and, most importantly, dancing and games around the pole.

Gothenburg archipelago
Experience Midsummer among the beautiful archipelago islands and sparkling seas. Several islands in the Gothenburg archipelago host Midsummer festivities. Don't miss the fun on Björkö, Vrångö and others.

Gunnebo House and Gardens, Gothenburg
Midsummer Eve is traditionally celebrated at Gunnebo House and Gardens, one of the Gothenburg region's most popular Midsummer events. Throughout the day, enjoy ring dances and dance performances.

Slottsskogen, Gothenburg
In Gothenburg's Slottsskogen park, experience a vibrant Midsummer festival complete with traditional dancing, games, and a lively atmosphere perfect for families and solo travelers alike.

Visby, Gotland
In Visby on Gotland, Midsummer is celebrated with a true folk festival. Enjoy entertainment, sing-alongs with a traditional Gotland accordion band, dancing around the maypole, and even horse-drawn carriage rides. It's a lively and authentic celebration that captures the spirit of Swedish Midsummer.

Sofiero Palace, Helsingborg
Sofiero Palace in Helsingborg hosts a traditional Midsummer gathering in a blooming setting. Enjoy singing and dancing around the maypole, games for the whole family, and a delightful royal atmosphere.

Stockholm archipelago
What could be more idyllic than celebrating Midsummer in Stockholm's beautiful archipelago? You can choose from various festivities arranged on the islands. Fjäderholmarna, Grinda, Vaxholm, and Sandhamn all host classic gatherings, each offering a unique charm.

Skansen, Stockholm
Join the festivities at Skansen in Stockholm, where you can enjoy traditional Midsummer celebrations in an open-air museum setting. Dance, music, and cultural displays ideally introduce Swedish heritage.

Riksgränsen, Swedish Lapland
For a unique twist, celebrate Midsummer on skis in Riksgränsen. Traditionally open during the Midsummer weekend, weather permitting, Riksgränsen offers fantastic skiing opportunities under the midnight sun.

Swedish Midsummer in New York
If you can't make it to Sweden, join the largest official Midsummer celebration outside of Sweden in New York City. On June 21st, 5-9 PM, Rockefeller Park in downtown Manhattan will host the annual Swedish Midsummer Festival, presented by the Consulate General of Sweden, New York, and Battery Park City Authority. Enjoy traditional music, dancing, and the chance to make your floral wreaths from flowers representing those in bloom on the solstice in Sweden and indulge in delicious Swedish treats from a variety of vendors present at the festival.

5 tips on how to celebrate Midsummer like a true Swede

1. Dance around the maypole: Join cheerful Swedes in the traditional dances around the decorated maypole, a central part of any Midsummer celebration. Make sure you join the “Små Grodorna” (The Little Frogs) dance and hop away from all worries.
2. Sing traditional songs: Join in singing Swedish songs, often accompanied by accordion music.
3. Wear a flower wreath: Craft a floral wreath, a beautiful and essential accessory for the festivities. Pick seven types of flowers and place them under your pillow to dream of your future spouse.
4. Enjoy a traditional feast: Savor a typical Midsummer menu with different kinds of pickled herring, boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, soured cream, and chives, and for dessert strawberries with cream. The traditional accompaniment is cold beer and schnapps, preferably spiced. Every time the glasses are refilled, singing breaks out anew.
5. Stay up for the midnight sun: Experience the magic of the long, bright nights by staying up to enjoy the light of the midnight sun.

The origins
In agrarian times, Midsummer celebrations in Sweden were held to welcome summertime and the season of fertility. It was not until the 1900s, that this became the most Swedish of all traditional festivities. Midsummer Night, one of the lightest of the year, was considered a magical night, as it was the best time for telling people's futures. Also, that night, it was said, that water was turned into wine and ferns into flowers. Many plants acquired healing powers on that one night of the year.

How to get there from North America?
During the summer of 2024, Stockholm Arlanda Airport will have non-stop connections between Stockholm Arlanda Airport and New York (EWR and JFK), Montreal, and Toronto.

In addition to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) daily service from New York, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines serves New York several times a week. Air Canada will operate routes to Toronto and Montreal (starting June 12 and 14 respectively) in addition to the routes already served by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) to Toronto.

For more information and inspiration:

• Videos: Swedish Midsummer by Visit Sweden and Swedish Midsummer for Dummies
• Photo Midsummer in Dalarna, credits: Per Bifrost/imagebank.sweden.se (Download)
• More press photos to download
• Related information: Midsummer in Sweden – a cherished tradition
• Midsummer Traditions by the Swedish Institute

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Four new Swedish restaurants awarded Michelin Stars

Sweden's culinary landscape continues to captivate global attention, as evidenced by the latest additions to the prestigious Michelin Guide. At the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2024 award ceremony held on May 27, four Swedish restaurants were awarded coveted stars.

In Stockholm, Celeste, Dashi and Seafood Gastro were rewarded with one star while Chef-Owner Daniel Berlin and his restaurant VYN in Simrishamn, South Sweden, got two stars, just six months after opening. These newly starred establishments reflect the rich diversity of Swedish gastronomy, blending traditional flavors with modern techniques and showcasing the finest local ingredients.

At the same time, Björn Frantzén's restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm retains its three Michelin stars, as the only one in Sweden and as one of now a total of six restaurants in the Nordic region with three stars.

Read on for the motivation what makes each of these places so special.

New Two Michelin Star Restaurant VYN – Simrishamn, Sweden
Achieving the rare and undoubtedly impressive feat of going straight into the Guide with Two Michelin Stars, VYN is the latest restaurant to serve as a platform for its ingenious Chef-Owner Daniel Berlin. Having held Two Stars at his previous, eponymously named restaurant in Skåne Tranås, VYN represents Daniel's welcome return to the top of Swedish gastronomy.

New One Michelin Star Restaurants
Celeste – Stockholm
One of three new One Stars for Stockholm this year, Celeste is a tucked-away restaurant on the 8th floor of the Batteriet building. Precise cooking from Chefs Ludwig Tjörnemo and Michael Andersson ensures the fine produce gets the treatment it deserves, and they show great generosity in their offering – the menu may be set, but don't be surprised to receive the odd extra course or drink along the way.

Dashi – Stockholm
Becoming Stockholm's second Japanese restaurant with a Michelin Star, this venture is propelled by Chef-Owners Harry Jordås and Nathan Turley. While neither hails from Japan, they have created an exceptional homage to its cuisine through their detailed dishes and passion for their craft.

Seafood Gastro – Stockholm
If you like your Michelin Star restaurants at the luxury end of the spectrum, then this is the one for you. Run under the auspices of Mathias Dahlgren – with Staffan Naess and Jonas Hedenqvist in the kitchen – there is a formal elegance to the room and an undeniable opulence to the menu. Whether it's caviar, langoustine or turbot, you're likely to encounter premium ingredients of exceptional quality – cooked with both strong technique and a good understanding of the produce.

Previously, 18 restaurants in Sweden had stars in the Guide Michelin.

Three Michelin Star Restaurants in Sweden:
Frantzén, Stockholm

Two Michelin Star Restaurants in Sweden:
AIRA, Stockholm
Aloë, Stockholm
Vollmers, Malmö
VYN, Simrishamn – New

One Michelin Star Restaurants in Sweden:
28+, Gothenburg
Adam / Albin, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker
Celeste, Stockholm – New
Dashi, Stockholm – New
Ekstedt, Stockholm
Etoile, Stockholm
Knystaforsen, Rydöbruk
Koka, Gothenburg
Nour, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Project, Gothenburg
Seafood Gastro, Stockholm – New
Signum, Mölnlycke
SK Mat & Människor, Gothenburg
Sushi Sho, Stockholm

For more info: Guide Michelin restaurants in the Nordics

New restaurants in Sweden 2024
In addition to these Michelin-starred marvels, 2024 also sees the opening of numerous exciting new restaurants across Sweden. These new establishments contribute to Sweden's vibrant food scene with fresh perspectives, unique concepts, and creative dishes. From innovative fine dining experiences to cosy eateries.

PR contact: Josefin Haraldsson, Head of PR Visit Sweden US, pressusa@visitsweden.com

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