Finnish Midsummer Traditions: Bonfires, Strawberries and the Midnight Sun
Ever seen the sun shining at midnight? Join me for a personal look at how Finns celebrate their favorite summer holiday – with fire, flowers and quiet moments by the water.
In this blog, I share real stories from Finland and related audio files to boost your Finnish.
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What Is Midsummer in Finland?
Did you know that this weekend we celebrated Midsummer, juhannus, in Finland? Midsummer is always on the third weekend of June, and the most important day, Midsummer Eve, is on the third Friday of June.
Midsummer is a special holiday for me. It represents summer. And maybe for many other Finns too.
During Midsummer, the sun shines through the night. In the north of Finland, the sun doesn’t set at all, and in the south, it sets only for a short time.
Cities become quiet as people go to their summer cottages. Almost all Finns want to celebrate Midsummer by a lake or the sea. Midsummer also means good grilled food, and of course, the sauna.
Finnish Midsummer Traditions: Bonfires and Spells
An old (nd perhaps the most important) tradition is the Midsummer bonfire (juhannuskokko). A long time ago, people believed the fire kept away bad spirits. Today, it’s more about symbolizing Midsummer.
The bonfire is always built near water, so the fire is easier to control. If someone has a good place, they can build a bonfire with family or friends. If not, there are many public bonfires around Finland that anyone can visit.
Another tradition is the Midsummer spell (juhannustaika). In the old days, getting married was very important, and people used spells to see their future husband or wife.
Even today, some people still do a fun version of Midsummer spells: On Midsummer Eve, you pick 7 or 9 flowers (the number depends on the region) and put them under your pillow. That night, you are supposed to see your future partner in your dreams.
My godmother taught me this spell when I was about 10 years old. We picked a small bouquet of 7 flowers and put it under my pillow.
I definitely didn’t see my future husband in my dream, but doing the spell was exciting for a young child.
Learn the Finnish Words of Midsummer
Listen and repeat these Finnish words and phrases:
juhannus – Midsummer
juhannuskokko – Midsummer bonfire
juhannustaika – Midsummer spell or charm
juhannusmuisto – Midsummer memory
keskiyön aurinko – midnight sun
mökki – summer cottage
järvi – lake
sauna – sauna (same in English!)
kokko palaa – the bonfire is burning
aurinko paistaa – the sun is shining
Is there a Finnish word or expression you'd like help with?
Leave a comment or message me via chat: I’d be happy to explain or pronounce it for you!
Best Midsummer Memories
When I think of Midsummer, I always see a Finnish lake and a bonfire in my mind.
We never had our own bonfire, so the highlight of Midsummer was going to see one. Even when I was a small child, seeing the bonfire was important to me.
My best Midsummer memory, juhannusmuisto, is from about 20 years ago. My whole family went boating on a big lake on Midsummer Eve. As the evening got a little darker, we saw many bonfires along the shore. It was a beautiful view from the water.
My 2025 Midsummer: Bonfire and Strawberries in Laukaa
For me, Midsummer always means two things: a bonfire and strawberries.
I bought strawberries a few days before and made a small strawberry dessert. Usually, people eat strawberry cream cake on Midsummer, but that would have been too much for one person!
On Friday, which was Midsummer Eve, I drove to Laukaa. There is an inland harbor where they always have a big bonfire. I got there around 7 p.m. It was still quiet then. I sat on the grass with my dog in a spot where I knew I’d see the fire well.
Closer to 8 o’clock, more people arrived. A big group came near me: maybe 10 people, exchange students. One of them had a bag that showed they study at the University of Jyväskylä. I thought it was nice that they wanted to see this Finnish tradition.
At 8 p.m., the bonfire was lit. First, it burned slowly, and then it suddenly burst into big flames. About 200 people were there – families with kids, young people, and groups of adults. Everyone came just to see the fire. Some of the exchange students filmed the fire.
I watched the flames and the calm water around us. The sun was still shining, even though it was 8 p.m.
“This is summer,” I thought.