A traditional observance in Sweden, Midsummer Night is the shortest night of the year when many party-goers stay awake at night until dawn.

Scandinavia’s long dark winters make the arrival of summer a big deal throughout Nordic countries. In Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve is one of the most important days of the year, rivaling Christmas. It is traditionally celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, although it has its roots dating back earlier than the Church. Rather than trying to stamp out such pagan festivals, the early Catholic Church found it useful to co-opt them by associating them with Christian celebrations.

In 1952, the Swedish Parliament decided that Midsummer should always be celebrated on a weekend. Today, the observance of Midsummer Night now varies between June 20 and 26.

At Midsummer, many begin their five-week annual holidays by celebrating Midsummer Eve in the countryside. It is said that the “sun never sets” because it is the longest day of the year.