No celebration brings otherwise reserved Swedes out of their shells more than the summer solstice festival of Midsummer. While its roots are pagan, Midsummer is celebrated by all classes of society. You’ll find folks wearing handmade wildflower wreaths on their heads, dancing and hopping around the maypole (majstång) decorated with flowers and greens, and singing traditional Swedish folk songs. Along with dancing and singing, locals also dig into hearty smörgåsbord, which include various flavors of pickled herring (sill), cured salmon, yellow almond-shaped potatoes, and a wide range of alcoholic snaps and aquavits to loosen up the nerves and get people into celebratory spirits.
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Midsummer at Skansen
No celebration brings otherwise reserved Swedes out of their shells more than the summer solstice festival of Midsummer. While its roots are pagan, Midsummer is celebrated by all classes of society. You’ll find folks wearing handmade wildflower wreaths on their heads, dancing and hopping around the maypole (majstång) decorated with flowers and greens, and singing traditional Swedish folk songs. Along with dancing and singing, locals also dig into hearty smörgåsbord, which include various flavors of pickled herring (sill), cured salmon, yellow almond-shaped potatoes, and a wide range of alcoholic snaps and aquavits to loosen up the nerves and get people into celebratory spirits.
