10 Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

There is something magical about the Summer Solstice. The longest day of sunshine in North America embodies so many wonderful things to celebrate- nature’s vitality, life abundant, the intoxicating enchantment of summer dusks and nights. Many cultures celebrate the holiday of ‘MidSummer’ with its own traditions and lore. Here we showcase some of the many ways to honor this celestial holiday.

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1 | Yoga At Sunrise

Woman practicing yoga indoors, sitting cross-legged on a mat with hands in a prayer position and eyes closed. Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating a cozy room with a stone fireplace and candle holders.
Woman practicing yoga indoors, sitting cross-legged on a mat with hands in a prayer position and eyes closed. Sunlight streams through a window, illuminating a cozy room with a stone fireplace and candle holders.

Wake up early to catch the sunrise, practicing sun salutations in the best of the morning light.

If you are new to yoga or want a refresh- here is a free 15-minute guided session.

2 | A Walk in Nature

A dirt trail winding through lush green trees and bushes in a wooded area.
A dirt trail winding through lush green trees and bushes in a wooded area.

Go for a walk outside, even better in a park or nearby local woods.

If up for #3- gather wild flowers, grasses and foliage, even weeds and dandelions while you walk. They can make a lovely simple floral bouquet also. If you see Sumac- take note of Activity 4 below!

3 | Make a Floral Crown

A floral crown made of pink flowers and green leaves placed on top of a weathered tree stump
A floral crown made of pink flowers and green leaves placed on top of a weathered tree stump
Various sprigs of greenery and flowers placed on a textured white surface.
Various sprigs of greenery and flowers placed on a textured white surface.
Arrangement of various flowers and greenery on a white paper towel on a wooden table, with floral supplies such as floral tape, wire, wire cutter
Arrangement of various flowers and greenery on a white paper towel on a wooden table, with floral supplies such as floral tape, wire, wire cutter

Use the wild flowers, grasses and foliage, or flowers from your landscape to and make a floral crown.

Supplies:

  • Wild flowers & foliage of choice

  • Floral tape

  • Floral wire

  • Wire cutter

Instructions:

  • To add a sturdiness for easy removing and moving around, it can be helpful to create a few loops of the wire the size you want the crown to be, twisting the end around the wire itself. Twist the pieces together to form a stronger braid.

  • Use the floral tape to create bunches of buds or stems (like a boutonniere).

  • Tie the bunches to the wire loop using small pieces of wire.

  • Check the size of the loop before making it too big to ensure it will sit comfortably on the crown.

4 | Make Fresh Lemonade or Limeade

A wooden table with fresh lemons, a glass of lemonade, and lemon slices, set against a bright kitchen background.

Freshly squeezed lemonade and Limeade are made the same way with a simple recipe below.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 Lemons or limes

  • 1 cup Granulated sugar

  • 6 cups Water

Instructions:

  • Make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Heat on medium-low until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat for 10 minutes.

  • Cut and squeeze the lemons/limes into a pitcher.

  • Add the simple syrup and the remaining water. Pour over ice if enjoying immediately.

Cluster of sumac in a bowl

5 | Try making Sumac Ade

Sumac Ade, also known by Sumac Punch, is a tangy, refreshing summer drink similar using foraged sumac berries. It’s been made for generations, originating with Native American tribes who used Sumac for Vitamin C-rich drink, medicine, and flavoring.

This recipe uses Staghorn Sumac- the kind found in backyards with the fuzzy red berries. There are other varieties of Sumac, some of which are poisonous. Avoid anything white or light green.

Ingredients/Supplies:

  • 5-10 Large Staghorn Sumac clusters

  • 5 cups Water

  • Granulated sugar (as suits your sweetness preference)

  • Cheesecloth

  • Sumac powder as alternate to fresh Sumac

Instructions:

  • Pick Sumac bunches (called drupes)

  • In a large bowl or large Ziplock bag, submerge Sumac in cool water. Crush and separate the berries underwater (don’t rinse them off beforehand in running water as this will remove much of the flavor).

  • Soak for at least a few hours- up to a couple days. The duration will impact the flavor with more steeping = stronger.

  • Strain the extract through the cheesecloth

  • Sweeten to tase

  • Serve over ice

If access to fresh Sumac is not an option, Sumac powder can also be used, for a quicker process.

  • Steep the powder (1-2 Tablespoons/quart) in cold water with a fine mesh strainer

  • Strain a second time with coffee filter

  • Sweeten with sugar and pour over ice

6 | Pack a Picnic

Picnic scene on a blue and white patterned blanket on grass with a wicker picnic basket, glass bottle of water, small glass, bread rolls, and a person holding a spoon and piece of bread.
Picnic scene on a blue and white patterned blanket on grass with a wicker picnic basket, glass bottle of water, small glass, bread rolls, and a person holding a spoon and piece of bread.

7 | Harvest the Fruits of the Summer

Green plastic baskets filled with red cherries and raspberries in a cardboard box outdoors on a sunny day.
Green plastic baskets filled with red cherries and raspberries in a cardboard box outdoors on a sunny day.

Depending on where you live, late June could mean peak season for strawberries, raspberries, or even blueberry or blackberries. There’s nothing quite like visiting a local pick-your-own farm and hand harvesting the summer’s bounty. Sure- it may cost as much as going to the grocery store- but it’s the experience of being out in nature- and the reward is sure to be much riper and better tasting.

Tip: Call ahead once you find a place to ask what’s in season and ensure there’s good picking that week/day, and bring a basket or buckets you have around the house to transport your treasure back home.

8 | Create an ethereal backyard

A backyard scene at dusk with tall trees, hanging lantern lights
A backyard scene at dusk with tall trees, hanging lantern lights
Tree trunk decorated with yellow fairy lights, with a backyard fence and trees in the evening background.
Tree trunk decorated with yellow fairy lights, with a backyard fence and trees in the evening background.
Outdoor backyard scene at dusk with string lights hanging between trees, a park bench, potted plants, and dense trees in the background.
Outdoor backyard scene at dusk with string lights hanging between trees, a park bench, potted plants, and dense trees in the background.
A latex globe lantern with a solar-powered bulb hanging inside.
A latex globe lantern with a solar-powered bulb hanging inside.
Glass jar containing battery operated string lights and decorative moss at evening
Glass jar containing battery operated string lights and decorative moss at evening

Channel the magic of Lightning Bugs and create an magic space that feels like it’s straight out of a Midsummer Night’s dream, complete with fairy lights, hanging lanterns, and path-lit luminaria. Using solar-powered lighting and being creative, you can create a permanent ensemble that can stay up all summer and fall.

I’ve done the research, and while there’s not a quality solution off-the-shelf for the Chinese lanterns, you can absolutely create your own system that looks great and will last. Hook solar-powered individual lights inside nylon, waterproof lanterns and you have a magical combination. Just be sure the solar panel is near enough to the top of the lantern to get good sunlight exposure.

Supplies:

Instructions:

  • Assemble the individual LED bulbs inside of the lanterns (1 bulb/lantern)

  • Hang lanterns where desired, either on a natural hook or branch, or use fishing wire to extend from a higher location.

9 | Have a bonfire

A campfire with logs burning, surrounded by rocks in a grassy area at night with people standing nearby.
A campfire with logs burning, surrounded by rocks in a grassy area at night with people standing nearby.

Bonfires have a central place in celebrations of ‘MidSummer’ celebrated across many cultures across the globe. In Nordic lore, the bigger the bonfire the more your crops were protected against bad spirits. Invite friends over or enjoy with your family to protect the many blessings in your life, and enjoy the warm embrace of the fires against cooling blue fading and lavender sky.

10 | Watch an outdoor movie

Person relaxing on a sofa next to a lit fire pit outdoors at night with laptop on their lap, next to a with a trimmed tree and a patio with outdoor furniture.
Person relaxing on a sofa next to a lit fire pit outdoors at night with laptop on their lap, next to a with a trimmed tree and a patio with outdoor furniture.
An outdoor evening scene with a wooden shed decorated with string lights, a wall-mounted TV displaying three people in a cozy setting, a sitting area with a cushioned sectional sofa, a fire pit, a stack of firewood, and a tree in the background with a darkening sky.
An outdoor evening scene with a wooden shed decorated with string lights, a wall-mounted TV displaying three people in a cozy setting, a sitting area with a cushioned sectional sofa, a fire pit, a stack of firewood, and a tree in the background with a darkening sky.

Watch a great story from your enchanted garden, or around the bonfire. Here are a couple classic and nostalgic storylines that invoke the intangible sweetness of summer.

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)

  • The Secret Garden (1993)

  • Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Or if looking for something less Shakespearean but summer magical in a different way:

  • Dirty Dancing (1987)

  • Stand by Me (1986)

  • Now and Then (1995)

For a quick set-up and a small group (like just you or the family)- you could bring out a laptop + blue tooth speaker.

For easier view, hosting a larger group, or wanting a season-long solution, another option is actually mounting a TV in your outdoor space. We did this with an older tv that we weren’t using, and it’s been going strong for 6 summer/falls now- even in Minnesota where there’s plenty humidity. Just make sure it’s mounted under an alcove or something to prevent direct rain and weather.

You can buy water-proof tvs but they’re wildly expensive in the thousands of dollars. For an older non-smart tv- you’ll need a Firestick or Roku (turns your tv into a smart tv), but more modern tvs just need a wifi signal, which is usually plenty strong from your router. If you have a large backyard and the entertaining space is a ways away, you might benefit from a wifi booster. All in all, it’s still a very affordable solution for great outdoor viewings.

Supplies:

  • Bluetooth speaker

  • Option A) Laptop

  • Option B)

    • TV

    • Adjustable tv mount

    • Roku or Firestick (only if not a smart-tv)

    • Wifi booster (only if needed)

Go out and enjoy the longest day of the year from dawn to dusk!

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