Midsummer Eve 2028: date and countries

Dates by country

Midsummer Eve 2028 by country
Country	Date	Local name
Åland Islands	Fri 23 Jun	Juhannusaatto
Finland	Fri 23 Jun	Juhannusaatto
Latvia	Fri 23 Jun	Līgo diena

What is Midsummer Eve?

Midsummer Eve is the evening before Midsummer Day, and in the Nordic countries it is the heart of the festival. In Sweden, Midsommarafton is the day of dancing round the maypole, singing games and a long outdoor meal, and in Finland, Juhannusaatto is the start of a holiday weekend in which many people travel to the countryside to stay in summer cottages, light bonfires by the lake and go to the sauna. It is traditional in Sweden to pick seven different wildflowers and place them under the pillow, to dream of a future partner.

In Latvia, 23 June is Līgo evening, the first night of the Jāņi festival, with songs that repeat the word līgo, flower and oak wreaths, bonfires, and people staying awake until sunrise. In Åland, a large maypole is raised in many villages. For a short time, the northern night barely gets dark, and the long daylight is one of the things that gives the festival its special character. Many of these customs are about fertility and good luck. In Sweden and Finland, the evening also has a strong tradition of grilling, boating and bonfires near the water, and the roads out of the cities are crowded in the afternoon.

Why it is observed

The festivities around the solstice are among the oldest in northern Europe, and they were later associated with Saint John the Baptist, whose birth is celebrated on 24 June. In Sweden and Finland, Midsummer Eve is not always listed in law as a public holiday, but by long custom it is treated as one, and most workplaces close. Latvia's 23 June has been a public holiday since the restoration of independence, when the Jāņi tradition was fully revived. In the Nordic countries the practice of an extra day off on the eve developed over the twentieth century and became fixed in collective agreements.

How the date is set

The date depends on the country. In Sweden and Finland, Midsummer Eve is the Friday between 19 and 25 June, the day before Midsummer Day. In Latvia it is fixed on 23 June, the night of the Līgo festival.

How it is observed

Midsummer Eve in Sweden and Finland is treated as a de facto public holiday, so shops, banks and many offices close, and alcohol shops are shut. Cities empty out, and travellers should check transport schedules in advance. In Latvia, the holiday is official on 23 June. Many restaurants close, and trains and roads are very busy on the day before. Because the holiday status differs by country, entitlements to pay or time off depend on law, collective agreements and the contract. Check details each year. Local practice and the contract determine the details.

Questions

Good to know

When is Midsummer Eve in 2028?

Friday, 23 June 2028 in all 3 countries that observe it (Åland Islands, Finland, Latvia).

Which countries observe Midsummer Eve?

In our coverage: Åland Islands, Finland, Latvia. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is Midsummer Eve observed?

The festivities around the solstice are among the oldest in northern Europe, and they were later associated with Saint John the Baptist, whose birth is celebrated on 24 June. In Sweden and Finland, Midsummer Eve is not always listed in law as a public holiday, but by long custom it is treated as one, and most workplaces close. Latvia's 23 June has been a public holiday since the restoration of independence, when the Jāņi tradition was fully revived. In the Nordic countries the practice of an extra day off on the eve developed over the twentieth century and became fixed in collective agreements.

How is the date of Midsummer Eve set?

The date depends on the country. In Sweden and Finland, Midsummer Eve is the Friday between 19 and 25 June, the day before Midsummer Day. In Latvia it is fixed on 23 June, the night of the Līgo festival.