Swedish Midsummer is a celebration that takes place on the Friday between June 19 and 25. It is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy traditional foods and dances.

Traditional Foods and Dances

The traditional Midsummer lunch features a smorgasbord of pickled herring and dill-seasoned new potatoes, smoked and cured salmon, cheese quiches, meatballs, and strawberry and whipped cream cake for dessert. The meal is washed down with shots of snaps, which are knocked back while singing traditional snaps songs.

Before sitting down to the Midsummer lunch, there is the obligatory dancing around the maypole. The maypole is decorated with birch leaves and wildflowers, and dancers sing and hold hands while dancing around it.

Celebrations Around the World

While Midsummer is a Swedish celebration, it is also celebrated in other countries with Swedish populations. In cities like London and New York, Midsummer parties are popular events that attract hundreds of people.

In these celebrations, people come together to enjoy traditional foods, dances, and music. The events are often informal and are a great way for people to connect with their Swedish heritage.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.