Midsummer Day
Longest daylight holiday
Midsummer Day is June 24th, a date near the summer solstice celebrated in many cultures with festivals, bonfires, and rituals.
In England it marks one of the quarter days when rents and contracts traditionally came due.
The eve before—Midsummer Night—figures prominently in folklore and Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Maximum daylight occurrence
- sunriseMorning light's arrival
- sunsetDay yielding to darkness
- solarOf the star
- calendarDate-tracking system
astronomy · twilight · dawn · dusk · zenith · noon · midnight sun · tropic
Large outdoor fire
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- maypoleTall ribbon-wrapped post
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
music · revelry · gathering · picnic · merriment · gala · fete · pageant
Inherited cultural narratives
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- flower crownsHeadwear made from blossoms
- garlandsStrung decorative arrangements
- herbal remediesPlant-based medicinal preparations
superstitions · pagan customs · fertility rites · communal feast · dancing · blessings · village green · handfasting
longest day
Maximum daylight occurrence
calendar · astronomy · twilight · dawn · dusk · zenith · noon · midnight sun · tropic · celestial
bonfire
Large outdoor fire
dance · music · revelry · gathering · picnic · merriment · gala · fete · pageant · fireworks
folklore
Inherited cultural narratives
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- flower crownsHeadwear made from blossoms
- garlandsStrung decorative arrangements
herbal remedies · superstitions · pagan customs · fertility rites · communal feast · dancing · blessings · village green · handfasting · Stonehenge
- holidaysChristmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine's Day
- Quarter DaysMichaelmas, Christmas, Christmas Day
Midsummer Daywinter solstice
Shortest day, longest night
December solstice · shortest day · Christmas · vernal equinox · autumnal equinox
Midsummer Daydead of winter
Coldest part of year
Christmas · winter holidays · Candlemas · January · February
Midsummer Daylongest night
Maximum darkness period yearly
winter solstice · Saturnalia · December solstice · polar night
midsummer, midwinter, middle, midst, summer, summers, summery, summertime, daylight