The Feast of Saint John closely coincides with the June solstice, also referred to as Midsummer in the Northern hemisphere.

The Christian holy day is fixed at 24th June; but in most countries festivities are mostly held the night before, on Saint John's Eve.

Top 10 facts about Midsummer

Midsummer solstice is a tradition from ancient times.
The summer solstice was considered the most important event of the solar year in ancient times. Fire was celebrated on this day as the symbol of abundance, purity and fertility and to this day fire and fireworks are one of the central elements in the Festival of Sant Joan with fireworks and bonfires illluminating the skies

In honor of the abundance of daylight and sunshine, communities have long used bonfires, music, dancing, and outdoor festivals as traditional features of both religious rituals and secular celebrations.

In some rural parts of Ireland, particularly in the north-west, Bonfire Night is held on St. John's Eve, when bonfires are lit on hilltops.Many towns and cities have "Midsummer Carnivals", with fairs, concerts and fireworks, around the same time.

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Traditionally, women collect several species of plants on St. John's eve. These vary from area to area, but mostly include fennel, rosemary, lemon verbena...

Midsummer celebration in Sweden. The tradition is that you wear white and put a midsummer wreath made of different type of colored flowers in your hair and on the tables etc.

The traditional midsummer party in Spain is the celebration in honour of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) and takes place on the evening of June 23rd. Bonfires are lit and a set of firework displays usually takes place.

On the Mediterranean coast, especially in Catalonia and Valencian Community, special foods, such as Coca de Sant Joan, are also served on this occasion.
The summer solstice is celebrated in full vigour in the Valencia community and this celebration is known as the Fiesta de San Juan.

On the longest day of the year, the beach is dotted with bonfires and the skies are lit up with dazzling fireworks. It is said that the fires would give more strength to the sun, which loses energy after the summer solstice. The best places in the Valencia region to join in the celebrations are in Alicante, Denia, Torrevieja and Benidorm where giant figures are set on fire along the beach.