This week, cities are gathering and celebrating the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice. Places around the world have their own traditions and special ways of kicking off the summer season.
Summer Solstice is the day when there is the most daylight and the highest sun is the highest at high noon. For most areas, summer solstice kicked off in the Northern Hemisphere on June 20 this year, but celebrations continue throughout the weekend to June 24. Usually Summer Solstice begins on June 21, but it was a day earlier this year since 2012 is a leap year.
Summer solstice celebrations have occurred since ancient times. Summer is a joyous time of year as everything is in bloom and the weather is warmer after long harsh winter weather conditions. This meant that crops were plentiful and people could enjoy large feasts again.
Ancient Swedes decorated a tree and danced around it. The Celts and Slavs celebrated summer with dancing and bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese celebrated by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.
However, today, places around the world celebrate the longest day of the year in their own ways.
Stonehenge, England
Every year, around 20,000 people gather at this mysterious, mythic area with strange standing rock formations. New Age Tribes (neo-druids, neo-pagans, Wiccans) come out with ordinary families, travelers and party people to watch the sunrise on this day. Drummers play rhythmic tunes while pagans dance at this celebration. People choose different ways to celebrate in the area. Some celebrate peacefully by leaning their heads against the stones in meditation, while others get rowdy as they hit the alcohol. On Thursday there wasn't too much sun to be seen as the festival got rained out.
Scandinavia
For those in Sweden, Summer Solstice is a national holiday, so it is a big deal. The celebrate the longest day of the year with their Midsummer Festival. To celebrate the day, people decorate their homes and come out to the festival that includes singing and dancing around maypoles and bonfires, feasting on traditional foods such as pickled herring, and guzzling down schnapps and beer. Having bonfires is also a big tradition in Norway. Tourists in Oslo are likely to find one near their hotel during Summer Solstice.
New York City, New York
This year, New Yorkers celebrated the Summer Solstice in a peaceful way-through yoga. Thousands came out to the busy area of Times Square on June 20 for the Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga party. Participants practiced the peaceful exercise in 90 degree outdoor heat, but they were given goodie bags, free yoga mats and more as they practiced their Sun Salutations during this Summer Solstice Celebration.
Los Angeles, California
Those in Los Angeles get to enjoy summery weather conditions year round, but Summer Solstice is still a special time. The city hosts several events. People can enjoy a pow-wow at the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center. In Santa Monica, people can gather around at the Summer SOULstice Festival which features cover and tribute bands as well as kid-friendly activities such as scavenger hunt and pony rides. Those neat Long Beach can stop by the Long Beach Woman Summer Solstice Faire which features musicians, dancing, speakers, healers, fortune tellers and vendors gather to honor the women at the event.
Santa Barbara, California
Throughout the weekend, those in Santa Barbara will be celebrating their Summer Solstice Celebrations with a parade and festival. During the three-day festival, thousands come out to watch the parade where marchers were colorful costumes and dance and then they enjoy theatrical and musical performances at the festival. There is also a festival just for children.
Alaska
Those in Alaska know how bad winters can get, so they rejoice during the summer season. Several Summer Solstice celebrations take place in the state of Alaska. The Moose's Tooth Brewing company holds a Summer Solstice show, which is a big party featuring multiple musical acts. Anchorage hosts an annual Summer Solstice Festival in Downtown Anchorage where they have games, a skateboarding expo, an obstacle course, and more for the locals to enjoy. Also in Anchorage, people from all over the world participate in the Midnight Sun Marathon run.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
