Summer is a magical season. The long sunlight, the hot days, the warm nights, the greenery everywhere — the world seems to buzz with energy and possibility. The season officially kicks off on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. 

It’s easy to miss — don’t pay attention (or read an almanac) and you’ll never realize that, starting in mid to late June, the sunlight has peaked. Days get shorter from here on out. 

Humans have known about and celebrated solar events like solstices and equinoxes for millennia — since before recorded history. But in our fast-paced, technological world, we sometimes hardly pay attention to the comings and goings of nature. “Solstice reminds me that the Earth gives in abundance to all without reservation or hesitation,” says Jill Brown, a certified evolutionary astrologer and owner of Eight Stars Astrology.

This year, the solstice falls on Friday, June 20, 2025. So we invite you to bring intentionality to the solstice this year by celebrating it — you’ll find our favorite ways to celebrate the summer solstice below, from swimming and potlucking to meditating and gardening.

So, what exactly is the summer solstice?

Occurring yearly for the northern hemisphere on either June 20, 21, or 22, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year. (The southern hemisphere’s summer solstice is in December — the north’s winter solstice.) Because the Earth’s axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the summer solstice happens when the northern hemisphere is tilted all the way towards the sun, giving us the longest day and the shortest night of the year. 

In the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets below the horizon on the summer solstice — while the Antarctic Circle experiences a full day with no sunrise. And even in Earth’s more inhabited latitudes, folks can experience 20 or more hours of daylight around the solstice. “Living in Alaska, we’re mindful that the solstice is bittersweet,” says Brown, since it represents both maximum light and the beginning of the shortening of the days.

This constant shifting of which parts of the Earth tilt nearest the sun gives us the seasons. After the summer solstice, known as Litha in the pagan community, the days continue to shorten until the winter solstice. “This is a time to make the most of all that golden joy while it is still here,” says Jennifer Lane, author of “The Wheel: The Witch’s Path Back to the Ancient Self.”

Historically, how have people celebrated the summer solstice?

Monuments like Chichén Itzá in Mexico, Stonehenge in the UK, and Hagar Qim in Malta indicate that humans have been honoring the astronomical seasons for thousands of years. Cultures around the world have developed and celebrated their own solstice traditions for millennia, connecting with nature and with the cosmos.

“Midsummer” refers to the various summer solstice traditions and festivals of European origin. You probably know the customary imagery here — flowers, greenery, and bonfires. In European pagan cultures of Neolithic times, lighting solstice bonfires could ensure a healthy harvest later in the year, while jumping over the fires could bring you health, luck, and protection. In Sweden, customary midsummer celebrations involve dancing around a maypole, wearing flower crowns and traditional garb like long, cotton dresses, and playing outdoor lawn games.

In ancient Greece, the summer solstice marked the first day of the calendar year and the one-month countdown to the Olympics. In ancient Rome, the Vestalia celebration honored the goddess of the hearth and took place around the solstice. Celebrations in ancient China included harvest rituals and ancestral worship ceremonies, while some Native American tribes performed solstice rituals like the ceremonial sun dance of the Sioux.

Today, many cultures still honor the solstice. In China, you’ll often find dragon boat racing, and in Spain, the ever-burning Canigó Flame is used to light bonfires throughout Catalonia. You can even stay up all night with the midnight sun by playing the Arctic Open golf tournament in Iceland or watching the Midnight Sun Baseball Game in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Why should you celebrate the summer solstice?

Honoring this season is for everyone, whether you’re looking to connect to ancestors who celebrated solar rituals or to bring more mindfulness into your day-to-day. Seasonal benefits are rooted in our physical health, too — according to research, our circadian rhythms make us seasonal creatures, perceptive to changes in sunlight.

“More and more, we are becoming disconnected from the rituals and structures of our past, living fast-paced lives that lead to social isolation,” says Lane. “Practicing rituals that tie us to the land and the elements, allows us to tune in to a more ancient part of ourselves that feels most at ease in the wild earth and in community with others.”

How to celebrate the summer solstice:

Whether you have 20 minutes or all day, below are a few suggestions on how to celebrate the summer solstice this year in whatever way feels right to you. 

  1. Decorate your space.

Because this holiday is all about light and blooming, find ways to infuse your space with brightness and nature. Decorate with bunches of freshly picked flowers — bonus points if they’re sourced locally from a farmers’ market or even your own backyard. Now’s a great time of year to pick up a new potted plant, as indoor plants thrive with the extra sunlight (it’s also a great time to repot the ones you have if they need it). 

If you’re feeling DIY-ish, grab some sticks and yellow yarn and try your hand at making sun wheels. And if you have an altar space, deck it out for Litha with seasonal items like white or yellow altar cloths and candles, gold jewellery, stones like carnelian, amber, and sunstone, and mirrors to reflect the sun, says Lane.

  1. Host a dinner party.

For Brown, the best solstice celebrations are the ones that “curate heart-centered gatherings calling together friends and neighbors to enjoy the bounty of life’s greatest gifts.” To that end, hosting a dinner party with your nearest and dearest is one of the most meaningful (and fun!) ways to get solstice-y. “Litha is a particularly sociable festival,” says Lane.

Cook foods with ingredients in season wherever you live — or, better yet, host a potluck where everyone brings their favorite dish. “For some, it’s fresh, local-caught salmon. For others, it’s ripe local berries. For others, it’s a favorite wine or dessert,” says Brown, who loves ending up with a diverse potluck table curated by her loved ones.

  1. Bask in the sun.

Enjoy the sun on your skin, says Brown. Whether it’s having your morning coffee outside, going for a walk or hike, heading to the park or beach for an afternoon of lying out, or meditating in the sun, appreciate the rays this solstice (or near the solstice if yours is rainy). Just don’t forget sunscreen.

  1. Take a swim.

If you’re fortunate enough to have access to a swimmable body of water, take advantage. Dipping in the ocean, a lake, or a river will immerse you in nature and ground you in this new season. And if you have a pool (or a friend’s pool!), that works, too!

  1. Go on a picnic.

Grab some seasonal fruits and your favorite snacks, something tasty to drink, and the next book on your TBR list and head out for a picnic in your local park or recreation area (or even your backyard). Invite friends for a fun solstice gathering — or don’t, and have a quiet afternoon of enjoying the season with your own company. Pro tip: Combine picnicking with swimming and basking!

  1. Work in the garden.

If you have a garden, get hands-on with a few hours of weeding, planting, watering, and trimming. And if you don’t have a garden, this is your sign to start one — even if you have a small space that’s only suitable for a pot or two, or an indoor herb garden. Or, look into community gardens in your area where you can cultivate your own plot or contribute to the collective harvest. The health benefits of gardening are many.

Another seasonal way to get your hands dirty? Go to a local farm for pick-your-own fruit like cherries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, or raspberries.

  1. Have a bonfire.

As noted above, bonfires are an age-old way to celebrate the solstice. Host a bonfire in your backyard or at a (sanctioned) local beach and invite friends to socialize, honor the season, and enjoy life’s greatest gifts, says Brown: “food, friendship, health, and the bounty of mother nature.”

Do you have plans for celebrating the solstice? Let us know how you’re embracing the long light and the start of the new season in the comments. ☀️

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the top sustainable home, wellness, fashion, and beauty products, sharing her honest opinion on the best finds. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!