The weekend of 23 – 25th of June, Sweden celebrates their most beloved public holiday of them all – Midsummer. Wondering what to do? Check out this tips for Midsummer in Stockholm. 

Skansen – the ultimate Midsummer tradition venue
The open-air museum of Skansen has always been a great place for celebrating Midsummer. Skansen takes you back to Sweden’s history and invites you to learn all about the heritages and customs that the Swedes have. On Midsummer you can help raise the maypole, dance and play around it and enjoy some folk music. If you want a classic birch wreath, you can make one too. Skansen is open the whole weekend, for opening hours, check out their website.

Celebrate Midsummer with the local Swedes in a park or in the archipelago
All of the city, and even in its outskirts, public celebrations are taking place. In Vinterviken, 30 minutes from central stockholm, a traditional Midsummer celebration will take place. At 13.00 on June 23rd the maypole will be dressed and raised, and at 15.00 it’s time for dance. If you feel like exploring the archipelago and celebrate Midsummer, both Fjäderholmarna and Vaxholm offer public celebrations. Boats to both destination departs from Nybroviken or Strömkajen throughout the day.

Go dancing with the youngsters on Södra Teatern/Mosebacke
On the restaurant / club Södra Teatern, young and old are welcome to join the celebrations of Midsummer Eve on June 23rd. On the terrace of Mosebacke the dancing till take place with a DJ and drag-show artist. There will be food, dancing, playing and music with the best of views the city has to offer. If you want to try a classic Midsummer buffé you need to book a table, there are several seatings available. Mosebacke is located on Mosebacke Torg, close by metro station Slussen. Read more about Södra Teatern and find their opening hours here.

The Swedish weather is unreliable and constantly changing. Just because summer’s here, doesn’t mean all days with sunshine and heat. So, what do you do on a rainy day in Stockholm? See below!

Visit the centre for contemporary photography – Fotografiska
For it’s magnicifant view in the café, for great photography and exhibitons. This is the perfect day to discard a few hours of rain. The gift shop is amazing too!

Go bargain hunting at vintage shops around Södermalm
Stockholm, and especially city district Södermalm, is the perfect place to do some real catches! When it’s raining, you have all the time in the world to disappear into different vintage shops. Around the area of Södermalm you’ll, among others, find Stadsmissionen (Skånegatan 75), Judits (Hornsgatan 75) and Röda Korset (Hornsgatan 54).

Indulge in fika
Nothing is as comforting as a proper fika! On a rainy day, get cosy in one of the many cafés found in Stockholm. A few of the most popular ones in the city are Chokladkoppen (Stortorget 18), Wienercaféet (Biblioteksgatan 6-8) and Vetekatten (Kungsgatan 55). If chocolate is your favorite, check out Chokladfabriken (The Chocolate Factory) at Regerinsgatan 58 or Renstiernas gata 12.

On June 6th, the Swedes celebrate their National Day of Sweden. It has been celebrated as the official National Day of Sweden since 1983. 

June 6th has been through a lot of phases in Sweden. It’s believed to have been celebrated since the 1800s in some form – the day of June 6th was celebrated to honor the day Gustav Vasa was chosen as king. From 1916, the day was celebrated as “the Swedish Flag’s Day” – all the way up until 1983 when it got it’s current status. Since 2005 it’s a public holiday, meaning that most stores and offices are closed and the people free for the day.

If you’re in Stockholm during the public holiday that the National Day of Sweden is, here’s some things you can do to celebrate:

– Visit the open-air museum of Skansen. Skansen is probably the greatest place to celebrate the day. Even the King of Sweden comes to Skansen, at 19.00. Here you can learn about how Swedes used to live in the past, make your own flag and look at cool Nordic animals. The entrance fee to enter Skansen is SEK 180 for adults.

– Royal Opera in Hagaparken. In the lovely park of Hagaparken, located 10 minutes from the central Stockholm, the Royal Opera together with the Royal Court invites you to have picnic and celebrate the day in the green. At 14.00, a concert will be held with ballet. There will also be singalong and dancing! No entrance fee.

– Enjoy festivities in Humlegården. The city of Stockholm is offering a big program on the stage – there will be dancing, theatre and music for every age and taste. For the kids this day will be extra fun; they can enjoy a bouncy castle, carpentry, a drawing workshop, flag production and grilling sausages.

Summer in Stockholm means picnics! If you want to hang out with the locals, check out one of these parks during your visit in Stockholm.

Vitabergsparken
In the middle of Stockholm’s hipster area, head to Vitabergsparken on Södermalm, just by Nytorget. This park is crammed with residents having a beer, barbecuing and hanging out with friends. While you’re here, note the classical wooden houses in the park, and the church Sofia Kyrka. To go to Vitabergsparken, take the metro to Skanstull or Medborgarplatsen and walk 10 minutes.

Skeppsholmen
For being so close to the city center and all it’s attractions, the island of Skeppsholmen is surprisingly quiet. This little island is the home to Moderna Museet and the famous boat af Chapman, but it’s also great for picnics. Around the island are smaller green spots where you’ll most often sit alone of with a few others. The best thing about Skeppsholmen is the view over the water which are found from the whole island; watch over Gamla stan and Södermalm from one side and Östermalm and Djurgården from the other. To go to Skeppsholmen, walk from the city center or take the metro to Kungsträdgården.

Långholmen
Långholmen used to be the prison island, but now it’s a place for relaxation and bathing. Here you’ll find a beach, big cliffs and and a café and inn. A walk around the island is not longer than 3 kilometers, so why not go exploring before you choose where to sit down for a picnic? To go to Långholmen, take the metro to Hornstull and walk.

Hagaparken
Hagaparken is in many way a royal park; it’s the venue where our Swedish Princess Victoria lives with her family, and it’s grounds are huge. In Hagaparken, there’s much to do if you get bored during picnic; you can check out Haga Castle, have a fika at Koppartälten café, and of course go to The Butterfly House Haga Ocean. Here you’ll find one of Scandinavia’s largest shark aquariums, and walk around in the tropical closed environment where butterflies fly freely. To go to Hagaparken, take bus 515 from Odenplan.

Finally summer has come to Stockholm! Time to spend more time outside, eating, listening to music and enjoy all the events taking place in the city this time of year. Here’s three things you can do in Stockholm in June. 

See what Stockholm’s food scene has to offer at Smaka på Stockholm (A taste of Stockholm)
Smaka på Stockholm is one of the world’s biggest food festivals and it gathers both gastronomes and chefs to eat and talk about food.  From the 1st to 6th of June, Kungsträdgården will turn into a mecka for food. 13 of the best food trucks in the city will park here, as well as some of the best restaurants in Stockholm – Farang, Den Gyldene Freden, Burger & Lobster and Bun Meat Bun to mention a few. The opening hours are 11.00 – 23.00 all days except the 6th of June. No entrance fee, so what are you waiting for?

Zara Larsson at Gröna Lund
In only a few years, she has become one of Sweden’s most famous artists and music exports – of course we’re talking about the cool Zara Larsson! On the 1st of June, she’s taking over the stage at Stockholm’s one and only amusement park, Gröna Lund. Sing along to hits such as “Lush life” and “I would like” for only SEK 115 (before 18.00).