Summer Solstice Celebration
On Saturday, June 14th, Poulsbo Leikarringen, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway and their Vikings invite you to experience a traditional Scandinavian Midsommar celebration.
Hosted at the picturesque Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park in downtown Poulsbo, this event offers two distinctive celebrations: an afternoon festival rooted in Swedish Midsommar traditions, culminating in the raising of a maistang (midsummer pole), and an evening bonfire inspired by the Norwegian observance of Midtsommer and St. Hans Eve.
Midsommar festivities in Poulsbo began in 1981, when the Skandia Folkdance Society relocated their event from Gig Harbor to Poulsbo’s Frank Raab Park. After Skandia’s move to St. Edwards State Park in the early 2000s, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway proudly took up the tradition, bringing it closer to the heart of their community. For over two decades, the Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park has been home to Poulsbo’s beloved Midsommar celebrations. Today, the festivities are organized by Poulsbo Leikarringen and the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings.
These cherished traditions reflect the spirit of Scandinavian villages, now shared with the Pacific Northwest.
What makes Poulsbo’s celebration unique is its harmonious blend of two distinct interpretations of the summer solstice:
● Swedish Midsommar: In Sweden, Midsommar is a national holiday celebrated on a Saturday between June 20th and June 26th. Villages, towns, and cities across Sweden adorn and raise maistang—large poles decorated with greenery and flowers—symbolizing spring, life, warmth, and beauty. Dancing around the pole, singing traditional songs, and wearing flower crowns are central to the celebration. In keeping with these time honored traditions, Poulsbo Leikarringen will host an afternoon Midsommar pole raising, complete with live Scandinavian folk music, flower crown making, and traditional performances by Leikarringen’s talented youth dancers.
● Norwegian Midtsommer: In Norway, Midtsommer is celebrated on June 23rd, known as Sankthansaften (St. Hans Eve), the evening before the feast day of John the Baptist. This tradition blends pre-Christian pagan customs with Christian influences, most famously marked by large bonfires near beaches or water. Once linked to mystical and superstitious practices, today’s celebrations are primarily secular, offering a festive way to welcome the summer solstice. In Poulsbo, the Sons of Norway Vikings bring this tradition to life with a spectacular bonfire on the shores of Liberty Bay, lighting up the evening sky and honoring the longest day of the year.
Event highlights:
10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Free flower crown-making, live music, and dance performances.
1:00 pm: Maistang raising, inviting audience participation in dancing and singing.
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Folk dance performances by Poulsbo Leikarringen youth dancers.
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Continued live music performances.
7:00 pm (Dusk): Viking Bonfire
This event is proudly coordinated by Kristina Halvorson, President of Poulsbo Leikarringen, with evening bonfire leadership by the Poulsbo Vikings.
About Poulsbo Leikarringen Poulsbo Leikarringen is dedicated to preserving and sharing Scandinavian heritage through traditional folk dance, music, and community events.
About Poulsbo Sons of Norway Poulsbo Sons of Norway is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving Norwegian heritage, fostering community, and celebrating Nordic connections.
Celebrate Midsommar in Poulsbo and experience vibrant Scandinavian culture with friends and family. Admission is free!