New York
Midsummr. Photo: © Jörgen Bennicke/LINKImage

Facts

On the Friday closest to the actual summer solstice, Swedes celebrate Midsummer's Eve, rejoicing in the light of the sun and arrival of summer.  This major holiday is usually celebrated in the heart of nature, as Swedes head out to the countryside to enjoy food, drink, games, dancing and general revelry.
Evenemang / Events

Swedish Midsummer Festival in Battery Park

On Friday, June 24, the annual Swedish Midsummer Festival will take place in Battery Park City on the southern tip of Manhattan. At this unique celebration, adults and children come together to picnick in the grass, decorate the midsummer pole, make flower wreaths, play traditional games and dance to authentic fiddle music.

The program will open with songs by Sound of Sweden Choir, directed by David Johansson. Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Barnklubben Elsa Rix, and the Swedish Folkdancers of New York will provide traditional music and folk dancing. Gunnar and Lena Iggendal, leaders of the Stockholm’s Spelmanslag, will also join the musicians this year. Master of ceremonies and dance caller is Ross Sutter, professional folk musician and Swedish heritage historian.

Food stands will offer delicacies from some of New York's finest Swedish restaurants, including White Slab Palace, AQ Café and Smorgås Chef. Another confirmed restaurant is Gigino’s in Wagner Park. 

The Swedish Midsummer Festival is presented by Battery Park City Parks Conservancy and co-hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden in New York. Sponsors include Ambassador and Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson Jr., SEB, Volvo Group North America, Handelsbanken and Investor AB.

Swedish Midsummer Festival
Friday, June 24, 5-8 pm
Robert F. Wagner Park
Battery Park City in lower Manhattan
Rain or shine

> See directions at the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy website: www.bpcparks.org

> See photo slideshow from last year's celebration in Related files on bottom right of this page or on the Consulate's Flickr page: www.flickr.com/swedennewyork

Consulate General of Sweden in New York does not organize or sponsor any Midsummer event other than the celebration in Battery Park City.
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