Midsummer

The Swedish begin their Midsummer celebration on the Friday before Midsummer Eve and continue through Sunday. Every town and village sets up a maypole, or Majstang, which is decorated with flowers, leaves, and flags. The Swedes call Midsommar "the day that never ends," because the sun doesn't begin to set until 10:00 p.m. and it rises again at 2:00 a.m. The sun shines brightly 24 hours a day for six weeks in areas of Norway and Sweden that lie above the Arctic Circle. Next to Christmas, Midsummer is the most celebrated event in Sweden.