June 21 - First Day of Summer AND White Nights Festival

Posted on June 21, 2021

Key Points

This is an update of my post published on June 21, 2010:

First Day of Summer—Northern Hemisphere

In the north, this is the longest day of the year. It used to be called Midsummer Day, and ancient European celebrations centered around fire: bonfires lit in rings and parades with torches.

There are also a certain number of ribbon-and-flower decorated poles or wreaths!

White Nights Festival – Russia

Centered on the city of St. Petersburg (AKA Petrograd, Leningrad, and Piter), this is a several-month-long arts festival that features classical opera, ballet, and music performances and other events.

The Festival is called “White Nights” because it is held in midsummer, when the sun barely sets and the skies hardly darken. The most popular event is called Scarlet Sails. This fireworks production celebrates the end of the school year in June. Enjoy!