Midsummer Day in Latvia, known as Jāņi, is the peak of the summer solstice. It honors nature's vitality and fertility with bonfires, folk songs, wreaths, and feasts, symbolizing joy, renewal and Latvia's ancient traditions.

When is Midsummer Day?

Midsummer Day in Latvia is observed on June 24 every year.

The following is the list of Midsummer Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Midsummer Day?

Midsummer Day (Jāņi) is one of the oldest and most cherished Latvian festivals, dating back over two thousand years to pre-Christian times. It was originally a pagan celebration of the summer solstice, when the sun reached its highest point and daylight lasted the longest.

Ancient Latvians viewed this moment as the culmination of nature's power, a time when the earth, animals and humans were infused with fertility, vitality and harmony. The festival honored the sun goddess Saule and the god Jānis, protector of fertility and harvest, whose name later became synonymous with the celebration itself.

Jāņi symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, and many of its rituals are centered around ensuring prosperity, health, and fertility for the coming year.

With the arrival of Christianity in the 13th century, the Church sought to Christianize the solstice festival, renaming it after St. John the Baptist. Despite the new name and date alignment (June 24), the deeply rooted folk rituals and pagan symbolism endured. Over time, the Christian and pre-Christian elements merged, creating a uniquely Latvian blend of faith and folklore.

During the Soviet occupation (1940–1990), public celebration of Jāņi was discouraged or banned, as the festival represented Latvian national identity and independence. Despite official suppression, families continued to celebrate secretly. Jāņi thus became a symbol of quiet resistance, preserving cultural continuity during decades of foreign rule.

Following Latvia's restoration of independence in 1990, Jāņi was reinstated as a national holiday (June 24), alongside Līgo Vakars (June 23). The festival has since regained its full importance as a celebration of Latvian heritage, nature and national spirit.

Midsummer Day (Jāņi, June 24) in Latvia is an ancient solstice festival celebrating the sun, fertility and the power of nature. Blending pagan and Christian traditions, it remains the country's most vibrant cultural event.