By Antonia Day Entertainment 18.06.2025

The Summer Solstice Is Here! How to Celebrate the Longest Day of the Year

If you’re a little bit woo-woo, don’t have a clue, or keen to learn something new, keep reading to find out how you can celebrate the upcoming solstice.

For over 6000 years, people across cultures have honoured the solstice – the day when the sun stands still. Ancient rituals ranged from bonfires that blazed through the night, to dancing in meadows, to harvesting herbs at their most potent moment. It usually involves midsummer revelry, earth magic, and staying up late to watch the skies.

These days, we’re less likely to be found gathering wild mugwort under the moonlight or building towering bonfires in a field – though if you do, at least send us an invite (or livestream it, depending on your persuasion).

But even without the fire and folklore, the summer solstice is a beautiful reason to pause, reconnect with nature, and celebrate life at its sunniest. Whether you’re spiritually invested or just spiritually adjacent, there’s a way to mark the occasion that’ll suit your style.

What is a solstice?

The word "solstice" comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). It marks the two pivotal points in the year when the sun appears to pause in the sky – once in June and once in December.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice falls between June 20–22, bringing the longest day and shortest night of the year. The sun rises early, sets late, and we’re gifted with maximum daylight. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the exact opposite – they’re welcoming winter.)

Whether you’re team sun worship or just wondering why the day feels suspiciously long, here are some ways to honour the solstice – no spiritual background required.

When it comes to the solstice, people’s interest and engagement levels fall on a scale. At one end we have the “woo-woo-ers”, who might spend each full moon charging their crystals, and mark the solstice in their calendar as an opportunity to celebrate and set intentions. At the other end, are the people who don’t have a clue any of this is going on. They might complain of getting a rough night’s sleep the evening before the full moon but wouldn’t dare blame it on that, and roll their eyes when they see a monthly horoscope article. And then there are the people in the middle – they know what’s going on, they are keen to know more, but don’t go out of their way to seek information.

No matter where you land on the solstice scale, we’ve got an array of ideas for you to say hello to the new season. So if you’re a little bit woo-woo, don’t have a clue, or keen to learn something new – keep reading to find out how you can celebrate this solstice.

Summer Solstice Rituals

Solstice celebration level: woo-woo

Build a nature altar

Gather flowers, crystals, herbs, seashells, fruit – anything that symbolises abundance and life – and build an altar on your windowsill, picnic blanket, or garden table. Bonus points for adding sun symbols, solar colours (think gold, yellow, and orange), and seasonal offerings like honey or lavender.

Watch the sunrise (or sunset)

Ancient stone circles like Stonehenge were built to align with the summer solstice sunrise. You don’t need a prehistoric monument to join in – just set your alarm, head to a lookout or beach, and greet the sun like the main character you are.

Make a floral crown

Crafting a flower crown might feel a little extra, but it’s a beautiful nod to midsummer traditions and a great way to honour the season’s lushness. Wear it during your solstice picnic or for your next dreamy Instagram post.

Solstice celebration level: hesitant, but intrigued

Have a picnic or garden dinner party

Celebrate the longest evening of the year with a summer feast. We're talking fresh fruit, herby salads, grilled veggies, icy drinks. Invite your favourite people, set up outside (fairy lights optional but encouraged), and toast to the season.

Harvest something – even if it’s just herbs

Solstice has long been associated with abundance. Even if you’re not a gardener, snip some rosemary, mint, or basil from a windowsill pot and make a tea, cocktail, or meal to honour the earth’s offerings.

Go screen-free for a few hours

Reconnect with nature – or at least yourself – by putting the phone down for a little while. Take a walk, lie in the grass, watch the clouds drift by. A mini digital detox to match the stillness of the sun.

Solstice celebration level: solstice sceptic

Light a candle

Even though it’s the brightest day of the year, lighting a candle at dusk can be a symbolic way to acknowledge the transition toward shorter days. Think of it as a tiny sun in your living room.

Make some summer goals

The solstice is a powerful seasonal reset. Take a few minutes to jot down what you want to embrace this summer – more rest? More fun? More time outside? Think of it as setting your summer vibe, not resolutions.

Take a cold shower or swim

Rather than soaking in a winter bath, embrace the heat with a cool dip. Jump in the ocean, a lake, or just your shower – it’s energising, mood-boosting, and wildly refreshing.