Sankt Hans; Danish Midsummer

Sankt Hans – 23 of June

Sankt Hans is a Danish Midsummer celebrated on the evening of 23 June. Every year, in every city there are bonfires on beaches and in parks.  They are accompanied by concerts, speeches, and picnics – however this year is special due to Covid19.

Midsummer has been celebrated since the times of the Vikings by lighting up a large bonfire to ward away evil spirits. In the 1920s, the tradition of putting a witch made of straw and cloth on the bonfire emerged as a remembrance of the church’s witch burnings from 1540 to 1693. This burning sends the “witch” away to Bloksbjerg, the mountain Brocken in Germany, where the great witch gathering was thought to be held on this day.

Usually most neighborhoods have their own events, which are open to everyone. Very often it’s on the beach, by a lake or in the local park, like for example Tivoli or Frederiksberg Have or Bakken, however this year many Sankt Hans events are sadly cancelled due to corona.

We hope you have a great Midsummer and a nice Sankt Hans with your family and close friends!