Midsummer, also called Feast of Saint John the Baptist, Summer Solstice, St. John’s Feast Day or Joninės, Kupolės, Rasos in Lithuanian, is one of the oldest traditional festivities held in many countries and centred upon the summer solstice.

In Lithuania, the summer solstice and the bloom of nature have been celebrated for hundreds of years. It’s one of the oldest and one of the most mysterious and lively holidays anticipated by Lithuanians.

The history of the festivity surpasses the Christianization of our country. This is why the fest has several names – St. John’s Feast Day or Joninės is the newest one.

It’s believed you can change your destiny and fulfil your most secret wishes if you follow the traditions and find the fern blossom (which does not exist… or does it?). Well, a big bonfire and dancing till the sun comes up are mandatory despite everything.

June 24 is a public holiday in our country, so the feast is held on the evening of June 23, the shortest (or one of the shortest) night of the year. In 2021, June 23 is a Wednesday. This means many Lithuanians have also planned a day off on Friday to make it a super long weekend. Have a kaunastic one – here are some event recommendations for June 23.

Making a wreath. Photo by Kaunas Fortress Park.

The official party thrown by the city will be held in Santakos park. Starting at 7:30 pm, folk collectives, including singers of the magic Lithuanian tradition sutartinės, will perform. Later on, modern pop stars Linas Adomaitis, and Donatas Montvydas will join the party, followed by fireworks. (Event link – in Lithuanian)

For a nature-meets-urbanism experience, head to Nemunas island. In the Pakrantė event area, you chillax and meet the shortest night of the year with the cult classics of Lithuanian pop-rock music, band “Rondo”, and a huge bonfire. Even if you don’t know the lyrics, the vibe will make you sing along and dance all night! (Event link–in Lithuanian)

The Kaunas City Museum Folk Music Branch has a magnificent courtyard surrounded by Gothic red masonry. Together with the yard’s bar Folkas, the museum offers everyone to learn traditional crafts and discover folk instruments and listen to contemporized traditional music and try the Rasos-special Folkas menu. (Event link – in Lithuanian)

Rasos in Folkas, 2020. Photo by Folkas

The 3rd Fort of the 19th-century Kaunas Fortress has been revived by the local community and serves as an excellent example of fortification and a place to be together and create new traditions. Celebrating Joninės here is one of them. On June 23, you’ll be invited to conquer an obstacle path, and then, of course, find the fern blossom, make a wreath and sail it away, put together a bonfire, dance with a live folk music band and… find that fern blossom, perhaps? (Event link – in Lithuanian)

Joninės in the 3rd Fort in 2019. Photo by Kaunas Fortress Park

Yet another party in a former Kaunas Fortress structure! What used to be a gunpowder warehouse today is PARAKAS, a community space for the people of Šančiai neighbourhoods and their friends. Joninės will be celebrated here for the fourth year in a row – it is yet another revived tradition. The French singer and dancer living in Kaunas, Clara Giambino, will present her fantastic programme, followed by other music and DJ performances. You’ll be able to learn various crafts and even try archery. A bonfire and fireworks? Of course. (Event link – in Lithuanian)

Joninės in Parakas in 2019. Photo by Parakas

P.S. One of our favourite local brands, Native.lt, has just launched a Joninės-special tablecloth line! We’ve ordered ours.

Photo by Native.lt