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The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. Solstice, which means “sun standing still,” occurs when the sun reaches the point furthest from the Earth’s equator. In the summer, that point is known as the Tropic of Cancer and is 23.5 degrees north of the celestial equator. This year, the summer solstice falls on June 20 (the Southern Hemisphere has to wait until December 21).
While many people consider the solstice the first day of summer, others are already in full swing. In some parts of the world, June 24 is known as “Midsummer,” a celebration of the season.
Midsummer originated in Nordic countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. While the first recorded instance of lighting festive fires dates back to the early 12th century, the custom is likely even older than that. The ceremonies were a way to honor the season, and early celebrants also used midsummer fires to ward off witches, dragons, and evil spirits.
Celebrations and traditions have continued over centuries and evolved into various ways to show appreciation. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has plenty of summer solstice and midsummer events to bring in the season in style. Here are ten of our favorites.
1. Attend a Litha ritual
For the most literal summer solstice enthusiast, Litha is the festival of Midsummer. This Pagan festival honors Mother Earth as stunning flowers bloom and abundant crops of fruit and vegetables grow. Put on “Earth-friendly” colors like blue, green, yellow, or purple, and bring a dish to enjoy a potluck with fellow Litha celebrants.
Date: 6/22, 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: 1641 West Hebron Pkwy, Carrollton, TX 75010
Cost: Free
2. Dance around a fire
If the summer heat isn’t enough, turn things up with this Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony. Bring lights or flow toys and dance like nobody’s watching. For an even more immersive experience, join the Lighting Your Internal Flame retreat, an interactive weekend welcoming in the new season.
Date: 6/20, 7-9 PM
Location: 2525 E Brand Rd, Garland, TX 75044
Cost: $35 or free if attending the Lighting Your Internal Flame retreat
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3. Get fancy for a Midsummer ball
Don your snazziest suit or most marvelous dress and head to the Dervish Club, which is hosting its third annual Midsummer Ball. There will be plenty of entertainment and dancing and an open bar with hors d’oeuvres. Attendees can also participate in a silent auction that benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Date: 6/27, 8 PM-midnight
Location: 2030 Main Street, 6th Floor, Dallas, TX 75201
Cost: $100-$125
4. Go back in time at a museum
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is hosting a night at the museum, though it won’t be as chaotic as the Night at the Museum movie franchise. Rather, this Midsummer Mingle is an homage to early-20th-century jazz, with 1920s-inspired costumes encouraged and lots of food, drinks, and entertainment. Tickets are free for Carter Society members.
Date: 6/26, 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Cost: Free for Carter Society members, $25 for non-members
5. Experience some sound healing
The summer solstice is a terrific time to appreciate your inner self. If you find that sort of reflection difficult, a sound bath may be the perfect helpful tool. The 4D Sound Healing: Solaris: Summer Edition is a multi-hour event designed to center your energy. Multiple sound healing professionals use crystal bowls, gongs, drums, didgeridoos, and other instruments to help attendees navigate their minds, bodies, and spirits.
Date: 6/15, 4-7 PM
Location: 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas, TX 75230
Cost: $40-$50
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6. Wander through a canyon
The Dogwood Canyon Audobon Center is throwing a summer solstice bash for animal and nature lovers, with plenty of activities and lawn games for adults and kids alike. A “Live Birds of Prey” show is the main draw, and hiking trails around the canyon provide gorgeous views, whether you opt for the guided version or head out on your own.
Date: 6/22, 6-9 PM
Location: 1206 West FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Cost: $10-$25, free for children 2 and under
7. Visit a local market
Supporting local businesses is always good, and Soar Creative’s Soul Sanctuary Market is bringing in the summer solstice with a plethora of local artisans, creators, vendors, and healers. This “magical event for your soul” has just about everything you can imagine. You’ll find tarot readers, face painting, sweet treats, art, clothing, giveaways, a flower bar, and a photo booth featuring those colorful flowers as a backdrop.
Date: 6/22, 12-4 PM
Location: 1337 Chemical St, Dallas, TX 75207
Cost: $7 for general attendance, $40 including a psychic reading
8. Run a 5K (or 10K or 15K)
The Freedom Runners is a group founded by runners for runners and aims to build fun and affordable small races for everyone, regardless of their ability level. The group is hosting a Summer Solstice 5K/10K/15K event in celebration of the longest days of the year. This event doesn’t include any shirts, but participants will get a nifty medal for finishing and can check out their results later that night alongside free photos of their race.
Date: 6/22, 8:30 AM
Location: 2001 University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Cost: $20-$35
9. Take in some Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a classic way to celebrate the summer solstice. The play includes a magical fairy, enchanting forest settings, and several laugh-out-loud moments (it’s a Shakespeare comedy, after all, not a tragedy). The Hip Pocket Theatre is putting on a dozen shows of the play across June and July weekends.
Date: Friday-Sunday from 6/14-7/7, 9 PM
Location: 1950 Silver Creek Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76108
Cost: $10-$25 plus service fees
10. Create your own backyard bash
Can’t decide which of these events to go to? Feel free to create your own! Invite some friends and family and have everyone bring something that reminds them of summer, like a particular food or activity. Consider a Litha custom like floral wreaths or an invisibility amulet for decor. Hosting this type of gathering is a creative way to learn more about those close to you, and who knows? You might find a new summer tradition.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
