The time when ancient celebrants welcomed the return of sunlight, fertility, life, and the potential for a good harvest is a great reason to celebrate, whether in a public event or at home with your loved ones.

It may already feel like summer in hot, steamy Florida, but despite the soaring temperatures, the Summer Solstice is still weeks away. 

But what, exactly, is the Summer Solstice, and why have people celebrated it since ancient times?

First, a little science: The summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs when one of Earth’s poles is at its maximum tilt. That’s when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, making it the longest day and the shortest night of the year.

This is the time when ancient celebrants welcomed the return of sunlight, fertility, life, and the potential for a good harvest. And those are as good reasons to celebrate as any! 

When do we celebrate?

In 2024, the summer solstice will take place at 20:51 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Thursday, June 20. This means the summer solstice will occur on Thursday, June 20, at 1:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) or 4:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the Northern Hemisphere.

Now we know when to celebrate, but how do we commemorate this occasion? Here are a few ideas to enjoy this special day across the Sunshine State!

Summer Solstice Soirée

Kick off summer in style at the Fair Oaks Foundation’s Summer Solstice Soirée during an afternoon filled with art, music, and fun under the sun. 

If you’re artistically inclined, there’s a Featured Artists exhibition with works by Karen LeMonnier that capture Florida’s rivers and springs, stunning pieces by Linda Zidonik, a mosaic artist, and the beautiful wildlife prints of Leslie Peebles, a Gainsviulle printmaker. 

But if dance is what you want, you and the whole family can sway to the lively tunes of The Varmint Family Old Time String Band.

There are also exclusive house tours that give you a glimpse into the elegance and history that define the Fair Oaks estate, as well as scenic golf cart rides around this beautiful estate. Of course, all that activity will make you thirsty, so light refreshments will be available.

Enjoy the fun on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7726 SE 179th Pl Micanopy, FL. Tickets are available online or at the door on the day of the event.

For more information, click here. 

Family Mindfulness Summer Solstice Celebration

If you’re looking to mark the first official day of summer at an event that provides a unique, holistic experience while it’s still fun for the whole family, then this is the one for you. 

Here everyone can experience the serenity of the Fire Pit stillness, a beautiful reminder to turn inward; share Heart Talk to explore how mindfulness can nurture faith traditions, and participate in a mindful Drum Circle. 

And for pure, unadulterated joy, there is also outside play, including a fun  Kids Scavenger Hunt,  and more! Light meals are included. 

Although this is a free event, donations are welcome.

Enjoy the fun on Tuesday, Jun 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 34 SW 5th Ave Delray Beach, FL. 

For tickets and more information, click here. 

Summer Solstice Ecstatic Dance Party

If you’re more mystically inclined, then this is the event for you. Described as “the fastest way to bypass the mind and connect with your body,” this joyful party invites you to dance the night away to a lineup of DJs who blend acoustic drums with world-beat dance music.

The event features tribal drums that allow the participants to experience their tribal roots, as well as live music with a concert by JaiStar’s Jaime & Star Triana, a musical duo that has been helping people heal through dance for over a decade.

After the dance, the music will slow down so everyone can move towards stillness as the sound healing concert helps align the chakras. The exotic scents of incense, sage, palo santo, and essential oils will awaken the senses, making this Summer Solstice celebration a uniquely personal experience.

Enjoy the fun on Saturday, June 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Hatch on 1121 Lucerne Avenue Lake Worth, FL. For tickets (including early bird) and more information, click here. 

Blessed Litha / Summer Solstice  

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the theme for this joyful celebration and, of course, you are free to dress up as a character or a faerie. 

Also known as Summer Solstice, Humanity has been celebrating Litha and the triumph of light since ancient times. The joyous rituals celebrate the Earth in high summer, abundance, fertility, and all the riches of nature in full bloom. 

If communal sharing is for you, here’s your chance to partake in an abundant potluck feast surrounded by like-minded celebrants! If you partake in the feast, make sure to bring something to share (or make a dollar donation). Your food item should be able to feed at least eight people.

Of course, since this is a celebration, you should also bring hand instruments, such as drums, flutes, tambourines, maracas, and guitars, or be prepared to sing to your heart’s content. The only request? “Please remember to always enter Our Circle with perfect love and an open heart.”

Enjoy the fun on Saturday, June 22 starting at 6:30 p.m. The ritual starts at 7:00 pm at 1911 E Livingston St, Orlando, FL.

For tickets, parking, and more information, click here. 

Milagro Center’s Summer Solstice Garden Yoga

If spending time with your BFFs is more your vibe, then the return of the Milagro Center’s Women Empowerment Series is the best news you’ll probably get this summer!

Strike a pose while you immerse in the serene vibe of an outdoor yoga session led by teacher Carol Schneider. Breathe in the fresh air, be lulled by the sound of the leaves swaying in the tropical breeze, and the sounds of birds calling out to each other in nature. 

Of course, in addition to yoga, there will be light bites, summer beverages, and even raffles — yay!. Mats will be provided, or you can bring your own.

Enjoy the fun on June 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Milagro Center 346 SW 6th Ave Delray Beach, FL.

For tickets and more information, click here. 

Celebrate on your own!

If you’re not one for big crowds and prefer a more intimate, or quiet celebration, here are five fun things you can do alone or with friends or family. 

Take a walk in the morning dew

Put out a bowl the night before the solstice to collect the morning dew and wash your face. A meditative walk in the grass first thing on the morning of the solstice is a great way to connect with the Earth and feel connected to all of nature.

Do some gardening

The summer solstice is traditionally a time to celebrate the potential for a good harvest. So the best way to celebrate is to bring new life to your garden by planting something new. Or by starting a garden, no matter how small (a potted plant can be a great reminder of the vastness of nature). Spend some time “communicating” with your plants by being present and giving them the love and care they need. 

Visit a local berry farm

Eating sweet and delicious berries ripened by its warmth is a great way to salute the Sun. Eating them slowly and mindfully while appreciating their appearance, noticing their varying colors, and tasting their unique flavors with a sense of gratitude, is a great way to thank Mother Earth for its bounty. 

Read books about the Summer Solstice

If you’re a bookworm, this is something that you can enjoy with your children while helping them understand what the solstice is all about in a way that fuels their imagination. 

Titles you might like include “Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun,” a beautifully illustrated book by  Deb Vanasse (Author) and Jeremiah Trammell (Illustrator). Then there’s “The Midsummer Mouse: Midsummer Tales of Tiptoes Lightly and the Summer Queen” by author and illustrator Reg Down, which is full of midsummer mirth, misadventure, mystery, and delight.  

Enjoy a Summer Solstice feast with kindred spirits

If you revel in the spirit of sharing good times and great food with loved ones, whether friends or family, host a summer solstice picnic or dinner party with traditional solstice foods grown, raised, and harvested locally. These can be fresh ripened fruit and seasonal vegetables prepared with mindfulness and love. Is there a better way to celebrate and give thanks for the abundance of summer? And for an abundant summer feast like they did in the old days, have a solstice potluck and invite each one of your guests to bring something they prepare made with seasonal local foods.