Latvia’s Jāņi midsummer celebration traditionally begins with Līgo night on June 23.
Jāņi is Latvia’s major summer festival, and the night of June 23 is called Līgo evening or Līgo night. The celebration continues into June 24, Jānis Day, creating an overnight festival around the summer solstice.
Common customs include gathering wildflowers, wearing wreaths, singing folk songs, eating caraway cheese and drinking beer. Bonfires are lit after sunset, and staying awake through the short summer night is part of the tradition.
June 23 should not be confused with the astronomical solstice, which can fall on June 20, 21 or 22 depending on the year and time zone. Jāņi follows fixed calendar dates.