Finnish midsummer bonfires are commonly called kokko.
Kokko fires are a major feature of Finnish Juhannus celebrations, especially in rural areas and at lakeside gatherings. The tradition is connected with older beliefs that fire could drive away harmful forces and protect people during the bright season.
The fires are often built from piled wood and may be lit beside water, where families and communities gather for food, music and sauna. In Finland, Juhannus is also closely associated with summer cottages and the countryside. Kokko is a Finnish term and should not be confused with Sweden’s midsommarstång, which is the decorated maypole rather than a fire.