What is the Danish name for the midsummer celebration held on June 23?

The Danish name for the midsummer celebration held on June 23 is Sankt Hans Aften.

Sankt Hans Aften means Saint John’s Eve and is observed on June 23, the evening before Saint John the Baptist’s feast day. In Denmark, the most recognizable custom is the lighting of large bonfires, often with a symbolic witch figure placed on top. Communities gather to sing, eat, and watch the fires after sunset.

The celebration combines Christian calendar traditions with older European midsummer customs involving fire and protection. A well-known song at Danish bonfires is “Vi elsker vort land,” commonly called the Midsummer Hymn, written by Holger Drachmann. Local practices vary, but the bonfire remains the event’s defining public feature.