The ancient Roman festival honoring Vesta in early June was called Vestalia.
Vestalia celebrated Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth, home, family, and sacred fire. The festival ran from June 7 to June 15, placing it near the summer solstice, although it was not itself a solstice festival. Vesta’s worship was closely tied to the safety and continuity of Rome, whose sacred flame was tended by the Vestal Virgins.
On the opening day, the innermost sanctuary of Vesta’s temple, normally kept curtained off, was opened for women to make offerings. Roman matrons traditionally approached barefoot and left food for the goddess in hopes of receiving blessings for their households. June 9 was especially associated with the donkey, Vesta’s sacred animal, which was decorated with garlands and pieces of bread.
The festival ended with the temple’s purification. Its accumulated debris was ceremonially swept away on June 15. Floralia honored Flora, Lupercalia was linked with fertility and purification in February, and Saturnalia honored Saturn in December.