Celebrating the summer: Five solstice traditions around the world
Breathe new life into your travel plans and add one of these five equinox events to your holiday wish-list as the world ushers in the official start of the summer.
Summer has well and truly arrived, and with glorious weather being enjoyed across the UK and beyond, we’re looking ahead to the solstice coming up this weekend. Far from simply being the longest day of the year, this annual event is the symbolic height of the summer and is celebrated by a number of cultures and religions across the globe. What better time, then, to take a look at the most memorable celebrations that can shake up your travel plans?
Though there are plenty of European festivals to enjoy, such as Scandinavia’s iconic Midsummer celebrations and sunset-watching at Stonehenge, some of the most memorable can only be found further afield. With that in mind, our team have been busy thinking of the summer solstice traditions across Asia and the Americas that keep us coming back for more. From Incan parades and midnight-sun celebrations to the quiet calm of Japan’s Geshi festival, here are five equinox events.
1. The Inti Raymi Festival, Peru
While the rest of the southern hemisphere celebrates its winter equinox this week instead of the summer solstice, the cultural similarities around this time of year are actually quite similar. Take Peru’s Inti Raymi Festival, for instance. Though it marks the shortest day of the year in the Incan calendar, this lively nine-day ceremony pays tribute to the sun god, Inti, and welcomes the longer days and bountiful harvests. With a dazzling display of colours, music and traditional dancing, this is perhaps the most memorable way to experience authentic Incan culture.
2. Geshi, Japan
Trading the lively rhythms and dances of Cusco for Japan’s Shinto traditions, the Geshi festival promises a more subtle way to celebrate the summer solstice but is still every bit as memorable. Symbolising spiritual purification, the celebration can be a private or public affair depending on the region it’s being observed in, and there are plenty of ways for visitors to take part in the festivities. Cast off your bad luck as you pass through a woven Chinowa ring at one of Tokyo’s Shinto shrines or cool yourself down with unique summer delicacies, from cold ramen to mugicha (barley tea). For a more traditional experience, join the thousands of people who gather to usher in the sunrise at Ise’s Meteo Iwa (Wedded Rock).
3. International Yoga Day, India
Similarly to the quiet reflection of Japanese Geshi, India’s Hindu communities observe the solstice in a spiritual way, with many viewing the occasion as a symbol of equilibrium, light and energy. As such, the 21st of June has become a popular day for practicing yoga and meditation amongst Hindus and Buddhists, particularly across northern India and Nepal. In 2014, the country marked the summer solstice with the world’s first International Yoga Day and has continued to welcome yoga enthusiasts from across Asia and beyond on its anniversary each year.
4. Midnight Sun Festival, Alaska
Moving across the Pacific now, Alaska celebrates the equinox in an entirely different way. With much of the region sitting within the Arctic Circle, numerous towns across ‘The Last Frontier’ offer a unique way to enjoy the midnight sun and Fairbanks, the state’s second-largest city, is no exception. Dominating the city’s downtown district from noon to night, Fairbanks’ Midnight Sun Festival promises the perfect setting to enjoy this impressive phenomenon. Watch the evening’s baseball in broad daylight, try some local Alaskan delicacies or peruse the quaint street markets that line the town’s streets.
5. National Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada
East of the Alaskan border, Canada’s ‘Great White North’ is also home to an array of distinctive local solstice traditions, especially within its native communities. While the 21st of June marks the Canadian summer equinox too, it also coincides with the country’s National Indigenous Peoples Day and schedules immersive cultural events every year. Few events showcase these time-honoured customs quite like Ottawa’s Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, with enlightening powwows (traditional native American gatherings) staged across the city. While here, you’ll also find plenty of authentic dance performances and culinary delights to enjoy from across the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Experience the solstice around the world with Newmarket Holidays
Are you looking to liven up your plans for summer 2026 and beyond? Our friendly holiday planners are on hand to help you experience something new and get the most value for your money. Whether you’re ready to get the ball rolling on your next equinox escape, or simply want to chat about your options, give them a call today. For more details on all our itineraries, check our full range of destinations.
