So, the Summer Solstice, which is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere each year on June 21, isn’t technically longer than any other day of the year. There are still 24 hours in the day, but what makes June 21 unique is that there are more hours of sunlight to be enjoyed.

Across the country, Americans revel in these extra hours of sunshine with celebrations all their own, and these are just a few of the most fascinating.

 

Baseball sitting in green grass

Fairbanks, Alaska

In a place that experiences even more sunlight than the rest of the country, a full 24 hours of sunlight between June 20 and 22, Fairbanks Alaska’s Goldpanners baseball team commemorates the occasion with the Midnight Sun Game. Every year since 1906, the team kicks off the game at 10:30 pm in full sunlight and ends a little after midnight—artificial lights never have to be used!

 

Three people in business suits doing yoga in the grass

New York, New York

You might expect to see crowds of people around New York City’s iconic Times Square, but you wouldn’t necessarily expect these people to be doing yoga, would you? On June 21, thousands gather for the Mind Over Madness Yoga event, which began as a counterpart to the craziness of Time Square’s New Year’s Eve party. Classes run from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm, and include all different forms of yoga with a handful of world-class instructors.

 

View of art museum from outside

Cleveland, Ohio

Since 2008, the Cleveland Museum of Art rings in the Summer Solstice with an all-night event that brings in thousands of spectators. Guests can enjoy unique musical acts from all over the world and across a variety of genres, as well as a tasty food and drink selection from local vendors. To top it off, the galleries are open will into the night so visitors can still experience the beauty of the museum, itself.

 

People dressed in Scandinavian clothing dancing outside

Geneva, Illinois

Thanks to the town’s large population of Swedish immigrants, Geneva, Illinois, commemorates the Summer Solstice in traditional Scandinavian fashion—with a multi-day festival. From June 19–24, festival goers can experience traditional Swedish eats, crafts, games, and more! Plus plenty of live music, children’s activities, and tours of historic Geneva.

 

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