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There's a line in The Great Gatsby that inevitably pops into my mind at this time of year as the sun lingers in the sky. "Do you ever wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it?" Daisy Buchanan asks in the book. "I always wait for the longest day of the year and then miss it!"
Daisy's line, of course, symbolizes much more than sunny evenings, but it serves as my annual reminder to savor the summer solstice—my favorite day of the year. For me, the solstice is a holiday on par with New Year's Eve. I see it as a reset, a chance to prepare for the second half of the year, and a reminder not to squander nature's fleeting joys. I invite you to join me this year in these June 20 rituals, so let me tell you about a bunch of great ways to celebrate around the city.
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Swedish Midsummer Festival
I'm so solstice obsessed that I traveled to Sweden a few years ago to attend their renowned summer solstice celebrations. During a solstice party at the open-air museum Skansen, I made a flower crown, danced around a maypole and tried to sing along with Swedish folk songs. But this year, you can do all of that without taking a long flight to Stockholm.
A free Swedish Midsummer Festival popping up in Rockefeller Park features all the midsummer necessities. The event is hosted by the Consulate General of Sweden, New York—so you know it's going to be as authentic as possible.
Events run from 5pm–9pm on Friday, June 20.
Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga
On the summer solstice in 2003, three people did yoga at sunrise in Times Square. After that, two of them co-founded a solstice yoga in Times Square event that now draws thousands of yogis. Officially called Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga, this all-day yoga festival turns the hectic streets of Times Square into an oasis of calm.
This year, the event runs from 7:30am to 8:30pm on Friday, June 20 at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 48th Streets. Classes are free to attend; just be sure to register in advance here. Free yoga mats will be provided to registered attendees while supplies last; be sure to bring your own water bottle.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Summer Solstice Celebration
Brooklyn Botanic Garden will celebrate sunrise and sunset on the longest day of the year with special performances. One ticket ($24/adult) gets you access to both the morning and the night performance on Friday, June 20.
At sunrise, the day begins with a guided musical meditation by composer/saxophonist Matthew Evan Taylor, accompanied by Metropolis Ensemble's chamber orchestra. The show explores the profound connection between breath, sound and Black identity, inviting participants to become part of a communal soundscape.
As the day comes to a close, enjoy Taylor's Afropneuma, then let the energy build as Erik Hall's visionary reimagining of Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians takes you on a hypnotic journey with electric guitars, basses, synths and voices.
Coney Island Fireworks
Though it's not an official summer solstice event, the weekly Coney Island fireworks series kicks off on Friday, June 20—and that would make for a magical way to celebrate the solstice. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45pm and typically launch from the beach at West 12th Street, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks.
I'd recommend getting to the beach early (Summer Fridays, anyone?) to enjoy the sun and surf. When you get hungry, grab some dinner at one of the Coney Island's best restaurants. Then settle back onto the sand to watch the sun dip behind the horizon before the fireworks light up the night sky.
A DIY celebration
You don't need an official celebration to enjoy the solstice. For me, it's all about simply getting outside and savoring the change in seasons. Maybe you take a long walk, find a secret garden in bloom or grab a drink at a rooftop bar.
But whatever you do, don't miss it, Daisy.