116th annual Swedish Midsummer Festival returns to Geneva June 21

Posted June 15, 2026 12:29 pm

Submitted by Swedish Midsummer Festival

Experience the ultimate Midsummer celebration filled with live music, traditional folk dancing, and the iconic maypole raising at the 116th Father’s Day Swedish Midsummer Festival in Geneva.

Highlights include Scandinavian food and dance, colorful traditional costumes, crafts, games, cultural demonstrations, tours of a Viking ship replica, and a chance to meet Blu the Icelandic horse. It will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive. Admission is $7 or free for kids 12 or under, active military, and those dressed in traditional Scandinavian costumes.

A feast for the senses

Treat yourself to an authentic Scandinavian feast featuring the famous savory Swedish meatballs, classic Swedish pancakes (pannkakor), and bakery sweets, like cardamom coffee bread or almond tarts, paired with steaming cups of rich kaffe. The popular ice-cold lingonberry lemonade is a refreshing treat. And yes, they will even have traditional herring for the truly adventurous! Food items and meals are available for purchase while supplies last.

Midsummer main stage

Start your day with the traditional outdoor worship at 10 a.m.

Don't miss the crowning moment of the festival with the Maypole Raising at noon. Help usher in the summer solstice as the iconic maypole goes up. The opening ceremony will be at 1 p.m. featuring the national anthems.

At 1:15 p.m., enjoy an enchanting performance of traditional Swedish folk songs. At 2 p.m., marvel at the spinning, swirling colors of traditional Swedish and Nordic folk dancers in full historic costume.

At 2:45 p.m., enjoy the joyous, sweeping melodies of the Chicagoland Accordion Academy.

Enter the Viking Age and watch history leap off the pages at 3:30 p.m. Meet the fierce Nordland Viking Reenactors for an action-packed conclusion to the day's events.

Packed with fun games and activities for the little ones, this historic festival is the perfect way to spend your weekend. Learn more at goodtemplarpark.org or facebook.com/goodtemplarpark.

Viking ship tours

A group takes a tour of Geneva’s 1893 Viking ship replica during the 2023 Swedish Day Midsummer Festival at Good Templar Park in Geneva. Tours will be available this year on Sunday, June 21. Patrick Kunzer for the Daily Herald, June 21, 2023

While you’re at the festival, come see the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair Viking Ship. Docent led tours of the Viking ship are offered approximately every 15 minutes, starting at 10 a.m. with the last at 3:45 p.m.

Volunteer docents with Friends of the Viking Ship will tell you all about this one-of-a-kind ship. You’ll learn of Viking’s construction, journey, and significance. You may even meet a Viking!

Tours are $7 for age 18 or older, $4 for age 13 to 17, or free for age 12 or younger; credit cards or cash at the door — no advance tickets required. Learn more about the history of the ship at vikingship.us.