Seven Enchanting Tips to Elevate Your St. John’s Day Festivities
You might not believe in treasures, magic, or healing springs, but the truth is that Midsummer Night, along with the period of the summer solstice, is one of the most fascinating times of the year. These nights are unique, filled with an enchanting vibe when the Sun reaches its highest point. You can choose to celebrate during the day, at night, or a blend of both to fit your style. There are plenty of options available.
St. John’s Eve in Wallachian Village
Join the celebration of the solstice at the Wallachian Open Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm on Friday, June 20, 2025. Experience a magical night filled with love rituals and bonfires, starting from 9 p.m. at the Wallachian Heritage and the amphitheater Na Stráni. The evening’s program will feature ancient customs, ceremonies, and rituals associated with the festivities. Enjoy performances from folklore groups such as Bača, Košár, Lipta, the women’s choir Rokytenka, Radhošt’, and Vsacan. Also, there will be a chance to taste tea made from nine flowers and watch the midsummer fire. Vanda Vrlová will share insights about herbs, Jan, and Midsummer traditions. The admission fee is 150 CZK.
St. John’s Day Celebrations in Lavender Valley
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, take part in the Midsummer Festivities in the Lavender Valley near Zdice. For one day, all women will be honored as the Slavic goddess. Enjoy making wreaths and tasting delicious food and drinks from June traditions. Immerse yourself in a day filled with tradition, joy, and inspiration in the heart of the Lavender Valley! This event welcomes anyone who appreciates the strength of Mother Nature and traditional medicine. During these Midsummer days, we celebrate the vibrant energy and powerful healing properties of herbs, particularly the Queen Lavender of Chodouň. Alžběta Šorfová and the Journeys to Self team will guide you through the day, sharing traditions, rituals, and spiritual wisdom related to this enchanting period. Expect special Midsummer treats, divine beverages, and uplifting music.
St. John’s Herb Festival on Wolf Mountain
Every summer solstice, the Wolfhurst Garden hosts the Midsummer Herb Festival, celebrating the bond between nature and humanity through music, singing, delicious food, and a midsummer fire. The rich program kicks off on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 10:00 p.m. You can enjoy fantastic music from artists like Lenka Nová, Jiří Schmitzer, Monika Bublíková, Imaginárium, Kluk z Husovky, and Marie Němcová. There will be self-development workshops including music and yoga, themed talks on herbs and aromatherapy, as well as guided tours of the Nobilis Tilia space. The shop and the tea room will also be open.
Midsummer Night at Hukvaldy Castle
On Saturday, June 22, visit Hukvaldy Castle for a mystical night featuring midsummer fires, sword fights, ghost stories, and an incredible fire show. Experience a unique atmosphere that only comes once a year. The castle walls will echo with period music performed by Devětsil, while the scenic fencing group Allegros will showcase their talent with skits. Both children and adults are invited to participate in archery or crossbow shooting, and there will be various stalls offering themed products. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fire performance at 10:00 p.m. as the highlight of Midsummer Night.
Midsummer Evening in Valtice
Come and immerse yourself in the enchantment of the Herb Garden in Valtice. The Midsummer Evening will occur on Friday, June 23, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Together, you will create amulets and talismans, weave wreaths from the nine flowers, and brew magical herbal potions. The exceptional Lu & Tiree Chmelar Herb Garden in Valtice has been a part of the Lednice-Valtice UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. Visit this unique demonstration garden to explore 300 species of various herbs and enjoy a lovely afternoon. The garden is situated right next to Valtice Castle, where the old castle gardens used to stand. Today you can wander through 3000 m2 of fascinating natural landscapes that have no equal in the Czech Republic.
St. John’s Day in Pěnčín
As it does every year, on Sunday, June 22, the village of Pěnčín celebrates St. John’s Day, a day when the power of healing herbs shines brightest. Historically significant to local physician and folk healer Jan Josef Antonín Eleazar Kittel, who established his practice in Burk, where he helped patients and prepared medicines in his lab. Herbs from his garden were vital to his work. The festivities will center around these herbs, featuring wreath-making, guided tours of Kittel’s House, and culminating in a concert by the midsummer fire under the enchanting summer sky. Additionally, enjoy local beer from Krásná and tasty snacks. For the first time this year, Krásná will host Day with the fairy Izerina, a beloved event that has moved from Jizerka to Kittel’s house for children.
Midsummer Night in the Open-Air Museum in Kourim
This is an evening for romantic souls in the enchanting setting of the Kourim open-air museum, taking place on June 27 at 7:00 p.m. Learn how our ancestors celebrated the summer solstice. Why did they light midsummer fires? What secrets did the wormwood wreath hold for young women? You’ll discover the answers, craft your own wreath, and create your own love potion! Attendees will learn about the magical herbs and love potions connected to the solstice magic, and they will get to make wormwood wreaths for divination purposes. Enjoy discussions about local herbs and a tour of an exhibit featuring traditional furniture. At nightfall, around 9:30 p.m., a ceremonial lighting of the Midsummer fire will occur, accompanied by singing and music.
The Nine Flowers of Midsummer
If you’re not interested in attending any events, you can still explore the intriguing magic of the Midsummer Nine flowers. Here are some tips for getting started.
- The foundation of all Midsummer Night’s magic is the magic nine of herbs and flowers that everyone is encouraged to find and gather for themselves.
- A simple version suggests combining a bouquet of midsummer flowers (which is just a fancy name for daisies), roses (any kind, even rose hips), pitcher plants, cornflowers, wildflowers (you can take any that are available), pussycat (also known as a fat man or little man), motherwort, violets (you might not find early spring ones; field pansies can substitute) and bellflowers. Another method suggests using St. John’s Wort, chamomile, comfrey, marigold, arnica, and knotweed. Gather and blend!
However, be cautious, as there are a lot of things you should avoid while searching, picking, and tying. For instance, do not talk, laugh, or look back. Usually, this is a girl’s activity, meaning it’s best for each girl to go out on her own to gather herbs.- The girl who places a bouquet of nine flowers under her pillow or tosses it through the door is believed to dream of her future husband. It’s also said that dreams during the Midsummer night can come true, even if they don’t involve a bridegroom.
- Do not throw away the herb wreaths at the end; instead, burn them. It’s believed that doing so will consume all bad luck.
