So, remember, alcohol and water activities aren't a good mix. Most of Finland uses the week of Midsummer to escape urban settings for the countryside. Finns flock to forests and lakes in order to find their place in nature. And with 200,000 lakes and a seemingly unlimited length of lake and ocean shoreline, it isn't too hard. Those who aren't lucky enough to be in the country during Midsummer decorate their homes with flowers and birch branches and simply enjoy the peace that comes when streets are devoid of cars, kids and commotion.
Cities even decorate the buses with birch leaves to create a sense of nature.
Many of the customs and traditions associated with the holiday actually predate Christianity. Their origins lay in the pagan festival of fertility and light that marked the summer solstice. One of the most important rituals is the burning of the Midsummer kokko, or bonfire. It was said that the bonfires would magically increase the light and warmth of the summer. Finns in the Swedish-speaking coastal regions and the island province of Aland also dance around the Midsummer pole.