Gazette file photo Hancock's midsummer bonfire during at Porvoo Park, in 2025, as part of the city's Juhannus. celebration

HANCOCK — The world’s first American Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, Hancock, Michigan, is going to celebrate Juhannus June 17-20. In true Nordic fashion, the sunshine sticks around until 10-11 p.m. According to a press release from Visit Keweenaw, Hancock has been called the most Finnish place in the United States by National Geographic, and for good reason. Tradition is lived here every day – and with a modern twist – the Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration is a “can’t miss event” for your summer trip planning.

The full schedule is now available, featuring four days of Finnish, Sámi, Estonian, Hungarian and broader Finno-Ugric culture through music, food, lectures, workshops, art, sauna, community gatherings and the unmistakable magic of a Keweenaw summer night.

The celebration begins Wednesday, June 17, with a lecture at the Quincy Mine Hoist Museum, followed by a pop-up exhibit and social. The evening also includes the opening reception for the 4th Annual Folk School at Midsummer Exhibition at the Finlandia Art Gallery, along with the Akseli Gallen-Kallela Exhibition at the Finnish American Heritage Center.

On Thursday, June 18, the 2nd Finno-Ugric Open Forum: Building Transatlantic Bridges will bring international voices to Hancock High School for keynote remarks, panel discussions and conversation around Finno-Ugric communities, youth cooperation and North American perspectives. That same day, visitors can also enjoy Keweenaw Heritage Day at Quincy Mine Hoist, where representatives from the region’s 23 Keweenaw Heritage Sites will gather, followed by an evening mixer and concert with Ruut DeMeo, Finlandia Foundation National Performer of the Year, at the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Friday, June 19, brings the Finno-Ugric Day of Culture to Hancock High School with a full day of lectures, demonstrations, music, exhibits and Tori Market. Topics range from Finnish American history and kantele music to traditional singing, Baltic psalteries, Finno-Ugric flags, pagan holiday traditions, folk dance and more. Folk School workshops will also take place at Skyline Commons, including jouhikko, birch bark stars, himmeli ornament making and felting.

That evening, the celebration heads outdoors to Hancock Beach for one of Juhannus’ signature summer moments: the Sauna Expo, live music, games and the lighting of the Juhannus Kokko, the traditional midsummer bonfire. With Lake Superior nearby, saunas glowing and the sky staying light late into the evening, it will be a scene that feels unmistakably Keweenaw.

Saturday, June 20, keeps the celebration moving with a Nordic Walking event, Tori Market, family-friendly arts and culture activities at the Finnish American Heritage Center and the Finno-Ugric Festival on the Green. The day includes live ethnic music, a parade of ethnic and character costumes, flags and the Tsirk bird, followed by the Midsummer Pole Raising Ceremony, the 2027 Capital of Culture announcement and a group greeting photo and video.

The afternoon brings some of the most playful events of the weekend, including wife-carrying and the International Sauna Games from 1-5 p.m. The celebration wraps with a 7-10 p.m. dance at the Finnish American Heritage Center featuring live music from Lauluaika and Northern Stars Sámi Sisters.

“This is more than a festival — it’s Hancock stepping onto an international stage while still feeling completely like home,” said Jesse Wiederhold, Managing Director of Visit Keweenaw. “Juhannus is sunshine, sauna, music, culture, community and that very specific Keweenaw feeling of not wanting the night to end. It’s the perfect reason to plan a summer trip to the Copper Country.”

The full Juhannus Summer Solstice Celebration schedule is available at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/juhannus-summer-solstice-celebration/festival-schedule/.