Feast of Saint John (Rasos）

Lithuania’s Magical Midsummer Night of Dew, Fire, and Song

2025/06/22 - 2025/06/23

On June 24th, Lithuania is filled with bonfires, wildflowers, and ancient rituals for the Feast of Saint John (Rasos, Joninės, Midsummer Festival). On the shortest night of the year, along the riversides of Vilnius and in the meadows of Kernavė, both locals and travelers weave flower crowns, leap over fires, and wet their bare feet in the morning dew to celebrate the height of summer. Blending pagan and Christian traditions, this festival—held under a sky that barely darkens—is a magical night where you can experience the true spirit of a Lithuanian summer.

The festival takes place throughout Lithuania, with especially large events in Kernavė, Jonava, and Vilnius. It’s an open celebration for everyone—families, friends, couples, and travelers alike.

Main Attractions

Bonfires and Dancing Through the Night

At the heart of Rasos are large bonfires lit on hills and riverbanks to honor the power of the sun. People of all ages dance in circles around the flames, sing folk songs, and leap over the fire—a tradition believed to bring health and good luck. Torches and lanterns flicker on the water’s surface, while music and laughter echo until dawn.

Key Events

Highlights include passing through a gate decorated with flowers, lighting the altar fire, and floating flower crowns (vainikėliai) down the river to predict love and the future. The famous quest for the legendary “fern flower” in the forest is a favorite adventure for young people. At sunrise, it is said that washing your feet in the morning dew brings beauty and health.

Costumes and Decorations

Participants wear linen dresses, woven sashes, and flower crowns made from wildflowers and herbs. The venues are decorated with birch branches, ribbons, and the “Kupolė” pole—a tree of life adorned with flowers. The feel of dewy grass underfoot, the scent of herbs, and the softness of flower crowns create a magical atmosphere that delights all the senses.

Traditional Food & Drink

Rye bread, cheese, honey, roasted meats, and mead (honey wine) fill the tables as the gifts of summer. The aroma of wild strawberries, herbs, and woodsmoke drifts through the air, and people gather around the bonfire to toast the start of summer together.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Feast of Saint John (Rasos) has its origins in ancient solstice rituals that honored the sun, nature, and the dew goddess Rasa. People gathered magical herbs, wove flower crowns, and lit bonfires for protection and fertility. After Christianity arrived, these customs merged with the feast of Saint John the Baptist, creating a unique midsummer festival where pagan and Christian traditions coexist. Even under foreign rule, the festival was preserved as a symbol of national identity and hope. Today, it is a living tradition passed down through generations, uniting people in their wishes for nature, music, and the future.

Participant Voices

When I joined as a tourist, I was invited to float a flower crown. Mine drifted next to a stranger’s, and everyone cheered, saying we’d be married within a year! It was the most romantic night of my travels.

Fun Facts

The legendary search for the “fern flower” is an adventure for young people; it’s said to bloom only on Midsummer night and brings good luck to whoever finds it.
“Rasos” means “dew” in Lithuanian; washing your feet in the morning dew is believed to bring beauty and health.
People named Jonas or Janina celebrate their name day on this festival, with special songs and gifts.
The “Kupolė” pole, decorated with flowers and herbs, is a central symbol of the festival.
Jumping over the bonfire is believed to ward off misfortune and illness, bringing good luck for the year ahead.