Midsummer & the Summer Solstice in Sussex is, of course, a celebration of the longest day of summer and Sussex has its fair share of Midsummer folklore. Examples include tales of a white “ghost” dog that appears every seven years on Midsummer’s Eve on the road between Alfriston and Seaford, bringing with it bad luck. And Midsummer’s Eve used to be known as the opportune time to see fairies, see into the future or to make “Midsummer Men” to discern the path of your future love. Midsummer’s Eve has also long been celebrated in England with bonfires, all-night vigils, dancing, and feasting. And Pagan traditions associated with Midsummer go back thousands of years to beliefs in the power of the sun.
Watch the sun set
If you want to escape on your own to enjoy the longest day and watch the sun set on the first half of the year, then head to Chanctonbury Ring, Windover Hill (above the Long Man at Wilmington), the Devil’s Humps at Kingley Vale or Selsey Bill.
Join in with a Sussex solstice tradition
Many of the older traditions associated with Midsummer in Sussex have long since died out but there are still ways to celebrate the summer solstice in Sussex. In 2025, The Sompting Village Morris will celebrate the solstice on the 21st of June by walking up Highdown Hill near Worthing and then “dancing down the sun” with flaming torches and a beacon before walking back down the hill by candlelight. They meet at The Spotted Cow in Angmering at 7 pm. They also celebrate Midsummer on the 28th of June at the John Selden in Worthing.
Meet the pack
Pagan Village will host various midsummer events in 2025 in Sussex this year including Wild Midsummer in Wold Woods (Bexhill) on the 21st June. This event includes Norse tales of wolves that chase the sun and moon around the camp fire. Maybe you will even have the chance to spend some time with the wolves themselves!
Meanwhile, over at Wild Heart Hill in Findon, The Wellderness will be holding a community celebration of the Summer Solstice on the 21st of June 2025 with a gathering from mid-afternoon until the daylight dips behind the horizon.
Embrace your femininity
Over in Rye and Camber, the team from The Gallivant is hosting a Summer Solstice Women’s Circle on the 2oth of June 2025. This 2 hour workshop includes “ritual to release all that no longer serves you, then set your intentions for the coming season…a deeply nourishing crystal bowl sound meditation, which culminates in refreshments shared in sisterhood”.
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