Summer Solstice events to mark the longest day of the…

Summer Solstice events to mark the longest day of the year

The Summer Solstice is celebrated to mark the longest day of the year.

Cultures from all over the world flock to key destinations in order to make the most of the evening, also known as Midsummer Day. The sun reaches its highest altitude of the year on Wednesday, June 21, with the sun rising at 4.52am and setting at 9.27pm, meaning a total of 16 hours of sunshine.

The annual celebration allows you the best chance to plan ahead and make the most of the event. You can make the most of the Summer Solstice in whatever form you desire but there are events to help pad out the day.

Merseyside offers a range of beautiful and scenic locations, from Sefton Park and Pier Head to Hilbre Island and Wirral's Coastal Walk, so there's no shortage of options to bask all day in the sun.

A handful of events that tap into Summer Solstice's history are also available. Speke's Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre is hosting rituals and bonfires to make the most of the abundance of light, asking for only a small donation in return to cover the cost of food. The event is from 6pm - 10pm.

For those wanting something a little more mellow, you can enjoy a meditation lesson on Crosby Beach while enjoying the beautiful descent of the sun. A combination of heart-healing yogic breathwork, energy release techniques, mindful intention, intuitive meditation and a guided yoga nidra relaxation will all be on offer. Anyone interested should meet at Crosby's Leisure Centre at 7:45pm with their own cushion, mat and pillow.

An old school campfire experience at Lunt Meadows diving into the event's history as far as 9000 years ago will be led by the Museum of Liverpool’s Honorary Curator of Prehistoric Archaeology, Ron Cowell. You can drop by any time between 5pm - 7pm.

Despite the organised events, you can make the most of the Summer Solstice from anywhere you like, including your back garden.