Scandinavia Events and Weather in June

Scandinavia in June is truly beautiful, and it is a favorite month of many travelers. June warms the region up nicely, bringing summer weather and thus, countless outdoor events. Summer attractions are open, and Scandinavia's parks and gardens are never prettier. Mild weather lets you take a swim in the sea, and if you prefer skinny-dipping, nudism is an option in Scandinavia. But be aware that as the summer begins, travel prices may climb.

The Weather

June offers travelers a big warm-up in a relatively short time, but it might get a little windy along the coast. Average daily temperatures this month range from 52 to 68 F in Scandinavia's southern half and from 46 F to 60 F in Iceland and extreme northern parts of Sweden and Norway. Average precipitation for June is around two inches.

Packing Tips

Light coats are handy for travel during early and mid-summer in Scandinavia. Mornings and nights can still be a little windy in some parts, and it is generally advisable to bring along a comfortable sweater and a cardigan or two (or one or two light jackets) to layer clothing. Travelers with a destination in Iceland need to bring warmer clothing. Furthermore, weatherproof raincoats and windbreakers, regardless of the season, are always a good idea for travelers to Scandinavia. Tough and comfortable shoes are also essential for your vacation if you enjoy outdoor activities.

National Holidays in June

Holidays can affect your travel through business and government office closures. Here are the national holidays in Scandinavia for June:

June 5: Independence Day (Constitution Day), Denmark
June 6: Independence Day (National Flag Day), Sweden
June 17: National Independence Day, Iceland

Annual Events

Annual events, include rock shows, festivals, summer solstice events, celebrations full of history, and even a nighttime marathon. Organizers can pull the latter off due to the fact that in some areas the sun doesn't completely set, and in others, it may set for only a couple of hours. You'll find outdoor celebrations such as bonfires throughout Scandinavia on solstice eve and other local events from June 20–25 or so.

01 of 10

Stockholm Marathon, Sweden

Editor's note: The 2020 Stockholm Marathon was canceled. The next race is set for June 5, 2021.

The Stockholm Marathon in 2020 is the 42nd annual. Visitors can watch the runners throughout the city.

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Festival of the Sea (Various Locations, Iceland)

Viking helmets in the Icelandic Festival — Ken Gillespie/Getty Images

The Festival of the Sea or Viking Festival in Víðistaðatún park in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, is the largest such celebration in the country. It typically takes place around the first Sunday of June and lasts for several days. Different sources have different dates, so check before you go.

Look for the Festival of the Sea celebration in Reykjavík on Fisherman's Day, which is the first Sunday in June.

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Stockholm Early Music Festival

The Early Music Festival isn't about celebrating Swedish music but early folk music from across the globe. At various concerts you can hear early Bulgarian, Afghan, and Slovak music, among other ethnicities, including music played on the fujara, a distinct Slovak wind instrument.

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Smaka Good Food Festival, Sweden

Classic festival food — Henrik Pettersson/Flickr

Organizers at the Smaka Good Food Festival in Stockholm expect to sell 200,000 portions of food from Sweden's best food trucks and stands selling taste sensations from many different cultures. Entertainment includes "dueling" chefs.

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Sweden Rock Festival

Hard rock and heavy metal fans will be in their glory at this virtual rock concert, which is taking place from June 3 to June 6 in 2021. See the Sweden Rock website for the full lineup.

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Northside Festival in Ådalen, Denmark

Northside Festival 2018 — Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

Past performers at the Northside Festival include Björk, Queens of the Stone Age, Beck, and Oasis's Liam Gallagher among the top names.

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Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromso, Norway

Temporary dwelling used by the Sami people of northern Scandinavia. — Tristan Schmurr/Flickr

About 6,000 runners participate annually in the Midnight Sun Marathon, which starts at 8:30 p.m. There are different lengths for different levels and ages of runners, including a kids' course that starts at 3 p.m.

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June 21–25: Midsummer's Eve (Solstice) (Various Locations)

Midsummer In The Arctic Archipelago Svalbard — Chris Jackson/Getty Images

You'll find bonfires, games, and other events on and preceding the summer solstice among the countries of Scandinavia. Sweden and Finland go all out with celebrations, but they're lower key in Norway, Denmark, and Iceland.

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Oslo Pride Festival, Norway

Oslo Gay Pride Festival — Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images

The Oslo Pride festival features 150 events over 10 days—concerts, art exhibits, films, political debates, and more—in the city center. All are free.

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Viking Plays in Frederikssund, Denmark

The annual Viking plays have taken place in Frederikssund, Denmark, since 1952. More than 250 people participate every evening in the plays at Kalvø Park, which also has a museum about the Viking settlement there.

Editors Note: The 2020 Viking plays were canceled.