St John’s Eve (Jaaniõhtu, also Jaanilaupäev) and St John’s Day (Jaanipäev) are the most important days in the Estonian calendar, apart from Christmas. The short summer seasons with long days and brief nights hold special significance for the people of Estonia. Jaanipäev is celebrated in the night between June 23 and 24, a few days after the summer solstice, when night seems to be non-existent.
