Hancock launched four days of Juhannus summer solstice celebrations Wednesday, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world as the city marks its designation as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. Downtown Hancock has been decorated for the occasion, with tsirk birds, flowers and solstice-themed displays welcoming visitors to Quincy Street alongside decorations marking the country’s 250th anniversary.
“It’s really a nice addition to the welcome mat of Quincy Street for the folks who are coming from away — not only a whole bunch of international folks, but we have people driving from as far as Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania,” said David Maki, executive director of the Finnish American Heritage Center. “People are coming here. We’ve really become a destination because of this designation.”
Among those visitors include international dignitaries making the trip to the Copper Country a priority.
“Not only will more than one ambassador from a nation be in the Copper Country at the same time, but we have a total of three high-level dignitaries who have made it a priority to come and be a part of our Juhannus celebration,” Maki said.
Hancock High School hosts lectures and presentations Thursday and Friday exploring Finno-Ugric culture and heritage. One session will feature Finland’s ambassador discussing why Finland has ranked as the world’s happiest country for several consecutive years.
“Thursday’s the way to find out all about that,” Maki said of the Finno-Ugric programming.
“The ambassador to Finland is going to discuss why Finland is the world’s happiest country — that’s kind of a curiosity, right?” said Todd Gast, community development coordinator for the City of Hancock.
Friday night, the community will gather at Hancock Beach for the annual solstice kokko bonfire, a Copper Country tradition with roots in Toivola’s Finnish community. Saturday begins with the raising of the midsummer pole on Quincy Green, followed by games, a tori and dancing. Wolf’s Head Film will screen “Heavy Trip” in the evening ahead of the Michigan Air Guitar Exhibition at 9 p.m. at the Orphan Theater.
“That’ll be at 9 p.m. at the Orphan Theater, and I believe they’ve already hit their quota — I think they’re at about 15 participants getting up on stage and showing off their stuff,” Gast said.
During Saturday’s celebrations, organizers will announce which city will carry the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture designation in 2027. On Sunday, organizers encourage attendees to explore Finno-Ugric heritage sites across the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Juhannus celebrations begin tonight. The Finnish American Folk School opens its fourth annual Midsommer Exhibit at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy Street. More information about the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture and Juhannus celebrations is available online. Find a full schedule for the festival here.
