IKEA's Yearly Midsummer Buffet Slated For June 23
If there's an event where it's appropriate to wear a flower crown, count us in! That's why we love Swedish Midsummer! These parties are typically a full-on indulgence in warmth, a bountiful table, and capitalizing on daylight, as Midsummer is celebrated on the summer solstice, i.e. the longest day of the year. In 2023, the summer solstice falls on June 21. To celebrate, Sweden's biggest export IKEA is inviting guests to join their Midsummer Buffet on Friday, June 23, 2023.
According to a press release sent to Tasting Table, guests at the Midsummer Buffet will be able to enjoy plenty of Swedish meatballs, alongside other traditional fare at every U.S. IKEA location. Admission to the family-friendly event must be purchased in advance. Tickets for adults are $24.99 and children are $12.99, but members of the IKEA Family rewards club receive discounted prices for the festive event; adult tickets are $19.99, and children are $9.99 if you're a member. So, in addition to meatballs, what other fare might you feast upon?
IKEA serves up Swedish Midsummer classics
IKEA told us that not only will there be meatballs, but ticket holders can also expect to enjoy salmon, seasonal drinks, and more. What else might you expect from a summer feast in Sweden? Well, if IKEA goes for traditional Midsummer fare, you're likely to find pickled herring, which sees the fish cured in salt, then brined with vinegar, and aromatics like carrot, bay leaves, and onions. Pressgurka or Swedish pickled cucumbers sliced paper-thin and infused with briny caraway seeds could also be on the menu. Swedish mustard sauce, a tangy accompaniment for your herring, meatballs, and pickles, could also have a spot on the buffet table. As for sweets, fresh strawberries capture the fleeting days of summer better than perhaps any other fruit.
For those who wish to celebrate Midsummer in Swedish style, IKEA invites you to visit their local IKEA store's website to get all the festive details. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the IKEA store restaurant. And while your local IKEA may not sell aquavit, the herb-infused spirit native to Scandinavia and traditionally served at Midsummer feasts, you still have time to start a batch at home.