Starkweather Summer Solstice Festival

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Adam MondaySmith

A pillar of fire.

The Starkweather solstice bonfire, summer 2022.

Nowhere is the solstice celebrated more enthusiastically than in east Madison — at least in the greater Madison area. This twice-a-year gathering sponsored by Friends of Starkweather Creek is maybe even more fun in June than in December, with canoe rides (starting at 4 p.m.), food carts (5:30 p.m.), music from Onadare (6:30 p.m.), and bonfire and drumming at sunset. Best of all, attendees can write wishes to add to the bonfire, which is supposed to aid in their coming true, for whatever reason, and why not? We have a few ideas.

media release: THE 25TH ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE BONFIRE CELEBRATION 2026

Come gather around the bonfire on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 4:00pm-9:30pm, at Olbrich Park on Lake Monona, near the intersection of Atwood Avenue and Oakridge Avenue.

This is a Free Event

The annual summer solstice gathering celebrates community, nature, humanity, and life on earth on the northern hemisphere's longest day of the year. This event started to highlight our own humble Starkweather Basin as part of the larger universe. 

Enjoy canoe rides, music, picnicking, food carts, ice cream, the lighting ceremony, and the biggest BLAZE of the Bonfire at 8:30.

Bring thoughts and worries to release in the fire, wishes to ascend with the smoke, and hope for more light in our lives and the lives of others, as we celebrate the beginning of the shortest night!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4:00   Canoe rides at the boat launch parking lot by the Thai Pavillion next to Olbrich Garden

5:30   Food carts and ice cream arrive

5:45   Paper mache “critter heads” arrive for volunteer dancers to try on

6:30   Music (Onadare Celtic Band; Group singing)

8:20   Welcome and Blessing the Bonfire with the human microphone

8:30 (Sunset): Bonfire is lit with the International Flame of Hope by honoree Michael Vickerman

8:30  Drumming by the Elmore Lawson drum circle begins (Dancing and drumming continue until 9:30).  

8:45 (ish) Assisted by “Wish Agents” people can write and add wishes to the fire after it burns lower (no containers, bags, or cardboard).