Summer Solstice Yaupon Tea Ceremony

Come celebrate the Summer Solstice by joining in community to drink the sacred Yaupon tea on the longest day of the year on Folly Beach SC.
About this Event

Summer Solstice Yaupon Tea Ceremony at Folly Beach

Join us for a sacred Summer Solstice Yaupon Tea Ceremony on the shores of Folly Beach as we gather to honor the longest day of the year, celebrate the abundance of the coastal landscape, and reconnect with the wisdom of the wild.

Our evening will begin with a gentle walk to the last trail before the Morris Island Lighthouse, where the salt marsh meets the sea and the spirit of the Lowcountry reveals itself. Along the way, you'll learn about yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), North America's only native caffeinated plant and a revered ceremonial tea of Indigenous peoples throughout the Southeast.

Together we will share a freshly prepared cup of roasted yaupon tea while sitting in community, listening to the rhythm of the ocean, and reflecting on the themes of the Summer Solstice—growth, gratitude, abundance, and renewal. Through guided reflection, nature connection, and ceremony, you'll be invited to slow down, open your senses, and remember your place within the living ecosystem.

This experience is perfect for herbalists, nature lovers, seekers, and anyone longing to deepen their connection to the coastal landscape and the medicine of place.

What to Expect

• Guided walk to the last trail before the Morris Island Lighthouse
• Introduction to the history, ecology, and traditional uses of yaupon holly
• Freshly brewed yaupon tea ceremony
• Guided meditation and Summer Solstice reflection
• Time for connection, community, and sunset contemplation

What to Bring

• Water bottle
• Beach chair or blanket
• Journal (optional)
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
• An open heart

Come celebrate the turning of the season and experience the ancient tradition of sharing tea beneath the summer sky as we honor the wild medicine growing all around us.

Location: Folly Beach, South Carolina
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Hosted by: April Punsalan, Botanist, Herbalist, and Founder of Wild Herb Academy