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This question is distinct from other questions which ask how and when to begin Shabbat, etc. when there is no sunset. I am asking about places in which sunset occurs very late during certain times of the year. For example, in certain very northerly places, sunset occurs as late as almost 2 a.m. during certain periods. In this case, even Plag ha-Mincha is not until 11:30 p.m. Are there any dispensations for celebrating earlier in these times/places, or at least eating earlier? What about in families with young children?

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Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/608/… – SAH Jun 5 '12 at 12:38
I'd ask the question differently: is there any obligation to daven ma'ariv, have a Friday night meal etc if you will never be awake for the zman? – user1581 Jun 5 '12 at 13:21
But don't you have to be awake for the zman, for example, to light candles? Pardon my lack of knowledge; I've only ever celebrated one Shabbos. – SAH Jun 5 '12 at 15:56
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@SAH no, you can light candles that will burn into shabbos. you don't need to light at "candle lighting time" - that's actually the latest you may light. In Anchorage, where shabbos is as you say around this time of year (in part due to DST and crazy time zones that center in Juneau), I held by the zman. A family from Scotland told me they make kiddush, have a roll and go to bed. Kids don't usually make it. And havdallah is done in the morning. – Charles Koppelman Jun 5 '12 at 16:18
@Charles Koppelman Is it OK to light candles before Plag ha-Mincha? – SAH Jun 6 '12 at 20:11
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