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Trettondagen (Epiphany) – January 6

Trettondagen falls on January 6, 13 (Tretton) days after Christmas. It is an official day off. In other parts of the world on January 6, Epiphany is considered the last day of the Christmas season.

Tjugondedag knut – January 13

On January 13, 20 (tjugo) days after Christmas, the Christmas season in Sweden is closed. It is also the name day of Knut. The last dance is danced around the Christmas tree and then the tree is “plundered”. Children often get bags of candy.

Valentines day

As in many other countries it is also increasingly done in Sweden. Gifts or flowers are given to loved ones, or you invite someone to dinner. Cards are also sent to close friends.

Fettisdagen (literally fat Tuesday)

Long ago one fasted for 40 days prior to Easter. The days prior to fasting were the last chance to eat something fat to have some reserves. Among other things they ate semlor (also called fettisdagsbullar or fastlagsbullar) which are rolls with whipped cream and sugar. The tradition of fasting may have been gone but the semlor have remained.

Vårdagsjämningen – 20 or 21 March

On that date, the last day and night are equally long. It is the beginning of the spring period, keeping it from becoming longer than light.

Våffeldagen (literally wafeldag) – March 25

On March 25, many Swedes get their waffle iron out and waffles are baked and eaten. This tradition actually originated by mistake: actually celebrated earlier Vårfrudagen (Our Lady day), but this day was also called Våffeldagen. Våffeldagen falls every year on March 25 and is in other countries known as the Annunciation, the announcement of the birth of Jesus to Mary. This day is not a holiday in Sweden.

Påsk (Easter) – March or April

On skärtorsdagen (Holy Thursday) påskkärringar go knocking on doors. These are children dressed as a witch, she wishes Happy Easter (Glad Påsk) with drawings or maps and get to most addresses candy in their baskets. Once thought that skärtorsdagen all witches on their brooms to steal flew Blåkulla. Also in Sweden decorated with Easter eggs. Furthermore, they often decorate the house with twigs and colored feathers. Good Friday (långfredagen) and both Easter days are public holidays.

Valborgsmässoafton – April 30

It is celebrated that winter is finally over and that spring has arrived. Huge Valborgsmässo bonfires are lit, around which friends eat, drink and sing. It used to be a special day for farmers: on 1 May, the cattle was always first out; until 30 April, they worked to bring all the fences and hedges around the fields in order; evening a big bonfire was lit to hunt evil spirits back into the woods, so the cattle could safely stand in the meadows.

Moreover, it is the birthday of Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf on April 30th!

May 1st

Since 1907 schoolchildren sell May flowers to raise money for children who are poor. It is also the day of work; since 1890 is being demonstrated for better working conditions. Since spring is well underway the weather is usually nice and many Swedes go out on this day off.

Ascension Day – May 9

Today, especially a nice day off. Before the day was also the first day of fishing or swimming. If the fish bite well at a particular time, the fish would the rest of the summer at the same time also bite well.

Pingst (Pentecost) – may

Even people who normally rarely come into the church, visit the church at Pentecost. Pentecost is now is the moment when many married and there are often confirmations. Since 2005 the 2nd Day of Pentecost is not an official day more.

Swedens national day & Day of the Swedish flag – June 6

Since 1916 is celebrated on June 6, the day of the Swedish flag. Across the country, the flag is raised and the King shares flags in Skansen. Of course, the national anthem sung: “Du Gamla, Du Fria”. The colours of the Swedish flag symbolize the sun and sky. The date June 6 is the day when Gustav Vasa was elected king in 1523. This day is also the name day of Gustav, the King.

Midsommarafton (midsummer night) – Around June 21

Midsummer Night is celebrated on the Friday that falls closest to June 21st. The solstice is celebrated. It is after Christmas the most important holiday for the Swedes. It is a real exteriors and Swedes flock to the summer house of their relatives in the countryside. There is celebrated under the open sky festival. Everywhere in the country meibomen decorated with leaves and flowers and danced in a circle around it, usually accompanied by violin, accordion, guitar and wind instruments. The following Saturday called midsommardagen (Midsummer).

Last day of school and summer holidays

The last day of school, all students and teachers go to the church. After that there is a party with singing and lectures. The summer was until recently a vacation that Swedes took two months off to compensate for the long dark and cold winter. Today Swedes still take a relatively long vacation (4-6 weeks) starting shortly after Midsommarafton. Then they stay in their Sommarstuga, which is a simple summer house (sometimes without toilet with running water, heating or electricity) that has been around for many decades in the family.

Kräftskivor / kräftfester (lobster feasts) – august

In August, many lobster feasts are organized. Crayfish are caught or purchased and eaten during a feast with brandy and other alcoholic beverages with loud singing drinking songs. This kind of drinking songs is not restricted to students as in other countries; everyone knows the songs and is considered to sing along. This is a traditional festival with ready-made sets of bells, lanterns, tablecloth lobster, lobster napkins and paper plates. The lobsters are eaten with the hands, which is quite a splash, which is why one often has a plastic apron.

All Saints day – around November 1st

With the Saints stabbing Sweden lightly in the cemeteries. A nice tradition to think anything extra to the loved ones who are no longer alive.

Today in the previous week, particularly on Friday evenings, also celebrated Halloween. Then children go through the door for buss eller Godis (vice or candy).

Lucia Day (Lucia Festival) – December 13

A girl from each school is chosen as Lucia. She wears a long white dress with red sash and a crown on the head with burning candles. She walks in front in a procession with other girls and boys and they sing the Lucia song about the return of light after the darkest days of the year. With Lucia coffee is complemented with pepparkakor (thin gingerbread cookies) and lussekatter (saffron buns). The feast is celebrated in the family circle, in schools, offices, factories, hospitals, retirement homes, etc.

Julafton (Christmas Eve) – December 24

Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year. Many houses have Christmas decorations and lights. The Christmas tree is usually only taken in shortly before Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve one can dine at restaraunts the traditional julbord (Christmas table). Typical dishes include roast reindeer, herring, salmon and Swedish variant of mulled wine “Glogg”. A Julbord can consist of 60 dishes; Booking in advance is advised to be guaranteed a place.

All children await Jultomten (Father Christmas) who comes with presents on December 24th. The packages are often already unpacked at 14 o’clock and then the invariably compilation of Disney cartoons is viewed at the public TV channels.

At midnight most people often attend the midnight mass in church.

Juldagen & Annandag Jul (1st and 2nd Christmas Day)

Many Swedes go to the early 1st Christmas Day church service (julåtta). 2nd Day is for most just an extra day off. On that day also the sale begins and it is quite busy in the stores: this Mellandagsrea (between days Sale) lasts until January 1st.

Nyårsafton (New Year’s Eve) – December 31

Just before noon one watches TV to listen to Edvard Fredins translation of Alfred Tennyson’s poem New Year’s bells (Nyårsklockan) on the Solliden stage at Skansen. At noon followed by New Year’s wishes (and resolutions) and of course fireworks.