Stockholm - National holidays
25th March -
Annunciation Day.
It is no longer an official holiday and also known as Våffeldagen or Waffle
Day. Why this day became a day of eating Swedish waffles is not
certain.
30th April
It is an important day to keep in mind because it is the Eve of
Walpurgis and it is King Carl Gustaf XVI's birthday. In the evening big
bonfires are lit all over Sweden as a celebration of the return of spring.
On this night, winter gives way to spring and darkness is replaced by light.
Tradition says that on this important and magical night, bonfires are lit to
scare off the witches and other evil spirits so that spring would not be
threatened by their presence. Traditional Swedish songs are sung around the
bonfires. Bonfires are lit in most neighborhoods.
May
Last Sunday in May is Mother's day.
June
The 6th of June is Sweden's National Flag Day. This is not an official
holiday, but many buildings will fly the Swedish flag in celebration.
Midsummer
One of the most loved holidays in Sweden is Midsummer. Since 1952 this
holiday has not a fixed date. It is celebrated the weekend after the summer
solstice (June 21). After a long, dark and cold winter, the celebration of
Life at Midsummer was much longed for and joyful event. Events and
traditions around Midsummer are all part of a grand tribute to summer,
light, love, fertility and healing.
August - Crayfish parties "Kräftor"
The eating of crayfish has expanded into a ritual meal surrounded by all
manner of accessories, preferably with an authentic full moon thrown in. It
is not an old custom. About 100 years ago the eating of crayfish was banned
until late summer and their return to the table in late August became a
cause of celebration so the crayfish party was born.
November - Father's day
2nd Sunday in November
December - Nobel Day
10th DecemberThe Swedes really make the most of Christmas, coming as it does
in the middle of their cold and dark winter. The Christmas season is
not quite over until the 20th day after Christmas day, when the decorations
are removed from the tree which is then thrown out into the snow.
December 13 - St Lucia Day
It represents the beginning of the festive season. This Swedish tradition is
celebrated in many Swedish homes, schools, offices, hospitals etc. when
early in the morning a Queen of Light (as the 13th is said to be the longest
and darkest day of the year) together with her pretty young maidens, will
appear. There are many tales about how St. Lucia came to Sweden. One legend
states that she was originally the patron of Syracuse and dies a martyr's
death in 304AD. Sweden started to celebrate Lucia around the middle of the
18th century. Lucia is dressed in a white gown with a red satin waist. Upon
her head she wears a crown of candles. She is followed by her maidens,
"tärnor," also dressed in white. They advance in lines and sometimes you
will see boys in white with paper cone hats, "stjängossar," little Santa
Clauses and gingerbread men. They sing traditional carols and bring coffee,
gingersnaps and buns with saffron to the house they are caroling.
1st Januay - New Year's Day
6th January - Epiphany
March/April - Good Friday /Easter/Easter Monday
1st May - May Day
Middle/end May - Ascension Day
May/June - White Sunday
End of June - Midsummer's Day
October/November - All Saints' Day
24th December - Christmas Eve
25th December - Christmas Day
26th December - Boxing Day
31st December - New Year's Eve
