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Swedish Traditions

Celebrate the Swedish way – traditions worth travelling for

Swedes love their traditions — and your clients are warmly invited to join in. Many of Sweden’s most beloved celebrations have roots in ancient pagan rituals, but today they’ve been reimagined to suit a modern, diverse lifestyle. Families, friends, restaurants, hotels, shops and entire communities all bring their own flair to the festivities.

If your clients are lucky enough to visit during Midsummer or the festive season, they’ll experience first-hand how timeless customs are celebrated with a fresh, inclusive twist. And no matter the time of year, there’s usually something delicious on the table, something beautiful happening outdoors, and someone friendly to chat to.

Swedish celebrations are a joyful mix of old and new — and there are so many ways for visitors to join the fun. This guide is a great starting point, but a local partner can always help find the most authentic experiences nearby.

Festivities to remember:

  • Semla season: from January through Easter – cardamom buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream
  • Waffle Day: 25 March – yes, it's a thing, and it’s delightful
  • Walpurgis Night: 30 April – bonfires and spring songs
  • First day of spring: 1 May – Sweden’s springtime welcome party
  • Midsummer: Midsummer’s Eve takes place on a Friday between 19–25 June – dancing, flowers, pickled herring and midnight sun
  • Crayfish season: August – messy, merry and uniquely Swedish
  • Surströmming season: August – for the adventurous eater
  • Lobster premiere: from 20 September – six weeks of seafood indulgence
  • Cinnamon Bun Day: 4 October – fika in full glory
  • St Martin’s Day (Skåne): 10 November – goose dinner and regional flair
  • Lucia: 13 December – candlelit songs and saffron buns
  • Christmas: celebrated mainly on 24 December – cosy, traditional and full of flavour

Swedens favourite celebrations

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  • Walpurgis Night (Valborg) and May Day

    On 30 April, Swedes across the country gather after dark to light bonfires and sing in the spring. This is Walpurgis Night (or Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish) – a much-loved tradition with roots in medieval folklore, now transformed into a joyful, modern celebration.

  • ‘Midsommar’ or Midsummer

    For many Swedes, Midsummer (or ‘Midsommar’ in Swedish) is the most important celebration of the year – even bigger than Christmas. It’s a joyful, flower-crowned ode to nature, light and community, with deep roots and a long-standing place in the Swedish soul.

  • Holiday Season in Sweden

    December is a magical time to experience Sweden, with festive lights twinkling across towns and cities, the scent of ginger and mulled wine in the air, and timeless traditions that bring people together.

Edible Traditions

Sweden is a fantastic place to explore food culture and culinary traditions. Beyond festive favourites like Midsummer feasts, Christmas spreads and Easter treats, there are plenty of other delicious — and sometimes delightfully quirky — ways to experience Swedish life through food. Crayfish parties and lobster season are just the beginning. All year round, your guests can discover unique regional flavours, seasonal delicacies and local rituals that turn a simple meal into a cultural celebration. In Sweden, traditions are often best tasted.
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  • Festive foods & traditional treats

    Sweden is a dream destination for food lovers – not just for the flavours, but for the quirky, charming traditions that come with them. From seasonal sweets to beloved baking rituals, your guests will find plenty to savour (and plenty to chat about over fika).

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