Public Holidays, Flag Days and Commemorative Days in Sweden 2026

Thursday, January 1

The first day of the year and a public holiday in Sweden. New Year's Day is a calm recovery day after the celebrations — many people watch Skansen's New Year broadcast the night before, featuring Jan Malmsjö's recitation of Alfred Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild Bells" as a traditional highlight. On New Year's Day itself, life slows down: a walk in the winter landscape, rest after the festivities. Banks, Systembolaget and most shops are closed. Public transport follows a Sunday schedule.

Tuesday, January 6

Also known as Epiphany or Three Kings' Day — celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus in Christian tradition. In Sweden, Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, although "Saint Knut's Day" (13 January) is the traditional day when the Christmas tree is "danced out". This is a public holiday and most people have the day off. Children often don't return to school until after Epiphany. Churches hold High Masses and nativity scenes remain on display.

Friday, April 3

The most solemn day of the church year — commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha. Good Friday is a public holiday in Sweden and has historically been a quiet day with a subdued atmosphere. Until 1969, public entertainment was prohibited on Good Friday, and well into the late 20th century many cinemas and restaurants closed. Today it is a peaceful start to the Easter weekend, often spent watching a long film, enjoying "påskmys" (Easter cosiness) with family, and preparing for Easter Sunday.

Sunday, April 5

The most important holiday in Christianity — celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. In Sweden, Easter Sunday is both a public holiday and an official flag day, though without the strong religious emphasis found in Southern Europe. Swedish families focus on traditions: decorated Easter eggs filled with sweets for children, Easter lunch with pickled herring, eggs and cured salmon, and "påskkärringar" (Easter witches) — young children dressing up on Maundy Thursday. Homes are decorated with birch branches and colourful feathers.

Monday, April 6

The second day of Easter and a public holiday in Sweden. Easter Monday is traditionally a calmer family day after Easter Sunday's big meal and festivities. Many Swedes use the opportunity to go to their summer cottage, take a longer walk in the spring sunshine, or visit relatives and friends. In Stockholm and other cities, shops often open with limited hours on Easter Monday. Easter break continues for schoolchildren until the following weekend.

Friday, May 1

International Workers' Day and a public holiday in Sweden since 1939. May Day is both a political demonstration day and the first proper spring outing. The labour movement, Social Democrats and Left Party organise demonstration marches and speeches in cities across the country — Hjalmar Branting gave his first speech in 1890 in Gävle. At the same time, many see the day as the start of spring and outdoor season: picnics in the park, the first barbecue, and the first spring walk. Lund's student carnival and Uppsala's Walpurgis celebration the night before contribute to the festive mood.

Thursday, May 14

Celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday and always on a Thursday — commemorating Jesus's ascension to heaven after the resurrection. Ascension Day is a public holiday in Sweden, and the Friday after is Sweden's single most popular "squeeze day" (klämdag) — the klämdag par excellence. Many workplaces offer a day off or half-day on Friday, giving the entire country a spontaneous 4-day break. The traditional "gökotta" — an early morning walk to hear the cuckoo — is celebrated in many places, especially in Västmanland and Uppland.

Sunday, May 24

Pentecost is celebrated 49 days after Easter Sunday and is the third major Christian holiday, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles according to the Acts of the Apostles. In Sweden, Whit Monday was a public holiday until 2005, when it was replaced by the Swedish National Day (6 June). Today only Pentecost Sunday is a red day. Pentecost is traditionally popular for baptisms, confirmations and weddings. Birch leaves and early summer greenery adorn churches and homes.

Saturday, June 6

Sweden's National Day commemorates both the election of Gustav Vasa as king in 1523 and the constitution of 1809. The day has been celebrated since 1916 but only became a public holiday in 2005, when Whit Monday was abolished. The royal family participates in celebrations at Skansen in Stockholm, where the king and queen present citizenship certificates to new Swedes. Across the country, flag-raising ceremonies, citizenship ceremonies in town halls and folk costumes are common. However, 6 June 2026 falls on a Saturday, meaning no extra day off this year.

Friday, June 19

Sweden's most beloved tradition and effectively a public holiday, even though the law defines Midsummer's Eve as a working day. Most workplaces close completely or offer a half-day. Stockholm empties — everyone heads to the countryside. The maypole is raised and decorated with birch branches and flowers, then everyone dances "Små grodorna" (the little frogs) around it. Midsummer lunch features pickled herring, new potatoes with dill, sour cream, chives, strawberries with cream, and snaps with singing. The custom of picking seven flowers and placing them under your pillow to dream of your future partner is classic.

Saturday, June 20

The Saturday after Midsummer's Eve and the official public holiday. Historically Midsummer was celebrated on the fixed date of 24 June (Saint John the Baptist's birthday), but in 1953 the celebration was moved to the nearest Saturday between 20 and 26 June to give Swedes a long weekend. The main celebration happens on Midsummer's Eve, so Midsummer's Day itself is often a day of rest, swimming, boat trips, or a coffee break with family. "Midsummer crudités" and leftovers from the previous day's feast are common.

Saturday, October 31

All Saints' Day is always celebrated on a Saturday between 31 October and 6 November. It is Sweden's day of remembrance for deceased loved ones. Graveyards are illuminated by thousands of torches and candles, and many families visit relatives' graves. The atmosphere is contemplative and serene. Memorial services are held in churches. The weekend differs from the more commercialised Halloween (the evening before) which has grown in popularity among children during the 2000s. All Saints' Day became a public holiday in 1953.

Thursday, December 24

Sweden's most important family day and effectively the country's biggest holiday. Although Christmas Eve is legally a working day ("afton"), for most Swedes it is the real Christmas Day. The traditions are ancient and well preserved: Donald Duck at 3 pm on SVT has been a tradition since 1960, bringing millions of families together in front of the TV. The Christmas smörgåsbord with pickled herring, Jansson's Temptation, Christmas ham, meatballs, lutfisk and sausages forms the base. In the evening "Tomten" (Santa) arrives with presents, often played by a family member or neighbour.

Friday, December 25

The second-biggest holiday in the Christian Church after Easter — celebrating the birth of Jesus. In Sweden, Christmas Day is celebrated more quietly than Christmas Eve. Traditionally one goes to "julotta" early in the morning (often 7 am), one of the year's most attended services with candles and Christmas hymns. The rest of the day is a peaceful family day with leftovers from the Christmas smörgåsbord, walks, playing with new presents, and perhaps a Christmas film on TV. Many churches also hold children's services in the afternoon.

Saturday, December 26

The third day of the Christmas season and a public holiday in Sweden. On Boxing Day (Annandag jul) it is a tradition to attend "mellandagsrea" — stores open with big sales and it is one of the year's busiest shopping days (when it falls on a weekday). However in 2026 it falls on a Saturday, meaning no extra weekday holiday. Otherwise Boxing Day is a popular day for visiting relatives, ice skating and winter excursions. Many ice hockey matches are played and Tjejvasan cross-country ski preparations are in full swing.

Thursday, December 31

The last day of the year — legally a working day but in practice a half-day or full day off at most workplaces. New Year's Eve is traditionally celebrated with a twelve-course dinner at home or in a restaurant, followed by the stroke of midnight when champagne corks pop and fireworks light up the sky across the country. Skansen's New Year broadcast on TV has been an institution since the 1970s, with Jan Malmsjö's recitation of "Ring Out, Wild Bells" as an emotional climax. The bells of Gustaf Vasa Church in Stockholm mark the turn of the year.

Wednesday, January 28

King Carl XVI Gustaf's name day in the Swedish name-day calendar. This is an official flag day when the Swedish flag is raised on state and municipal buildings. The king is quietly honoured at the Royal Palace, and the day expresses respect for the monarchy as head of state. The blue-and-yellow flag is clearly visible on public buildings across the country.

Saturday, February 14

Valentine's Day (Alla hjärtans dag) became a Swedish tradition in the 1960s through American influence. The day is marked by giving flowers (especially red roses), chocolate or handwritten love notes to someone you care about. Restaurants and florists see major business, and it is one of the busiest flower-sales days of the year. The day is neither a public holiday nor a flag day, but a significant commercial and romantic occasion.

Sunday, March 8

UN International Women's Day is observed to highlight women's rights, gender equality and feminist progress. In Sweden, demonstrations, lectures and seminars are organised by Kvinnofronten (Women's Front), trade unions and various women's organisations. The day has been observed in Sweden since 1972 and is especially noted by the labour movement and in educational contexts. Red carnations are a recurring symbol.

Thursday, March 12

Crown Princess Victoria's name day in the Swedish name-day calendar. Official flag day when the Swedish flag is raised. Crown Princess Victoria is the heir apparent and has taken an active role in official Sweden through her visits and engagements. The day is quietly celebrated at Haga Palace where she and Prince Daniel live with their children Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar.

Thursday, April 30

One of Sweden's most beloved traditions — a celebration of spring. Large Walpurgis bonfires are lit across the country, traditionally to drive away winter and evil spirits. In university cities like Uppsala and Lund, the day is a gigantic student party — putting on the student cap at 3 pm by the Gunilla Bell in Uppsala, boat racing on the Fyris River, champagne breakfast and choir singing ("Sjung om studentens lyckliga dag"). In the evening, people gather around the bonfires with torchlight processions and spring speeches. The day is also the King's Birthday (see below) but is celebrated mainly as the arrival of spring.

Thursday, April 30

King Carl XVI Gustaf's birthday, born 1946 — turns 80 in 2026, a particularly significant celebration. Official flag day when the Swedish flag is raised on all public buildings. The king receives congratulations at the Royal Palace in Stockholm with ceremonial guard changes and formal greetings. The day coincides with Walpurgis Night, giving double reason to celebrate — spring festival and royal occasion on the same day.

Saturday, May 9

Europe Day commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, when French foreign minister Robert Schuman presented the proposal that became the foundation of today's EU. Sweden joined the EU in 1995. The day is marked by EU information campaigns, open days at EU institutions and educational materials in schools. It is not a flag day in Sweden but the European flag is visible on EU-related buildings.

Sunday, May 31

Mother's Day (Mors dag) is always celebrated on the last Sunday of May in Sweden, unlike in the US where it falls on the second Sunday of May. The tradition came to Sweden in 1919 and has become an important family day. Children give their mother flowers (often peonies or lilacs), handmade cards and breakfast in bed. Restaurants are fully booked for brunch and flower sales peak. Cafés often arrange family lunch with grandmother, mother and children.

Tuesday, July 14

Crown Princess Victoria's birthday, born 1977. Officially celebrated at Solliden on Öland, where the royal family spends the summer. Thousands gather on Borgholm's harbour square to congratulate the Crown Princess. It is one of Sweden's most attended royal events, with folk costumes, flower offerings and public festivities. Broadcast live on SVT. Official flag day.

Saturday, August 8

Queen Silvia's name day in the Swedish name-day calendar. Official flag day. Queen Silvia, née Sommerlath in 1943 in Germany, has been queen since her marriage to King Carl XVI Gustaf in 1976. She is engaged in a number of charitable organisations, especially the World Childhood Foundation, which works against child abuse and sexual exploitation of children.

Saturday, October 24

The United Nations Day celebrates the adoption of the UN Charter in 1945 after the Second World War. Sweden is a founding member of the UN and has always had a strong engagement in UN work, especially in peacekeeping operations and development aid. The day is marked in schools with themed weeks on human rights, and the Swedish flag is raised together with the UN flag on UN-associated buildings. Official flag day since 1948.

Friday, November 6

In memory of King Gustav II Adolf who fell at the Battle of Lützen on 6 November 1632, during the Thirty Years' War. He was one of Sweden's most significant kings and is considered one of the founders of modern warfare. The day is especially celebrated in Gothenburg, which he founded in 1621 — "Gustav Adolfs pastry" with his silhouette in marzipan is sold in bakeries on this day and is a uniquely Swedish tradition. Official flag day.

Sunday, November 8

Father's Day (Fars dag) is always celebrated on the second Sunday of November in Sweden, unlike many other countries where it falls in June. The Swedish tradition was established in 1931. Children give their father flowers, handmade cards and breakfast in bed. The day is significantly less commercialised than Mother's Day but valuable for families. Many celebrate with a Sunday dinner at home or in a restaurant.

Thursday, December 10

On Nobel Day the Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm and Oslo — the physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and economics prizes in Stockholm Concert Hall, the peace prize in Oslo City Hall. The ceremony takes place on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death in 1896. The Nobel Banquet at the City Hall the same evening is one of Sweden's most prestigious events, with the royal family as hosts, 1,300 guests, and a decade of menu planning. Broadcast live on SVT. Official flag day.

Sunday, December 13

Lucia Day is one of Sweden's most unique traditions and is celebrated in schools, churches, workplaces and homes across the country. Lucia — dressed in a white gown with a red sash and crown of candles on her head — leads a procession of attendants, star boys, tomten and gingerbread men. The songs "Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring" and "Staffan stalledräng" are sung. Lussekatter (saffron buns), gingerbread and glögg are served. The tradition has roots in the Italian saint Lucia of Syracuse but was given its Swedish form during the 20th century.

Wednesday, December 23

Queen Silvia's birthday, born 1943 — turns 83 in 2026. Official flag day when the Swedish flag is raised. The queen is quietly honoured at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. This day coincides with the lead-up to Christmas, so the celebration is often more private than other royal flag days. The Swedish flag is nonetheless visible across the country.

Thursday, January 1

Tuesday, January 6

Friday, April 3

Sunday, April 5

Monday, April 6

Friday, May 1

Thursday, May 14

Sunday, May 24

Saturday, June 6

Friday, June 19

Saturday, June 20

Saturday, October 31

Thursday, December 24

Friday, December 25

Saturday, December 26

Thursday, December 31