Key holidays include Christmas, Easter and New Year, others that practically everyone recognizes around the world, yet it also has its peculiar days, such as Midsummer’s Day, one of the biggest festivals of the country, and National Day which is celebrated on June 6. State holidays also feature Epiphany, All Saints Day or All Hallows Day and Walpurgis Night. In contrast, holidays like Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve though not legally recognized as public holidays, are practiced unpaid leave and time off work as per the bargaining (Norden.se).
Midsommar, which is celebrated in late June, is arguably the largest holiday in Sweden and every Swede looks forward to the festival. It's a huge celebration marking the beginning of summer when people dance around the maypole, eat traditional dishes such as pickled herring and there is lots of excitement. The national day is celebrated on the 6th of June each year and it is dedicated to Swedish identity by depicting different voyages, decorations of activities among the citizens of Sweden.
Another special occasion includes Christmas where the countdown starts with the period of Christmas Advent and December 13 which is St. Lucia's Day; it is marked by processions and lighting of candles. Christmas breakfast is the centerpiece of the celebration where all members of the family come together to eat the customary one and to share presents (Norden.se).
Other occasions such as the All Saints’ Day in the month of November or the Epiphany on the sixth of January are normally associated with Christianity and have a ceremonial mood searching for the past. National festivals in Sweden provide unique insight into the intermingling of history, religion, and national pride in the particular region.
All public holidays in Sweden 2025
January
- 2025-01-01 : New Year's Day, Wednesday, week 1
- 2025-01-06 : Epiphany, Monday, week 2
April
- 2025-04-18 : Good Friday, Friday, week 16
- 2025-04-20 : Easter Sunday, Sunday, week 16
- 2025-04-21 : Easter Monday, Monday, week 17
May
- 2025-05-01 : Labor Day, Thursday, week 18
- 2025-05-29 : Ascension Day, Thursday, week 22
June
- 2025-06-06 : National Day of Sweden, Friday, week 23
- 2025-06-08 : Whit Sunday, Sunday, week 23
- 2025-06-21 : Midsummer's Day, Saturday, week 25
November
- 2025-11-01 : All Saints' Day, Saturday, week 44
December
- 2025-12-25 : Christmas Day, Thursday, week 52
- 2025-12-26 : Boxing Day, Friday, week 52
Happy holidays!
