Sweden Public Holidays 2026
Sweden has 13 public holidays and 17 observances in 2026. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu | New Year's Day | public | |
| Mon | Twelfth Night | optional | |
| Tue | Epiphany | public | |
| Tue | Saint Knut's Day | observance | |
| Sun | Vasaloppet | observance | |
| Thu | Maundy Thursday | observance | |
| Fri | Good Friday | public | |
| Sat | Easter Saturday | observance | |
| Sun | Easter Sunday | public | |
| Mon | Easter Monday | public | |
| Thu | Walpurgis Night | optional | |
| Fri | Labour Day | public | |
| Thu | Ascension Day | public | |
| Sat | Whitsun Eve | observance | |
| Sun | Pentecost | public | |
| Mon | Whit Monday | observance | |
| Sun | Mother's Day | observance | |
| Sat | National Day | public | |
| Fri | Midsummer Eve | bank | |
| Sat | Midsummer Day | public | |
| Fri | Halloween | optional | |
| Sat | All Saints' Day | public | |
| Fri | Gustavus Adolphus Day | observance | |
| Wed | Saint Martin's Day | observance | |
| Thu | Nobel Day | observance | |
| Sun | Saint Lucy's Day | observance | |
| Thu | Christmas Eve | bank | |
| Fri | Christmas Day | public | |
| Sat | Boxing Day | public | |
| Thu | New Year's Eve | bank |
About Sweden's Holidays
Sweden has a mix of national public holidays and cultural celebrations. Public holidays give most people a day off and include New Year, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Whit Sunday, All Saints and the Christmas holidays. Work and school often close.
Midsummer and St Lucia are key cultural days. Midsummer in June is like a big outdoor party with dancing around a maypole, flowers and family gatherings. Lucia on December 13 is a candlelit procession led by a girl in a white dress, singing and bringing light in winter.
May Day and the National Day on June 6 are political and national celebrations. Many traditions blend church, seasonal customs and modern public life in Sweden.
Holiday Traditions
In Sweden people celebrate holidays with strong traditions rooted in nature, seasons, and family. Many gatherings happen at home or in parks. People decorate with flowers, candles, and sometimes flags to show togetherness and joy.
Food is important. Families share homemade dishes like pickled herring, meatballs, sweet breads, and special pastries. Coffee and cakes are common during social visits. Meals often bring everyone to the table for long, relaxed conversations.
Public celebrations are festive and peaceful. Towns hold parades, dances, and outdoor concerts. Midsummer dancing around a decorated pole and lighting candles on St Lucia are examples of joyful community rituals.
Gift giving is modest. Time with family, singing, and traditional music are treasured parts of Swedish holiday culture.
Travel Tips
Visiting Sweden during the holiday season means some shops, banks, and offices close early or for several days. Tourist spots mostly stay open, but smaller towns can be very quiet and services limited.
Public transport runs but with reduced schedules on major holidays and parts of the day. Trains and buses may be crowded before and after holidays, so book in advance for popular routes and check timetables carefully.
Air travel can be busy around Christmas and New Year. Allow extra time at airports and for transfers. Winter weather can delay travel, so plan buffer time between connections.
Bring warm clothing and pack snacks in case shops are closed. Book accommodations and tickets early and have digital copies of confirmations.