How Do Swedish People Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve?

Sweden during the winter holidays is a magical mix of ancient traditions, hearty feasts, and a few quirky customs that might surprise you. This means that you’re planning to be in Sweden around Christmas and New Year, you’re in for an amazing treat.

In today’s article, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about Swedes and their winter celebrations, from the iconic St. Lucia processions to the much-anticipated Disney special on Christmas Eve (yes, it’s a thing!). So, grab a warm cup of glögg and read on!

How is Christmas celebrated in Sweden?

Swedes like to start early with the celebrations, so they won’t wait for the actual Christmas Day to let the magic happen.

Instead, just like in most countries in the region, the Yuletide season begins with Advent. But Swedes push the envelope even further by gathering at the end of November for a pre-party and a good time in anticipation of the even better ones that are coming. This celebration is known as a glöggmingel, a relaxed get-together with friends.

Then, starting four Sundays before Christmas, Swedes light a new candle each week in a four-candle arrangement, often placed in an evergreen wreath (see the photo above).

This tradition, called Första Advent, brings families together to celebrate with coffee, saffron buns (lussekatter), and maybe a and a steaming cup of spiced wine.

St. Lucia’s Day: A Festival of Light

One of the most unique Swedish Christmas traditions is St. Lucia’s Day, celebrated on December 13. This day honors St. Lucia, a Christian martyr who became a symbol of hope and light during Sweden’s dark winters.

Millions of Swedes wake up early to watch the national SVT television broadcast of the Lucia choir singing traditional hymns.

Expect to see young girls dressed in white gowns with red sashes, carrying candles and singing traditional hymns. The “Lucia” of each group wears a crown of candles (don’t worry, they’re usually battery-powered now) and leads the procession.

This is being true to how the young St. Lucia placed candles in her hair so that her hands would be free to carry food into the catacombs where persecuted Christians hid.

Fun fact: boys participate too, often dressed as star boys (stjärngossar) or little elves (tomtenissar).

This is also the day you are expected to eat your weight in those saffron buns I mentioned earlier, along with plenty of gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor).

Christmas Eve: The Big Day

While many countries focus on Christmas Day (December 25th) for the main celebration during the holiday season, Swedes do most of theirs on Christmas Eve (Julafton).

The festivities usually start in the afternoon, when much of the nation pauses at 3 PM to watch “Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul” (Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas). This Disney special has been a beloved tradition since 1959.Don’t ask why – it just is.

After Donald Duck, families exchange gifts, often delivered by Jultomten (Santa Claus).

But in some homes, you might also encounter Julbocken (the Christmas goat), a figure with roots in pagan mythology. In some regions, people even dress up as goats, singing songs and playing pranks – a tradition known as Julebukking. At the very least, expect to see some goats made out of straw in front of the Swedish Christmas trees.

Today, the most famous goat is the massive straw Gävlebocken built in the city of Gävle. It is famous mostly because someone almost always tries to illegally burn it down before Christmas arrives.

Julbord: The Ultimate Christmas Feast

On Christmas morning, people traditionally attend the Christmas church services. Then there’s the “Julbord” – the much-awaited buffet where you will find a plethora of amazing traditional (and not-so-traditional dishes that you will enjoy with friends and family).

Here’s what you can expect to find on the table during this time:

• Jukskinka: Christmas ham, often baked with a mustard crust.
• Janssons Frestelse (Jansson’s Temptation): A rich, creamy potato and sprat casserole.
• Pickled herring: Served in various sauces, from mustard to dill.
• Gravlax: Cured salmon with dill and mustard sauce.
• Meatballs and sausages: Because no Swedish meal is complete without them.
• Lutfisk: A gelatinous fish dish that’s… an acquired taste.
• Risgrynsgröt: A sweet rice porridge dessert. Tradition dictates hiding a single almond inside, and whoever finds it is said to marry next.
• More sweets: Don’t forget the gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor) and saffron buns!
• Julmust: A spiced holiday soda so popular that Coca-Cola sales plummet in Sweden every December.

Of course, this feast wouldn’t be complete without one (or more) steaming cups of glögg, Sweden’s answer to mulled wine. Served with almonds and raisins, it’s the perfect way to wash down all that delicious food. If you still can…

I say that because I still remember my first Swedish Julbord – the sheer variety of dishes was overwhelming but delicious. By the end, I was so full I could barely manage a sip of glögg!

And just to make sure that you don’t miss anything and you do your own part when it comes to impressing your friends or your loved ones, make sure to check out my article where I shared how to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in Swedish.

How is the New Year celebrated in Sweden?

When it comes to ringing in the New Year, Swedes know how to throw a party. The evening typically starts with an elegant shellfish dinner – think lobster, crayfish, and oysters – paired with champagne and, you guessed it, more glögg.

At a few minutes before midnight, many Swedes tune in for a dramatic reading of the poem “Nyårsklockan” (Ring Out, Wild Bells), broadcast live from Stockholm.

As the clock strikes midnight, church bells ring, fireworks light up the sky, sparkling wine or champagne fills up the glasses, and the real party begins, lasting until early in the morning.

On New Year’s Day, Swedes participate in a popular but modern tradition. January 1st is the biggest pizza delivery day of the year in Sweden. Everyone orders a kebab pizza and nurses their hangover by watching the 1982 British film Ivanhoe on TV3. I absolutely love this!

But apart from this, I wouldn’t say that the Swedish celebration of the New Year is much different from what happens in other countries – both in Scandinavia and all over the world.

Tjugondag Knut: The Grand Finale

Think the holiday season ends on January 1 with pizza? Not in Sweden!

The festivities stretch all the way to January 13, known as Tjugondag Knut (Twentieth Day Knut). This is when Swedes officially say goodbye to Christmas by taking down their decorations and, in many households, indulging in a final feast to finish off any leftover sweets and treats.

Usually, since there are no leftovers in sight, a new feast is set up just for this occasion.

Also, children sing songs while “plundering”’” the Christmas tree of its edible ornaments, a tradition known as Julgransplundring. It’s a bittersweet farewell to the holiday season but done with plenty of joy (and sweets!).

Quick Tips for Celebrating the Winter Holidays in Sweden

If you’re lucky enough to spend the holidays in Sweden, here are a few quick tips to make them even better:

• Visit Christmas Markets: Stockholm’s Gamla Stan and Gothenburg’s Liseberg are magical during the season.
• Dress Warm: Swedish winters are no joke. Bundle up with layers, scarves, and sturdy boots.
• Practice Your Swedish: A heartfelt “God Jul!” (Merry Christmas) or “Gott Nytt År!” (Happy New Year) will go a long way.
• Plan your alcohol shopping. Anything stronger than 3.5% must be bought at the state-run Systembolaget, which has strict holiday hours. Do not leave this to the last minute.
• Prepare for the dark. Stockholm gets about six hours of daylight in December, and the far north gets zero. Plan your sightseeing accordingly.

Now that you’ve learned the essentials for celebrating the Swedish winter festivities, it’s appropriate to wish you:

Ha en bra vinterledighet ! (Have a great winter vacation!)

Have you experienced Swedish Christmas or New Year celebrations? Share your favorite traditions or tips in the comments below – I’d love to hear your stories!