Sweden (SE)
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Scandinavia, the largest Nordic country by area, renowned for its breathtaking archipelago and lake-dotted landscapes, groundbreaking design and innovation culture (IKEA, Spotify, Volvo, H&M), one of the world's most generous welfare states with 480 days of paid parental leave per child, world-leading gender equality, and a deeply held philosophy of lagom — the art of balance and moderation — that permeates every aspect of Swedish society.
Capital: Stockholm
Region: Europe
Language: Swedish
Currency: SEK (kr)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 80)
Emergency: 112
Premium
Public Holidays 2026
17 holidays in Sweden. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Nyårsdagen
Public holiday. New Year's Eve (Nyårsafton, Dec 31) is celebrated with fireworks, especially in Stockholm.
Tue 6
Epiphany Public Holiday
Trettondedag jul / Trettondagen
Twelfth Night — the end of the Christmas season. Public holiday in Sweden.
April 2026
Fri 3
Good Friday Public Holiday
Långfredagen
Public holiday. Many businesses closed. The start of the Easter weekend (påsk).
Sat 4
Holy Saturday Bank Holiday
Påskafton
Not a statutory public holiday but many businesses close or have reduced hours. Easter Eve (påskafton) is when most Swedes celebrate Easter.
Sun 5
Easter Sunday Public Holiday
Påskdagen
Easter Sunday — most businesses closed.
Mon 6
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Annandag påsk
Second day of Easter — public holiday. Extended Easter weekend means many Swedes take the full week off.
May 2026
Fri 1
International Workers' Day Public Holiday
Första maj / Valborg
May Day. Also linked to Valborg (Walpurgis Night, April 30) — celebrated by students with bonfires and outdoor parties, especially in university cities like Uppsala and Lund.
Thu 14
Ascension Day Public Holiday
Kristi himmelfärdsdag
40 days after Easter. Public holiday. Often creates a long weekend when combined with Friday (klämdag).
Sun 24
Whit Sunday (Pentecost) Public Holiday
Pingstdagen
50 days after Easter. Public holiday in Sweden.
June 2026
Sat 6
National Day of Sweden Public Holiday
Sveriges nationaldag
Sweden's national day since 2005 (public holiday since 2005). Commemorates the date Gustav Vasa was elected King in 1523. Celebrated with events in parks and the royal family appearing in Stockholm. Less festive than national days in other countries — Swedes often say Midsommar is their "real" national celebration.
Fri 19
Midsummer Eve Bank Holiday
Midsommarafton
The Friday nearest to June 24. Technically a bank holiday (not a statutory red day) but virtually the entire country shuts down. The biggest Swedish celebration of the year — dancing around the maypole (midsommarstång), picking flowers, eating herring, new potatoes, and strawberries, and drinking snaps.
Sat 20
Midsummer Day Public Holiday
Midsommardagen
The Saturday nearest to June 24. Public holiday. The peak of the Swedish summer.
October 2026
Sat 31
All Saints Day Public Holiday
Alla helgons dag
The Saturday between Oct 31 and Nov 6. Swedes visit graves of deceased family members, lighting candles and laying wreaths. A solemn occasion. Note: this is NOT Halloween — though Halloween is increasingly celebrated commercially.
December 2026
Thu 24
Christmas Eve Bank Holiday
Julafton
Not a statutory public holiday but the main day of Swedish Christmas celebration. Gift giving, julbord (Christmas buffet), and watching Donald Duck on SVT at 3pm is a Swedish tradition. Most businesses close.
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Juldagen
First day of Christmas. Public holiday.
Sat 26
Boxing Day Public Holiday
Annandag jul
Second day of Christmas. Public holiday. Christmas in Sweden is a four-day celebration.
Thu 31
New Year's Eve Bank Holiday
Nyårsafton
Not a statutory public holiday but widely treated as one. Fireworks at midnight from Skansen in Stockholm are a national televised tradition.
Note: Some holidays in Sweden apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.