Planning a trip or just curious about Swedish culture? Understanding the Sweden bank holidays and public holidays in Sweden is your first step. This Swedish holiday calendar is your key to experiencing Swedish culture, from unique Easter Sweden food traditions to the magical Christmas in Sweden. Let’s explore the complete Swedish public holidays list and the rich Swedish traditions that make these bank closing days in Sweden so special.
Public Holidays in Sweden: Complete Dates
Here is the official list of Swedish holidays for 2025, 2026, and the projected dates for 2027.
Sweden Bank Holidays for 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 6 Jan | Monday | Epiphany |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 20 Apr | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| 21 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Thursday | May Day |
| 29 May | Thursday | Ascension Day Sweden 2025 |
| 6 Jun | Friday | National Day |
| 8 Jun | Sunday | Whit Sunday Sweden 2025 |
| 21 Jun | Saturday | Midsummer Day |
| 1 Nov | Saturday | All Saints’ Day Sweden |
| 25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Friday | St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) |
Sweden Bank Holidays for 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 6 Jan | Tuesday | Epiphany |
| 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 Apr | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| 6 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Friday | May Day |
| 14 May | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 24 May | Sunday | Whit Sunday |
| 6 Jun | Saturday | National Day |
| 20 Jun | Saturday | Midsummer Day |
| 31 Oct | Saturday | All Saints’ Day |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Saturday | St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) |
Read More: Portugal Bank Holidays
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Sweden Bank Holidays for 2027
Please note: The 2027 dates are an estimate and will be confirmed officially later.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 6 Jan | Wednesday | Epiphany |
| 26 Mar | Friday | Good Friday |
| 28 Mar | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| 29 Mar | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 1 May | Saturday | May Day |
| 6 May | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 16 May | Sunday | Whit Sunday |
| 6 Jun | Sunday | National Day |
| 26 Jun | Saturday | Midsummer Day |
| 6 Nov | Saturday | All Saints’ Day |
| 25 Dec | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Sunday | St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) |
Major Swedish Holiday Traditions Explained
Beyond the dates, the real magic lies in the celebrations. Swedish holidays are deeply woven into the fabric of life and the changing seasons.
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Easter in Sweden: While Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are official public holidays in Sweden, the real fun happens on Easter Eve. This is when children dress up as witches and trade drawings for candy! The Easter food traditions in Sweden are also a highlight, featuring a smörgåsbord of herring, salmon, and eggs.
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Midsummer Sweden: This is arguably the most iconic of all Swedish traditions. The official holiday is Midsummer Day, but the main event is Midsummer Eve celebrations in Sweden. If you’re wondering how to celebrate midsummer in Sweden, imagine dancing around a maypole, wearing a flower crown, singing traditional songs, and enjoying the first new potatoes of the year. It’s a joyful celebration of light and summer.
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Christmas in Sweden: Swedes celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve (24th December), which is a de facto holiday. The main festivities include a julbord (Christmas smörgåsbord) and the eagerly awaited arrival of Jultomten (the Christmas Gnome) with presents. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are then spent relaxing with family.
Other Important Days & Observances in Sweden
The Swedish calendar is also filled with observances, Sweden and De Facto Holiday days. While not official Red Days in Sweden, they are an important part of the social rhythm.
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Walpurgis Night (30 April): A half holiday where people celebrate the arrival of spring with bonfires and choir singing, leading directly into May Day.
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All Saints’ Eve (31 October):Â Unlike Halloween, this is a more solemn day for remembering departed relatives, marked by lighting candles in cemeteries.
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Mother’s Day and Father’s Day: These family-centric days are popular observances in Sweden but are not public holidays.
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Advent Sunday, Sweden: The four Sundays before Christmas mark the start of the Advent season, with many lighting a candle each week.
Also Read: England Bank Holidays
FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between a public holiday and a “de facto” holiday?
Yes, there is a key difference. A public holiday (red day) is officially recognized by law. A de facto holiday is not official, but it is so widely treated as a day off that most workplaces and schools are closed. Examples include Christmas Eve and Midsummer Eve.
Q2. Are public holidays in Sweden paid?
Yes. Most employees in Sweden are entitled to paid time off on official public holidays in Sweden. The specific rules can be outlined in collective bargaining agreements.
Q3. When is the next bank holiday in Sweden?
Based on the Sweden holiday calendar, you can easily find the next upcoming date. For instance, after New Year’s Day, the next Swedish bank holiday in 2025 is Epiphany on January 6th.
Sources & Official Information:
For the most authoritative source, always check the official parliamentary website. Visit riksdagen.se for the dates. You can also find more context on the Wikipedia page.
From the quiet reflection of All Saints’ Day in Sweden to the exuberant Midsummer Eve celebrations in Sweden, the Swedish holiday calendar offers a beautiful blend of tradition and seasonal celebration. We hope this guide to Sweden bank holidays for 2026 and beyond helps you plan your activities and perhaps even incorporate a few Swedish traditions into your own life.
Looking for other international calendars? Explore our guides on German bank holidays and Greek bank holidays.
