provided by Festivals and Events in Sweden
There’s no better place than Sweden for exciting traditional festivals are year round! Sweden offers some of the most stunning celebrations that are open the public and travelers from all walks of life. Sweden has a rich and lively culture steeped in the Scandinavian tradition of Baltic Sea Vikings, opulent Monarchies, and rural pageants and harvests of splendor. Get to the islands of Sweden to view the traditional costumes, or into the cities for beer and music! There’s a lot to celebrate in Sweden.
The summers in Sweden may be short, but they make up for that in richness. June comes to life around you, and Midsummer is the celebration of this verdant and exciting time of year. Every region of Sweden has its own traditional folk costumes, only worn for Midsummer celebrations. Midsummer marks the beginning of the five-week long holidays. Everyone leaves town for the country, and don’t be surprised if the major towns shut down completely. See the Maypoles and traditional dancing, and see whole families in Sweden together in celebration. Midsummer lands on a Friday, and people start this day by picking flowers to make colorful wreathes. It brings a whole new meaning to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream!
When summer in Sweden winds down, it’s time for the Crayfish Party. It takes place on a warm, peaceful night in August. The people stay outdoors as long as possible, and cook this fine Swedish delicacy for all to enjoy. Since there are restrictions on crayfish during the year to prevent over-fishing, this party is the time to indulge. Cooked in brine, with lots of crown dill, the crayfish is the best in the world. Your taste buds will never be the same.
May 1st marks the famous Walpurgis Bonfires in Sweden. The people of Sweden collect all their junk from the year, old fences, vines, and shrubs, and light them in one large collective flame; all while singing and celebrating their new freedom from the old waste. It also marks the end of the school year, so you can bet the students are really turning a new leaf! Hear the traditional choral singing, and sip on nettle soup.