Public Holidays in Sweden
Statutory public holidays in Sweden, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Sweden at a glance
Sweden’s public holidays follow the Lutheran calendar, with National Day on 6 June and Midsummer the two biggest celebrations.
Midsummer falls on the weekend nearest 24 June, and the whole country pauses for the maypole and the long light.
Sweden public holidays 2026
Sweden has 16 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Epiphany | Jan 6Tue | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| International Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Pentecost | May 24Sun | National |
| National Day of Sweden | Jun 6Sat | National |
| Midsummer Eve | Jun 19Fri | National |
| Midsummer Day | Jun 20Sat | National |
| All Saints' Day | Oct 31Sat | National |
Showing 12 of 16 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Sweden
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Sweden.
Stockholm
A capital built across fourteen islands, with an old town and a waterfront of museums.
Gothenburg
A canal city of Dutch planning, seafood and a tram network.
Malmo
A city across the bridge from Copenhagen, with a rebuilt docklands.
Uppsala
A cathedral and university city with a castle and botanic gardens.
Kiruna
A mining town above the Arctic Circle, being relocated as the mine expands.
Top attractions in Sweden
The places that draw most visitors to Sweden.
Gamla Stan
Stockholm's medieval island core of narrow lanes and a royal palace.
Vasa Museum
A 17th-century warship raised almost intact from the harbour mud.
Icehotel, Jukkasjarvi
An entire hotel rebuilt each winter from snow and ice.
Abisko & Aurora Sky Station
One of the best places on earth to watch the northern lights.
Gothenburg Archipelago
Car-free islands of granite rocks and fishing villages off the west coast.
Drottningholm Palace
A baroque royal palace with a preserved 18th-century theatre.
Festivals, food and getting around Sweden
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year
Falls on Jan 1
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Good Friday
Falls on Apr 3
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Easter Monday
Falls on Apr 6
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Birthday of King Mswati III
Falls on Apr 19
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Day off for Birthday of King Mswati III
Falls on Apr 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Trains and buses are reliable; in Lapland distances are huge and the night trains are a Swedish institution.
Travelling around Sweden’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Sweden tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Sweden's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Sweden public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Sweden have?
Sweden has 16 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Sweden is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Sweden's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Sweden typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Sweden?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Sweden?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Sweden
School term dates in Sweden
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.