Sweden public holidays 2019 and 2020

In Sweden public holidays are often referred to as ‘red days’ (röd dag) for being printed in red in traditional calendars.

Swedish Midsummer celebrations explained.

Statutory work free days in Sweden include both religious and non-religious holidays. See in the table below the dates for the main Swedish public holidays / bank holidays in 2019 and 2020.

Bank closed in Sweden on Midsummer Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Please note, that in Sweden some holidays are actually celebrated on the day before. Although Midsummer’s Eve, Christmas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve are only de facto holidays, most of the businesses, public institutions, as well as banks will be closed during those days. In private businesses, reduced working hours may be a case on other holiday’s eves as for example Maundy Thursday, on the day before All Saints’ Day or the Twelfth Day before the Epiphany, which are considered de facto half-holidays in Sweden. Walpurgis Night, or Valborg, celebrated on April 30^th is also a half-day holiday, less affected, however by working hour reduction as the festivities and bonfires take place at night, prior to May 1^st.

Walpurgis Night celebrations.

Half-day holidays Sweden
A free afternoon on de facto half-day holidays in Sweden (or halv-dag) is common, but not necessarily a rule. Below is the list of half-holidays in Sweden:

• All Saints’ Eve - the day after All Saints’ Day
• Twelfth Night – always 5^th of January
• Maundy Thursday – the Thursday before Easter Sunday
• Holy Saturday – the day before Easter Suday
• Walpurgis Night – always 30 of April

What is a klämdag in Sweden?
Klämdag, or a “squeezed day” in Sweden is the day between a public holiday and a weekend. Although those days are not statutory work-free day, some Swedish employers may opt for considering those days as de facto holidays. Reduced working hours may be expected, especially in small businesses. 

Sweden’s National Day
June 6^th is the Swedish National Day, formerly known as a Swedish Flag’s Day. It celebrates the independence of Sweden from the Kalmar Union form by Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Sweden became an independent country with the coronation of King Gustav Vasa in 1523 and adoption of a new constitution.

Sveriges nationaldag is a public holiday in Sweden since 2005.

Shopping hours Sweden
In Sweden there are no laws regulating the opening hours for retailers. Most of the large supermarkets and chain stores remain open on Sundays, the only exception being Systembolaget, a government owned chain of liquor stores which closes on Sundays. 

Find more practical information on www.visitsweden.com.