Röda Dagar – Red Days: Sweden Bank Holidays 2026

In Sweden, public holidays are known as Röda Dagar, or “red days,” referring to the red markings used for holidays on Swedish calendars. These days are significant not only for time off work and school but also for celebrating Sweden’s culture, religious traditions, and historical milestones. Let’s check what Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 has to offer.

Whether you’re living in Sweden, planning a visit, or simply curious about Swedish customs, understanding Röda Dagar helps you navigate the calendar, participate in traditions, and plan your year effectively.

What Are Röda Dagar?

In Sweden, bank holidays (helgdagar) and public holidays are marked in red on calendars, earning them the name Röda Dagar. These are days when many businesses, government offices, and schools are closed, allowing Swedes to rest, spend time with family, or observe significant cultural and religious traditions.

Sweden observes both Christian holidays – a legacy of its Lutheran heritage – and secular holidays, such as National Day. Additionally, aftnar (holiday eves) like Christmas Eve are widely celebrated even if they are not official bank holidays.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026: The Full List of Röda Dagar

Below is the complete list of public holidays in Sweden for 2026, including their dates and a brief description of each holiday.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – January

1. New Year’s Day (Nyårsdagen) – Thursday, January 1
   Swedes welcome the New Year with fireworks, festive meals, and gatherings.
2. Epiphany (Trettondedag jul) – Tuesday, January 6
   A Christian holiday commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men to Jesus.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – April

3. Good Friday (Långfredagen) – Friday, April 3
   Part of the Easter weekend, this day reflects solemnity and Christian observance.
4. Easter Sunday (Påskdagen) – Sunday, April 5
   Celebrating the resurrection of Christ, Easter in Sweden also involves colorful decorations, påskkärringar (Easter witches), and traditional meals.
5. Easter Monday (Annandag påsk) – Monday, April 6
   The day after Easter, families often enjoy outdoor activities and a continuation of Easter festivities.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – May

6. Labor Day (Första maj) – Friday, May 1
   A celebration of workers’ rights and labor movements, often marked with demonstrations and parades.
7. Ascension Day (Kristi himmelsfärdsdag) – Thursday, May 14
   Celebrated 40 days after Easter, this Christian holiday marks Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
8. Pentecost sunday (Pingstdagen) – Sunday, May 24
   It is the day that is usually referred to as the “birthday of the church”. It falls 49 days (7 weeks) after Easter Sunday (on the 50th day).

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – June

8. National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) – Saturday, June 6
   Sweden’s National Day commemorates the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, a turning point in Swedish history. Celebrations include parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural events.
9. Midsummer Day (Midsommardagen) – Saturday, June 20
   Midsummer is one of Sweden’s most beloved holidays, celebrating the summer solstice. Swedes gather for midsommarstång (maypole dancing), flower crowns, and feasts of pickled herring and strawberries.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – October

11. All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag) – Saturday, October 31
    A day to remember loved ones who have passed away, often marked by lighting candles at gravesites.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026 – December

12. Christmas Day (Juldagen) – Friday, December 25
    A key holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Families gather for festive meals, gift-giving, and Christmas traditions.
13. Boxing Day (Annandag jul) – Saturday, December 26
    The second day of Christmas, often spent relaxing with family and enjoying leftovers from the Christmas feast.

Klämdagar 2026: “squeeze” a long weekend out of a normal calendar

In Sweden, a klämdag (literally “squeeze day”) is a regular workday that sits between a public holiday and the weekend. It is not automatically a day off by law, but it’s the classic moment when people use a vacation day (semester) to magically turn one red day into a proper mini-break. Some workplaces even grant specific klämdagar through collective agreements or internal policies, so it’s always worth checking what applies at your job.

Below are the most satisfying “take 1–4 days off, get a long weekend” combos for Sweden in 2026, based on how the holidays land that year.

1. January: the easiest holiday “hack” of the year
   • Take off: Fri 2 Jan and Mon 5 Jan
     Result: 6 days off in a row (Thu 1 Jan to Tue 6 Jan) with only 2 vacation days.
2. Easter: one of the best payoffs for your vacation days
   • Take off: Tue 7 Apr to Fri 10 Apr (4 days)
     Result: 10 days off in a row (Fri 3 Apr to Sun 12 Apr).
3. May: the month that actually understands work-life balance
   • Option A (easy mode)
     Take off: Thu 30 Apr
     Result: 4 days off (Thu 30 Apr to Sun 3 May).
   • Option B (the classic Swedish klämdag)
     Take off: Fri 15 May
     Result: 4 days off (Thu 14 May to Sun 17 May).
   • Option C (mini vacation without feeling guilty)
     Take off: Mon 11 May to Wed 13 May + Fri 15 May (4 days total)
     Result: 9 days off (Sat 9 May to Sun 17 May), with Ascension doing the heavy lifting in the middle.
4. Midsummer: depends on your workplace, but still worth mentioning
   • If your job gives you Midsummer Eve off (many do), then:
     Take off: Thu 18 June
     Result: 4 days off (Thu to Sun) for the price of 1 vacation day.
5. Christmas and New Year: the “Sweden shuts down” season
   • Option A (before Christmas)
     Take off: Mon 21 Dec to Wed 23 Dec (3 days)
     Result: 9 days off (Sat 19 Dec to Sun 27 Dec) if your workplace treats Christmas Eve as a day off (very common).
   • Option B (between Christmas and New Year)
     Take off: Mon 28 Dec to Wed 30 Dec (3 days)
     Result: potentially 11 days off (Thu 24 Dec to Sun 3 Jan) if your workplace also treats New Year’s Eve (Thu 31 Dec) as non-working (many do, but not all).

Key Holiday Traditions in Sweden

Easter (Påsk)

Swedes celebrate Easter with a mix of Christian customs and folk traditions. Children dress up as påskkärringar (Easter witches), go door-to-door exchanging homemade drawings for candy, much like Halloween.

Traditional Easter foods include:

• Pickled herring (sill)
• Smoked salmon (gravad lax)
• Eggs and Jansson’s Temptation (a potato casserole with anchovies).

Midsummer (Midsommar)

Midsummer is perhaps Sweden’s most iconic holiday. Celebrated near the summer solstice, it’s a joyous occasion to mark the peak of summer.

Traditions Include:

• Dancing around the midsommarstång (maypole).
• Wearing flower crowns and singing traditional songs.
• Feasting on pickled herring, potatoes, and fresh strawberries.

National Day (Sveriges Nationaldag)

National Day celebrates Sweden’s independence and national pride. Public events include flag-raising ceremonies, concerts, and speeches by officials. Since becoming a public holiday in 2005, National Day has grown into a family-friendly day of celebration.

Christmas (Jul)

Sweden’s Christmas celebrations begin with Advent and culminate on Christmas Eve (Julafton). Traditional activities include:

• Attending Lucia processions on December 13th.
• Decorating the Christmas tree (julgran) and homes with lights and candles.
• Feasting on julbord (Christmas buffet) featuring ham, meatballs, prinskorv (sausages), and risgrynsgröt (rice pudding).

Fun Fact:
Swedes also watch Kalle Anka och hans vänner (Donald Duck and Friends) every Christmas Eve, a tradition since 1960.

Practical Tips for Röda Dagar in Sweden

If you’re living in or visiting Sweden in 2026, here’s what you need to know about Röda Dagar:

1. Closures:
   Most businesses, schools, banks, and government offices close on public holidays. Plan your errands and travel accordingly.
2. Holiday Eves (Aftnar):
   Even though Christmas Eve and Midsummer’s Eve are not official bank holidays, many businesses close early or remain closed all day.
3. Travel Planning:
   Public holidays like Midsummer and Christmas are peak travel times. Book train tickets, ferries, and accommodations well in advance.
4. Celebrate Like a Swede:
   Participate in local traditions like dancing around the midsommarstång, attending Lucia processions, or enjoying a traditional julbord.

Plan Your Year with Sweden’s Bank Holidays 2026

Whether you’re a resident or a traveler, Sweden’s Röda Dagar provide the perfect opportunity to experience Swedish culture, traditions, and seasonal beauty. From the magic of Midsummer to the festive spirit of Christmas, these public holidays showcase Sweden’s rich heritage and commitment to family and community.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2026

Understanding Sweden’s bank holidays in 2026 allows you to plan vacations, participate in local traditions, and enjoy the best of Swedish culture. Röda Dagar are not just about days off—they are moments to celebrate, reflect, and embrace the unique customs that make Sweden so special.

As you mark your calendar for 2026, remember to savor every red day like a true Swede: with joy, tradition, and plenty of fika breaks!