Röda Dagar – Red Days: Sweden Bank Holidays 2025

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 2025 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 2025: The Full List of Röda Dagar

Below is the complete list of public holidays in Sweden for 2025, including their dates and a brief description of each holiday.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2025 – January

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

Sweden Bank Holidays 2025 – April

3. Good Friday (Långfredagen) – Friday, April 18
   Part of the Easter weekend, this day reflects solemnity and Christian observance.
4. Easter Sunday (Påskdagen) – Sunday, April 20
   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 21
   The day after Easter, families often enjoy outdoor activities and a continuation of Easter festivities.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2025 – May

6. Labor Day (Första maj) – Thursday, May 1
   A celebration of workers’ rights and labor movements, often marked with demonstrations and parades.
7. Ascension Day (Kristi himmelsfärdsdag) – Thursday, May 29
   Celebrated 40 days after Easter, this Christian holiday marks Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2025 – June

8. National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) – Friday, 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. Pentecost sunday (Pingstdagen) – Sunday, June 8
   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).
10. Midsummer Day (Midsommardagen) – Saturday, June 21
    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 2025 – November

11. All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag) – Saturday, November 1
    A day to remember loved ones who have passed away, often marked by lighting candles at gravesites.

Sweden Bank Holidays 2025 – December

12. Christmas Day (Juldagen) – Thursday, 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) – Friday, December 26
    The second day of Christmas, often spent relaxing with family and enjoying leftovers from the Christmas feast.

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 2025, 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.

Röda Dagar and Swedish Work-Life Balance

Sweden is known for its excellent work-life balance, and Röda Dagar play an important role in this. Swedes value time off to relax, reconnect with family, and celebrate cultural traditions.

Bridging Holidays (Klämmdagar)

Swedes often use klämmdagar – days between a public holiday and the weekend – to create extended breaks. For example, if Ascension Day falls on a Thursday, many people take Friday off to enjoy a four-day weekend.

Plan Your Year with Sweden’s Bank Holidays 2025

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 2025

Understanding Sweden’s bank holidays in 2025 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 2025, remember to savor every red day like a true Swede: with joy, tradition, and plenty of fika breaks!