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Celebrate Like a Swede: Midsummer, Lucia, and More for Kids

Sweden is a country full of fun traditions, colorful holidays, and unique customs—many of which are especially exciting for kids! From magical summer celebrations to cozy winter evenings, Swedish culture is deeply connected to nature, family, and seasonal change. In this article, we’ll explore the most important holidays in Sweden and how they are celebrated, especially from a child’s perspective.

Midsummer: Flowers, Dancing, and Magic

Midsummer is one of the most loved holidays in Sweden, celebrated on a Friday between June 20th and 26th. It’s all about being in the countryside, dancing around a tall flower-covered pole called a maypole, and enjoying the long daylight hours.

Families gather outdoors to eat traditional foods like pickled herring, boiled potatoes with sour cream, and fresh strawberries for dessert. Children join in singing songs and playing games as everyone celebrates the start of summer.

There’s even a magical tradition: young girls pick seven types of flowers and jump over seven hedges without saying a word. If they place the flowers under their pillow that night, legend says they will dream of their future love.

Christmas in Sweden: Donald Duck and Cozy Moments

Christmas is the most important holiday in Sweden, celebrated on December 24th. On this special day, families decorate their homes with candles, ornaments, and stars. A big Swedish tradition happens at 3 PM, when almost everyone in the country sits down to watch Kalle Anka’s Jul—a Disney TV show featuring Donald Duck and other classic characters. This show has been aired every year since 1959!

Afterward, it’s time for dinner and gifts. The meal often includes ham, meatballs, pickled herring, and a special dessert. Kids eagerly await the arrival of Jultomten, the Swedish version of Santa Claus.

February Treats and Winter Fun

February brings more fun traditions. On Fat Tuesday, Swedes enjoy a tasty pastry called semla, a fluffy bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream. Around Valentine’s Day, shops decorate with hearts, though the holiday is less celebrated in Sweden than in other countries.

For kids, the highlight of February is sportlov, or “sports break”—a week off from school where many families go skiing or enjoy winter activities. The timing of the break depends on the region, but it’s always a fun chance to play in the snow.

Waffle Day, Witches, and Walpurgis Night

On March 25th, Sweden celebrates Waffle Day (Våffeldagen) with sweet, crispy waffles topped with jam and cream. It’s a delicious way to welcome spring!

April brings Easter, which has some very unique Swedish traditions. Kids dress up as little witches, carrying baskets and going door to door asking for candy—just like Halloween! The decorations include colorful feathers, chickens, and painted eggs.

At the end of April, Valborg (Walpurgis Night) welcomes the arrival of spring. Families light big bonfires, sing songs, and enjoy the warmer evenings together.

Saturday Is Candy Day!

In Sweden, there’s even a special rule about candy: children are only allowed to eat sweets on Saturdays! This tradition helps protect their teeth and is taken seriously in many homes and schools. Most schools don’t allow candy at all during the week, especially from grades 1 to 6.

So if you’re a kid in Sweden, Saturday is definitely the sweetest day of the week!

Learn Swedish Holidays with Dinolingo

Want to explore these traditions while learning Swedish? Dinolingo is a fun way for children to learn languages through games, songs, videos, and stories. With Dinolingo, kids aged 2–14 can learn at their own pace, online or offline, on any device. The program supports more than 50 languages and includes a helpful parent dashboard to track progress. Whether you’re learning Swedish for fun or to connect with family heritage, Dinolingo makes language learning playful and exciting.

Swedish holidays are full of wonder, joy, and special customs that bring families and communities together. From dancing around a maypole in June to sharing waffles and watching Donald Duck in December, these traditions make Swedish culture both magical and meaningful—especially for kids. Learning about these celebrations is a great way to better understand the heart of Sweden.

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