20 Apr 2025
Swedish Culture
Lifestyle Swedish Culture

Swedish Traditions: Fredagsmys

It’s Friday everyone! In homes across Sweden cushions are being plumped, bowls filled, and remote controls placed in strategic positions as Sweden readies for a newish national weekend pastime – the Mys! Previously we  have investigated the history behind Swedes’ Saturday stampede to the sweet counter – it’s now time to take a look at […]

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Community Swedish Culture

Swedish Traditions: March 2013 – Waffles and Witches

In March it’s not until the end of the month that we celebrate any truly Swedish traditions, but if you ask us – they are well worth the wait! First up is Våffeldagen (Waffle Day) followed by Påsk (Easter) with its godis, brightly-coloured feathers and… witches? YLC has the background to each of these Spring traditions. Våffeldagen (Waffle Day) […]

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Community Swedish Culture

Swedish Traditions: Lördagsgodis – the Saturday Sweet Stampede

Rampaging animals? A demonstration turned riot? No, it’s Saturday at the Swedish pick-n-mix counter. Just in time for the weekend, YLC explains the deal with Lördagsgodis. Anyone who’s wandered into their local ICA or Konsum on any given Saturday would have noticed the scores of normally healthy Swedes, both tall and small, chucking aside the […]

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Community Expat Traditions Swedish Culture

Valentine’s Day in Stockholm 2013

Stockholm is one of the most romantic cities in the world, so why not head out this Valentine’s Day and have a romantic experience you’ll never forget!

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Community Swedish Culture Tourist Information

Swedish Traditions: February – Flowers, Skiing and Fat Tuesday

Ah, February, month of love. Where better to celebrate Valentine’s than in Stockholm with its beauty and romance? If this is making you queasy, ignore the 14th and find a better reason to feel nauseous: overindulgence in semlor.  Those sweet buns stuffed with cream are the way that Swedes celebrate ‘Fettisdagen’ or Fat Day as it […]

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Community Family Music Swedish Culture Tourist Information What's on: Stockholm

Why You Should Watch Melodifestivalen

Ah, Eurovision. The fun, the frocks, the fantastic spectacle. I remember watching it with my mum when I was 7, getting far too involved in the mayhem. I didn’t know about Melodifestivalen though, the build up to Eurovision in Sweden, where the nation’s representative is selected.

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Community Swedish Culture

December Swedish Traditions: Gingerbread, Dynamite, Candles and… Donald Duck?

Swedish traditions fall thick and fast in December, from the lighting of the first advent candle to Christmas itself, with its mighty julbord. Two other equally large festivals feature: Nobeldagen, when those prestigious prizes are awarded right here in Stockholm and Lucia, the feast day dedicated to the saint of that name. Advent: Starts December […]

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Community Expat Cookbook Swedish Culture

Kanelbullens Dag: Cinnamon Bun Day

So we need more excuses to eat cinnamon buns, right? Luckily the 4th October is Kanelbullens Dag, or Cinnamon Bun Day. It’s not a venerable old tradition, since it’s only been around since 1999, but it is a way to justify sinking your teeth into one of Sweden’s most popular delicacies.  You may also like: Kanelbulle & […]

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Community Swedish Culture

Swedish National Day: June 6th

I had heard that Swedes have a ‘somewhat guarded attitude towards celebrating national day’. The reason, they are proud of their country, but they don’t feel any great need to show it. So then how do Swedes celebrate National day? I asked my Swedish friends and family. They hemmed and hawed over what they did on […]

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Community Swedish Culture Weddings

Swedish wedding traditions: the engagement

The warm spring weather marks the beginning of Sweden’s wedding (bröllop) season. Swedes like to do their weddings their own way – some will choose to be married in a church others on a boat, or a field in a converted barn. Related article  Swedish wedding traditions: customs and culture Related article  Swedish wedding traditions: […]

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