Lucia in Stockholm
Publish date: 1 December 2023
Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebration represents one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with its clear connection to life in the peasant communities of before: darkness and light, cold and warmth.
Lucia is an ancient mythological figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winter. The Lucia tradition can be traced back both to Saint Lucy of Syracuse, a martyr who died in 304, and to the Swedish legend of Lucia as Adam’s first wife.
Today Lucia, the bearer of light, is celebrated all around Sweden with candle processions and Lucia choirs, saffron buns, and glögg (mulled wine)! Its place in the calendar, December 13th, also makes it a welcome break for many before preparations for the Christmas holidays shift into high gear.
Here's our selection of Lucia celebrations in Stockholm.