Swedish holidays reflect a blend of medieval and folklore customs, Christian traditions, and modern-day seasonal celebrations. The different festivities offer a window into the Swedish way of life. From candle-lit Lucia processions during the dark winter days, to flower-crowned gatherings under the endless Midsummer sun. Whether you’re visiting Gothenburg during Easter, Midsummer, or Christmas, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to join the celebrations.

Why the west coast region adds magic to the Swedish traditions:
Light and nature: Whether it’s the long Midsummer days or Christmas lights in the archipelago, the coastal setting heightens every experience.
Local flavours: From fresh crayfish to local pickled herring (sill), the West Coast Sweden offers culinary depth tied to the sea.

Semla bun at café Brogyllen i Gothenburg. — Semla bun at the classic café Brogyllen at the street Hamngatan. Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Semla bun day, February-March

Semla buns are soft, fluffy cardamom buns filled with almond paste and a swirl of whipped cream. They are a beloved seasonal treat in Sweden, traditionally enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday (known locally as Fettisdagen), the last day before Lent.

Originally eaten as a way to indulge before the fasting period, semlor have evolved into a national obsession, appearing in bakeries as early as January. In Gothenburg, you’ll find some of the city’s most iconic semlor at classic cafés like Brogyllen and Kampanilen. Some cafés offer modern twists with saffron, chocolate or vegan variations.

Swedish semla buns in Gothenburg

What is a semla? A semla bun is pretty straight forward really. It is a bun, filled with wipped cream and an almond paste. Despite its uncomplicated nature, or maybe because of that, the semla is one of Sweden’s most loved pastries. Traditionally it was to be enjoyed the day before lent, but nowadays it is enjoyed throught the early months of the year. The simplicity of the semla has also given rise to new and innovative takes. Here are a few different types of semla you can try in Gothenburg.

Easter flowers at the flower shop Bunchery in Gothenburg. — Easter flowers and birch twigs (Påskris) at the flower shop Bunchery. Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Easter in Gothenburg, March-April

Swedish Easter (påsk) blends Christian heritage with Nordic folk traditions. Now, it’s a time for families to gather around Swedish delicacies like cured salmon (gravlax), eggs and pickled herring (sill). Homes are decorated with yellow feathers, birch twigs (påskris), and pots with daffodils. In a uniquely Swedish twist, children dress up as “påskkärringar”frie – friendly Easter witches with headscarves and brooms that go door-to-door offering handmade cards in exchange for sweets.

During Easter Gothenburg comes alive with early seasonal signs when the many parks bloom with early spring flowers.

Easter in Gothenburg

Discover the best of Gothenburg over the Easter weekend! Enjoy the city’s restaurants, exciting shopping, and charming walking paths. Feel the thrill in your stomach at Liseberg, the largest amusement park in Scandinavia, breathe in the fresh sea air in the archipelago, or explore a range of fascinating museums.

Walpurgis in the Slottsskogen city park in Gothenburg. — Walpurgis Night is celebrated in the city park Slottsskogen, with a large bonfire and traditional choral singing. Credit: Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Walpurgis Night, 30 April

Walpurgis Night (valborgsmässoafton) is a traditional spring celebration in Sweden, marking the transition from the dark winter to lighter days. Celebrated on April 30, the festivities include large bonfires, choral singing, and joyful gatherings. The flames are said to ward off evil spirits and welcome the warmth of the new season. In Gothenburg,the city park Slottskogen Park is a popular spot for celebrating, and every Walpurgis Night, Gothenburg’s inner city comes alive with spectators eager to watch the local parade Cortègen. It’s organised by Chalmers University of Technology and humorously comments on current events and social trends.

Walpurgis night in Gothenburg

Walpurgis night or Valborg, on April 30, marks the beginning of spring in Sweden. This night, people gather around bonfires traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits, and salute the new season with joyful singing.

A Swedish flag raised at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg. — Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

National Day of Sweden, 6 June

Celebrated on June 6, the National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) commemorates two moments in Swedish history: the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, which laid the foundation for Sweden as an independent nation, and the adoption of a new constitution in 1809. Thus, it became an official public holiday as late as 2005.

In Gothenburg, the festivities are centered around Slottsskogen city park, where families gather for picnics, children’s activities and a National Day concert with the Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra.

Midsummer celebration Sweden, June

Midsummer (Midsommar in Swedish) marks the summer solstice and celebrates the long daylight hours of the Nordic region of Europe. In preparation, Swedes decorate and raise a maypole (midsommarstång) and make wreaths made from self-picked meadow flowers. Throughout the day, people gather for tradtional celebrations, dancing classic ring dances around the maypole, enjoying Swedish delicacies such as pickled herring (sill), and taking part in playful games like sack races, egg-and-spoon races, tipspromenad (a quiz walk), and kubb – a medieval lawn game where players throw wooden batons.

Midsummer Eve (Midsommarafton) is always celebrated on the Friday between19 and 25 June. In Gothenburg, you’ll often find Midsummer festivities in parks and green spaces such as the city park Slottsskogen, the archipelago island, and at the historic estates Gunnebo and Tjolöholm just outside the city.

Midsummer in Gothenburg

Don’t miss out on one of Sweden’s most unique festivities. Swedish Midsummer is celebrated in late June every year. Frog hop around a maypole, stay up all night, try Swedish herring, snaps and dance – just like the locals!

Crayfish parties in August

In late August, Swedes host lively and festive crayfish partys (Kräftskivor). Traditionally, guests don decorated ducks bibs and paper hats, and the outdoor tables arelit with paper lanternsshaped like the moon. Large platters are filled with bright red, dill-pickled crayfish. crayfish – the centrepiece of the evening. These feasts are accompanied by schnapps and singing, and an abundance of side dishes.

Newly caught langoustines in a plastic basket. — Freshly caught langoustines is a typical delicasy of the coastal region around Gothenburg. Credit: Beatrice Törnros

On Sweden’s west coast, where Gothenburg is located, the bright red freshwater crayfish are often replaced with freshly caught langoustines typical of this coastal region. The langoustines are bought directly from fishing boats returning from early-morning catches, frome mobile fish mongers, or at the iconic fish market hall Feskekörka.

Seafood restaurants in Gothenburg

The Swedish West Coast is a well known paradise for fish lovers and Gothenburg, with its thriving fish harbour and celebrated restaurateurs, is no exception to the rule. Here is a list of our favourite places.

Exterior of the Feskekörka building in Gothenburg. Sweden.

Iconic fish market hall

Feskekörka

Feskekörka is one of Gothenburg’s most famous landmarks and attractions. In this famous fish market hall, visitors will find all the delicacies of the sea and several restaurants and bars.

The café Husaren in Haga is famous for it's gigantic cinnamon buns. — The café Husaren in Haga is famous for it’s oversized cinnamon buns. Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

Cinnamon Bun Day, 4 October

Every year on October 4, Sweden celebrates Kanelbullens dag – Cinnamon Bun Day – a national tribute to one of the country’s most beloved pastries. The cinnamon bun is a cornerstone of Swedish fika culture, often enjoyed with coffee in cosy cafés or at home with friends and family. Introduced in the 1920s, the Swedish version differ from its international cousins: it’s less sweet and topped with pearl sugar rather than icing.

Gothenburg is famous for the giant cinnamon bun served at Café Husaren in the old Haga district. If you’re more into artisanal sourdough pastries, head to Da Matteo at the street Magasinsgatan.

The cinnamon buns you can’t miss in Gothenburg

The cinnamon roll. Perhaps Sweden’s most common (and tastiest?) fika bread. Since the 1920s, the bun has been baked and eaten as we know it today, and on October 4 we celebrate this with Kanelbullens dag (cinnamon bun day). In Gothenburg, you can enjoy everything from buns with sourdough, buns with pearl sugar, organic buns and perhaps the largest bun in the world.

A singing Lucia procession. — Credit: Studiografen Mika Aberra

Lucia, 13 December

Every year on 13 December, Sweden honours the 4th-century Sicilan martyr Saint Lucia of Syracuse (also known as Saint Lucy) with Lucia processions held in schools, churches, and public spaces. The celebration is rooted in both Catholic and folkloric traditions and symbolizes the return of light during the darkest time of the year.

The Lucia processions start in the early morning when it’s still dark outside. They’re led by a “lucia” dressed in white with a candlelit wreath on her head, and include handmaidens, star boys, gingerbread men, and sometimes elves. Together they sing traditional songs, with “Sankta Lucia” being the most iconic.

Christmas concerts and Lucia celebrations in Gothenburg

In November and December, the city is filled with magical Christmas shows and concerts. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional one, such as a Lucia celebration, or want to see some of Sweden’s biggest artists performing Christmas songs, Gothenburg has got you covered.

Christmas decorated Clarion Hotel Post Gothenburg. — The Christmas-decorated Clarion Hotel Post, located next to the Central Station, warmly welcomes visitors to Gothenburg. Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

Christmas in Gothenburg

In Sweden, Christmas is mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve (julafton), 24 December – a tradition shared across the Nordic countries. However, the festive season begins in November. That’s when you’ll start to see decorative window lights appear, including star-shaped paper lanterns and electric Advent candles.

Christmas in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is an amazing Christmas city, with cosy markets, Christmas at Liseberg Amusement Park, and a unique atmosphere. Come here in November and December to enjoy enchanting concerts, ice skating, Christmas treats and Swedish Christmas flavours.

Advent, meaning “coming” or “arrival”, is celebrated on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. These Sundays are often social occasions, marked by lighting a new candle in a four-candle holder, and enjoying glögg (mulled wine) with gingerbread biscuits and saffron buns.

From November onwards, Swedish Christmas markets add to the festive spirit with seasonal décor, crafts, gifts, and traditional treats. In Gothenburg, you’ll find markets at the Liseberg amusement park, in the old Haga district, and at the historic estates of Tjolöholm and Gunnebo – as well as more contemporary design markets across the city.

Christmas markets in the Gothenburg region

Mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas trees. We love Christmas markets, and in Gothenburg there are many to choose from. Here are some of our favourites, from cosy Haga to majestic Tjolöholm Castle.

On Christmas Eve, families and friends gather for a full day of celebration. They enjoy the Swedish Christmas buffet, open presents handed out by a visiting Father Christmas (or from under the tree), and at 15:00, tune in to watch the annual programme Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas – a long-standing tradition in many Swedish homes.

The Swedish Christmas buffet, or julbord, is an experience in itself. It’s a smörgåsbord featuring, among other dishes, Christmas ham (julskinka), Swedish meatballs, and pickled herring (sill). On the west coast, it’s also common to include fresh seafood.

Christmas buffets in Gothenburg

The restaurants of Gothenburg are getting ready for Christmas with all the flavours and dishes you know and love. Here are some of the many Christmas buffets in Gothenburg.

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