As winter settles over Sweden and the northern darkness stretches across long December nights, the country enters one of its most cherished seasons: jul, or Christmas. Swedish Jul is a month of rituals that blend ancient folklore, Lutheran tradition and modern celebration. From the first Advent candles to the final days of julgröt and gatherings with loved ones, the season is marked by warmth, light, and a deep sense of community.
Advent and the return of light
For Swedes, Christmas begins with Advent, a symbolic invitation of light during the darkest stretch of the year. Homes place four candles in an Advent candlestick, lighting one each Sunday until Christmas. Windows glow with Adventsljusstakar (electric candelabras) and julstjärnor (paper star lanterns), turning neighborhoods into warm constellations against the dim winter afternoons.
On December 13th, Sweden celebrates Lucia, the festival of Saint Lucy, who symbolizes the promise of light. Choirs of children dressed in white glide through schools, churches, and town squares, led by a girl crowned with real or electric candles as “Lucia.” The processions sing traditional songs like “Sankta Lucia,” and serve saffron buns (lussekatter) and gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor).
The golden glow of Lucia morning is one of the most beloved moments of the season.
Festive foods, drinks, and culinary traditions
Swedish Christmas is also deeply rooted in food traditions that date back centuries. Central among these is the julbord, a grand buffet served throughout December in restaurants and homes. The julbord typically unfolds in courses, beginning with pickled herring in various marinades – mustard, onion, dill – followed by gravlax with mustard-dill sauce, and charcuterie like Christmas ham (julskinka), pâtés, and sausages.
The warm section of the julbord offers comfort against winter’s chill: meatballs, small hot dogs (prinskorv), Jansson’s temptation (a creamy potato-anchovy casserole), red cabbage and oven-baked ribs. Many families add regional specialties, from reindeer dishes in the north to smoked eel in the south.
Sweets also have an important place at the table. Throughout the month, families bake pepparkakor and saffron-infused lussekatter, while Christmas Eve features rice pudding (risgrynsgröt), traditionally hiding a single almond – whoever finds it is said to have luck (or marriage!) in the coming year.
No Swedish Christmas is complete without festive drinks. Glögg, a spiced mulled wine, is enjoyed at gatherings known as glöggfester, served with raisins and almonds. Another seasonal staple is julmust, a dark, malty soft drink so popular that it outsells Coca-Cola in December.
Christmas markets and community festivities
Throughout December, Sweden’s cities and towns host julmarknader, Christmas markets filled with artisan crafts, seasonal foods and festive performances. Stockholm’s market in Gamla Stan is one of the oldest in Europe, offering cinnamon-roasted almonds, handmade ornaments, cured meats and wool goods. Gothenburg’s Liseberg amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, ice sculptures, and stalls selling glögg and candy. Smaller local markets in villages and open-air museums, like Skansen, provide glimpses into historic Swedish farm life and traditional handicrafts.
Christmas Eve and family traditions
While many countries celebrate primarily on Christmas Day, Swedes center their festivities on Christmas Eve. Families gather for the julbord, exchange presents – often delivered by Tomten, the Swedish Christmas gnome – and watch the beloved TV special “Kalle Anka” (Donald Duck), which has been a national tradition since 1959.
The evening ends with candlelit calm, church visits for some, and a lingering sense of togetherness. In the quiet of winter, Swedish Christmas radiates warmth, hospitality, and the enduring joy of welcoming light into darkness.
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Read more about Sweden here in Dispatches’ archives.
Jess Bretin
Jess Bretin is a communications and content specialist, and an American living in Gothenburg, Sweden. While in the states, she spent 2 years on the road living in a van and visited every state. She then married a Frenchman, so she has spent alot of time in France. Jess is also a singer/songwriter in a rock band and loves to cook and stand-up paddle board.
See her posts here:
• Walk like a Swede, talk like a Swede: How to make friends in Sweden
• Chistmas in Sweden: Tradition, light and togetherness
• The cost of living in Sweden 2025: What's actually going on.
