Page 37 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sweden

SWEDEN THROUGH THE Y EAR  35

January
Winter
Hindersmässan (end Jan).
While Christmas does not always Market in Örebro dating
go hand in hand with snow in back to medieval times.
southern Sweden, there are Kiruna Snow Festival,
plenty of oppor tunities for ice- (last week in Jan). Renowned
skating and there’s always a festival, especially for its
chance of a white January. The reindeer racing.
mountains become a paradise
for skiers, while snow cannons February
help out elsewhere if nature Jokkmokks Winter Market
isn’t up to the job. From the first (first weekend in Feb). Colourful
day of Advent, the Christmas festival with market, reindeer
season is in full swing, sledding and races.
culminating in present-giving Gothenburg Boat Show (early
on Christmas Eve. Restaurants Feb). New boats on show at
enjoy their busiest time and Lucia, the “Queen of Light”, with her the Swedish Exhibition Centre
Lucia processions brighten the attendants at Skansen in Gothenburg.
winter darkness. Vikingarännet (as soon as
capital to celebrations and the ice holds). Long-distance
November fireworks at Skansen. Similar ice-skating race between
Gustav Adolf Day (6 Nov). Lucia processions take place Stockholm and Uppsala.
Gothenburg celebrates the throughout Sweden and, on a Globen Gala (2nd half of Feb).
royal founder of the city on smaller scale, in many homes Athletes compete at this top
the anniversary of his death and schools. indoor competition.
(see p199). Christmas Markets throughout Spring Salon (Feb–Mar). Annual
St Martin’s Day (10–11 Nov). Sweden (from early Dec). art exhibition of new talent at
Roast goose and “black soup” The markets at Skansen and Liljevalchs, Stockholm.
containing goose blood are Stortorget in Stockholm are
served at parties for St Martin particularly atmospheric.
of Tours and Martin Luther. Christmas (24–26 Dec). Filled
with traditions, Christmas is
December the most important Swedish
Nobel Day (10 Dec). The year’s holiday. The main event is
Nobel Prize laureates are Christmas Eve when an
honoured in a ceremony at abundant smörgåsbord is
Konserthuset (Concert Hall) followed by gifts. Christmas
and a banquet in Stadshuset Day often begins with a
(City Hall) attended by the church service.
King and Queen. New Year (31 Dec–1 Jan).
Lucia Celebrations (13 Dec). People go out on the town.
Sweden’s chosen Lucia, with her Celebrations are televised from
girl attendants and “star boys”, Skansen, including a traditional
serves the Nobel laureates midnight reading
morning coffee with saffron of Tennyson’s “Ring out wild
buns and performs traditional bells…” Church bells peal
songs. In the evening a Lucia and there are spectacular Man in traditional Sami outfit at the
procession winds through the fireworks displays. Jokkmokks Winter Market in Lapland
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
Epiphany (6 Jan)
Good Friday (Mar/Apr)
Easter Monday (Mar/Apr)
Ascension Day (6th Thu after
Easter)
Labour Day (1 May)
National Day (6 Jun)
Midsummer (Jun)
Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Boxing Day (26 Dec)
Frozen Riddarfjärden in Stockholm as a winter park

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