Public Holidays in Sweden 2026

Q: Are public holidays called red days in Sweden?

Yes. Public holidays are commonly called röda dagar, meaning “red days,” because they are traditionally printed in red on Swedish calendars.

Sweden has 13 named statutory public holiday dates in the 2026 VisaBoards calendar. These nationwide holidays are commonly called röda dagar, or “red days.” Sweden also has several widely observed non-working days, such as Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve, that should not be confused with statutory public holidays. All 2026 dates in the main schedule have been officially established.

Also Explore: Public Holiday in Switzerland

Next Public Holiday in Sweden

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
October 31, 2026	Saturday	All Saints’ Day	Confirmed

Date	Day	Holiday	Status
January 1, 2026	Thursday	New Year’s Day	Confirmed
January 6, 2026	Tuesday	Epiphany	Confirmed
April 3, 2026	Friday	Good Friday	Confirmed
April 5, 2026	Sunday	Easter Sunday	Confirmed
April 6, 2026	Monday	Easter Monday	Confirmed
May 1, 2026	Friday	First of May	Confirmed
May 14, 2026	Thursday	Ascension Day	Confirmed
May 24, 2026	Sunday	Whit Sunday	Confirmed
June 6, 2026	Saturday	National Day	Confirmed
June 20, 2026	Saturday	Midsummer Day	Confirmed
October 31, 2026	Saturday	All Saints’ Day	Confirmed
December 25, 2026	Friday	Christmas Day	Confirmed
December 26, 2026	Saturday	Boxing Day	Confirmed

What Counts as a Public Holiday in Sweden?

Sweden’s statutory public holidays are governed by the Act (1989:253) on Public Holidays. The law defines Sundays, including Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday, as public holidays and separately identifies New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter Monday, First of May, Ascension Day, National Day, Midsummer Day, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

The VisaBoards calendar records the 13 specifically named annual holiday events rather than listing every ordinary Sunday of the year. This is why the 2026 database contains 13 holiday dates even though Sundays generally have public-holiday status under Swedish law.

Official Public Holidays and Other Non-Working Days

The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs publishes an annual calendar for public holidays and days treated as equivalent to public holidays for its working arrangements. Its 2026 public holiday circular includes the statutory holidays as well as Holy Saturday, Midsummer Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Those additional days should not be treated as statutory nationwide public holidays in the VisaBoards database. Holy Saturday, Midsummer Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are not among the specifically named holidays established by the Public Holidays Act. They may nevertheless be non-working days at many workplaces because of collective agreements, workplace policies or individual employment arrangements.

Is Midsummer Eve a Public Holiday in Sweden?

No. Midsummer Eve is not a statutory public holiday in Sweden. In 2026 it falls on Friday, 19 June, while the statutory holiday is Midsummer Day on Saturday, 20 June.

Midsummer Eve is one of Sweden’s most important traditional celebration days and many employees are off work, but this does not change its legal classification. Info Norden’s guidance on Swedish public holidays also distinguishes Midsummer Eve from the statutory Midsummer Day holiday.

What Happens When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend in Sweden?

Sweden does not have a general statutory rule that moves every public holiday falling on Saturday or Sunday to the following Monday. The holiday normally remains on its calendar date.

This is particularly relevant in 2026 because National Day falls on Saturday, 6 June, Midsummer Day falls on Saturday, 20 June, All Saints’ Day falls on Saturday, 31 October, and Boxing Day falls on Saturday, 26 December.

A separate day off may apply under some collective bargaining agreements, particularly when National Day falls on a weekend, but such compensation is not an automatic nationwide substitute public holiday. Employees should check the collective agreement or workplace rules that apply to them.

Bridge Days and Days Before Public Holidays

A weekday between a public holiday and a weekend is sometimes called a klämdag, or bridge day, in Sweden. A bridge day is not automatically a public holiday. Whether employees receive the day off depends on their employer, workplace policy or collective agreement.

The same principle applies to shortened working days before certain holidays. A half-day or early finish should not be treated as a nationwide statutory holiday unless a specific agreement or employment rule provides for it.

Long Weekends in Sweden in 2026

Several statutory holidays create useful long weekends in Sweden during 2026 without requiring a substitute holiday.

Easter weekend: Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April create a four-day Friday-to-Monday break for people who normally have Saturdays and Sundays off.
First of May: First of May falls on Friday, creating a three-day weekend from 1 to 3 May for a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule.
Christmas: Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25 December, followed by Boxing Day on Saturday, 26 December and Sunday, 27 December.

Ascension Day falls on Thursday, 14 May. Taking Friday, 15 May as annual leave may create a four-day break, but 15 May is not an official public holiday or nationwide bridge holiday.

Are Shops and Businesses Open on Public Holidays in Sweden?

Opening hours vary by business. Sweden does not have a general law requiring all shops to close on public holidays, so supermarkets, restaurants, shopping centres and other businesses may remain open with reduced or normal hours.

Closures and shorter opening hours are more common on major holidays such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, National Day and Midsummer Day. Travellers and customers should check individual opening hours rather than assuming that every business will be closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holiday dates are there in Sweden in 2026?

The VisaBoards Sweden dataset contains 13 named statutory public holiday dates for 2026. Swedish law also treats Sundays generally as public holidays, but ordinary Sundays are not recorded as separate named holiday events in this dataset.

What is the next public holiday in Sweden?

The next public holiday changes during the year. Use the dynamic Next Public Holiday section near the top of this page for the current holiday name, date and countdown.

Are public holidays called red days in Sweden?

Yes. Public holidays are commonly called röda dagar, meaning “red days,” because they are traditionally printed in red on Swedish calendars.

Is Midsummer Eve an official public holiday in Sweden?

No. Midsummer Eve is widely observed and many employees have the day off, but the statutory public holiday is Midsummer Day. In 2026, Midsummer Eve is Friday, 19 June and Midsummer Day is Saturday, 20 June.

Are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve public holidays in Sweden?

No. Christmas Eve on 24 December and New Year’s Eve on 31 December are not statutory public holidays under Sweden’s Public Holidays Act. They are commonly treated as non-working days at many workplaces under collective agreements or employer arrangements.

Does Sweden move a public holiday to Monday when it falls on a weekend?

No general nationwide rule automatically moves a Swedish public holiday to Monday. Weekend holidays normally remain on their legal calendar dates. Some collective agreements may provide compensatory leave in particular circumstances.

Why is All Saints’ Day on 31 October in Sweden in 2026?

Swedish law places All Saints’ Day on the Saturday that falls between 31 October and 6 November. In 2026, that Saturday is 31 October.

Is Whit Monday a public holiday in Sweden?

No. Whit Sunday is a statutory public holiday in Sweden, but Whit Monday is not. Whit Sunday falls on 24 May in 2026.

Official Sources for Public Holidays in Sweden

Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Circular Note 2/2025, Public Holidays in Sweden 2026: confirms the official 2026 calendar dates and identifies additional days treated as equivalent to public holidays for Ministry working arrangements.
Sveriges Riksdag – Act (1989:253) on Public Holidays: establishes which days have statutory public-holiday status and defines the calendar rules for movable holidays such as Midsummer Day and All Saints’ Day.
Info Norden Public Holidays in Sweden: explains the practical distinction between statutory red days, non-working days, bridge days and workplace-specific arrangements.

Next Public Holiday in Sweden