What date is Saint Lucy’s Day, a major winter celebration in Sweden?

Saint Lucy’s Day is celebrated in Sweden on December 13.

The Swedish celebration honors Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr traditionally associated with Syracuse in Sicily. In Sweden, the day became a major winter festival featuring candlelit processions, singing, and saffron-flavored buns called lussekatter.

A person portraying Lucia commonly wears a white robe and a crown or wreath of candles. Other participants may dress as attendants, star boys, or traditional gingerbread figures. Schools, workplaces, churches, and public venues often hold processions during the Advent season.

The date is close to the winter solstice and was historically linked in Scandinavia with the longest night under the older Julian calendar. Modern Swedish observances combine Christian symbolism, local winter customs, music, and communal food.