St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden

In Sweden, 13 December, or St. Lucia’s Day is a very important part of the Christmas preparations. On this day, little girls dress up in festive white dresses with a seven-candle wreath or lights on their heads, remembering the story of Saint Luca. The costumes symbolise the coming Christmas: they are dressed in white on St. Lucy’s Day and in red and green at the end of December.

Before Christmas Eve, families often take a sauna and open presents together, brought by a traditional figure called Julklapp.

It is customary to leave the windows open so that friends and family can come in and surprise each other with funny presents. At Water Cross, the winter festivities end with a communal dance around the Christmas tree, celebrating Christmas and the start of the New Year with dignity.