Swedish Easter 

Like most holidays, Easter in Sweden is a feast for family and friends. Traditionally, our holiday fare will be in the form of Smorgasbord, but we like to go with modern fare too! Bring along tried and true favorites of the season like herring, salmon and eggs. And if you like chocolate and sweets, experiencing Swedish Easter together won't disappoint.

Swedish Waffle Festival

Waffles have long been beloved by Swedes. In fact, they celebrate the arrival of spring with a waffle feast, where delicious waffles coated with cream and jam represent a delightful dessert time. A little tempted? Go check out the Swedish Food House! Not only waffles but also a great selection of jams! 

Midsummer Festival

A typical Midsummer menu features different kinds of pickled herring, boiled baby potatoes with fresh dill, sour cream and parsnips. This is followed by a grilled dish such as ribs or salmon, and for dessert, the first strawberries of the summer, served with cream.

Traditional accompaniments to the meal are cold beer and spirits, preferably spiced. Whenever the glasses are filled again, the people light up again with song. The Swedes love toasts, and the livelier the better. 

Crayfish Party 

  The ideal August evening would be warm and soft, just right for a traditional crawfish party. All you need is some friends, a big plate of freshly cooked crawfish, some beer and spirits, and a few choice toasts 

Lucia Festival

The celebrations of Lucia and Midsummer are the most representative of Swedish cultural traditions, as they clearly reflect the conditions of life in the agricultural society of the past: darkness and light, cold and warmth.

Lucia is an ancient mythological figure who carries an eternal duty to bring light to the dark Swedish winter. All Swedes take the standard "Lucia chant" to heart, and everyone sings it - although some will be out of tune. On the morning of Lucia's Day, radio stations broadcast more professional singing performances by school and other choirs.

Lucia celebrations also include eating ginger cookies and sweet saffron buns (lussekatter), which are shaped like curled-up cats with raisin eyes. The meal is usually served with spiced mulled wine "glögg" or coffee.

Christmas

Christmas presents are placed under the glowing Christmas tree, candles shine brightly and there is a Swedish Christmas buffet ("smörgåsbord" in Swedish) with all the classic dishes prepared: Christmas ham, pork sausage, eggs and anchovies mixed with vegetables ("gubbrö ra"), herring salad, pickled herring, homemade liver pate, malted rye bread ("vörtbröd"), potatoes and a special fish dish: lutfisk ("lye fish"). The Christmas ham is boiled in water and then cooked in the oven. The Christmas ham is boiled in water and then coated and colored with a mixture of eggs, breadcrumbs and yellow mustard. The lutefisk is air-dried ling or green cod soaked in water and lye until it swells, then cooked.

Once everyone has had their fill of wine, Santa Claus appears to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and then distributes gifts.