Public holiday in Sweden
All Saints' Day in Sweden
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
All Saints' Day is a nationwide public holiday in Sweden set aside for remembering the dead. It falls on a Saturday in autumn, with the date varying from year to year.
About All Saints' Day in Sweden
In Sweden, All Saints' Day is a national day of remembrance rather than a day for work or commercial observance. It is tied to the Christian calendar, but in modern Sweden it is mainly associated with visiting graves and honouring family members and other deceased people. The holiday is nationwide and its movable date means it can fall at the end of October or in early November, depending on the year.
History
The Swedish observance developed from the older Christian feast of All Saints and was later adjusted into its current movable Saturday date. The change to a Saturday made the holiday easier to observe nationally without tying it to a weekday.
Traditions
A common custom in Sweden is to visit cemeteries and place candles or lanterns on graves and memorial sites. In many places this creates rows of lights after dark, especially in the evening. Families may also spend time remembering relatives at home or in church services.
How All Saints' Day is celebrated in Sweden
Cemeteries and churchyards are often the focus of the day, and many people go there in the afternoon or evening. The holiday is generally quiet and reflective rather than festive, with candlelight serving as the main visual symbol. Public commemorations are usually small-scale and local rather than centred on large national events.
Interesting facts
The holiday is observed on a Saturday in Sweden, so the date changes from year to year. It is one of the country’s nationwide public holidays.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.