Hej everyone,
Spring is a special time in Scandinavia. After the long, dark winter months, the light returns, and nature awakens to new life. In Scandinavia, the beginning of spring is celebrated with various festivals and customs—from ancient pagan traditions to modern celebrations.
Let’s take a look together at the most beautiful spring traditions.
March – The first signs of spring
Påskefrokost (Denmark) – Easter breakfast as a start to spring
In Denmark, Easter is often celebrated as the unofficial beginning of spring. A particularly popular tradition is Påskefrokost (Easter breakfast).
✔ A big feast: Herring, salmon, eggs and Danish black bread are served.
✔ Schnapps & Beer: Accompany with "Påskebryg", a special Easter beer, or aquavit.
✔ Spring decoration: Houses and tables are decorated with yellow and green colors.
While Easter has Christian roots, it also marks the beginning of the brighter season.
April – The big spring festivals begin
Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton) – The Great Spring Bonfire (April 30, Sweden & Finland)
One of the most spectacular spring festivals in Scandinavia is Walpurgis Night (Valborg), which is celebrated on April 30th.
✔ Huge fires: In Sweden, people gather to light Valborg fires.
✔ Choir singing & spring songs: Especially in university towns like Uppsala and Lund, choirs sing traditional spring songs.
✔ Socializing & picnics: Many people spend the day with friends in parks or gardens.
In Finland, Walpurgis Night is known as Vappu. In Helsinki, the entire city becomes a party zone—with balloons, champagne, and large parades.
May – Spring is here!
Første vårsøndag (Norway) – The first Sunday of spring
There is no official spring holiday in Norway, but the first really warm Sunday is often celebrated as a small holiday.
✔ First hikes & outdoor activities: As soon as the snow melts, people are drawn to nature.
✔ Barbecue premiere: Many Norwegians officially start the barbecue season on this day.
✔ Hut visits: If you own a hut in the mountains, take the opportunity to bring it out of hibernation.
For many Norwegians, this day symbolizes the end of winter and the start of the outdoor season.
June – The transition to summer
Midsummer (end of June, Sweden) – The Festival of Light
Midsummer is one of the most important festivals in Sweden and marks the final end of spring.
✔ Erection of the Maypole (Majstång): A pole decorated with flowers is erected in the center of the festival.
✔ Dance & Music: People dance in traditional circles around the maypole and sing Swedish folk songs.
✔ Flower wreaths: Many Swedes tie flower wreaths and wear them in their hair – a symbol of happiness and fertility.
Although Midsummer is considered a summer festival, for many Swedes it is the moment when spring is finally bid farewell.
Historical spring rituals of the Vikings
Even the ancient Vikings had rituals to welcome spring.
✔ Offerings to Freyr & Odin: To ensure a fertile harvest, sacrifices were made to the gods.
✔ Spring festivals: Historians suspect that there were already celebrations of the return of light back then – with mead, music and dances.
✔ Connection with nature: Spring was seen as a sign from the gods that the dark season was over.
Although these ancient rites are no longer active today, the Scandinavians' connection to nature remains strong.
Conclusion: Spring in Scandinavia is full of magic
The beginning of spring in Scandinavia is more than just a change of season – it is a symbol of light, life and community.
✔ March: Danish Easter breakfast as the first celebration of spring
✔ April: Walpurgis Night (Valborg/Vappu) with large fires and festivals
✔ May: The first warm Sunday in Norway as an outdoor start
✔ June: Midsummer as a final farewell to spring
Whether you want to celebrate spring with a picnic, a bonfire, or a flower wreath, Scandinavian customs offer you many ways to welcome the new season!