🕯 Saint Lucia's Day in Sweden: candlelit processions, songs and morning miracles on 13 December

🎯 Why 13 December is a special day in the Swedish winter

There is one date in the Swedish winter calendar that stands out — 13 December, Saint Lucia's Day. It is a morning when it is still dark, but candles are lit in schools, kindergartens, churches and even offices, children wear white dresses, songs are sung, and a procession of light slowly makes its way through the hall.

For Sweden, Lucia is not just the name of a saint from the Christian tradition. It is a celebration of light during the darkest time of the year, when the days are short, the sun barely rises above the horizon, and people especially need a symbol of warmth and hope. That is why Lucia has become one of the key images of Swedish winter — on a par with Advent and Christmas.

This article is for anyone who has ever seen a photo or short video of a girl wearing a wreath of candles and thought, ‘What is this holiday and why is it so important?’ We will explore how Saint Lucia's Day came about, what happens on 13 December in schools, churches and towns, how children and adults participate in it — and what a tourist, expat or parent whose child is attending a Lucia celebration for the first time can see.

📖 A brief history of Lucia: from saint to Swedish symbol of light

The story begins far from Sweden — in Sicily. Saint Lucia of Syracuse is considered a martyr and patron saint of light and sight in Christian tradition. Her name comes from the Latin lux, meaning ‘light,’ and in iconography she is often associated with the themes of inner light, faith, and hope.

Over time, the cult of Lucia spread throughout Europe and, in some form, reached Scandinavia. In Sweden, it gradually became intertwined with local ideas about winter and darkness. In the old Julian calendar, 13 December was approximately the day of the winter solstice, i.e. the ‘longest night’. This gave rise to a very logical image: in the darkness of winter, a figure appears with candles, bringing light.

Gradually, the religious theme was transformed into a cultural symbol. In the 20th century, Lucia became established in schools, churches and the media: competitions for Lucia of the Year were held, large concerts were organised, and performances were broadcast on television. The image of a white dress, red belt and wreath with candles became as ‘Swedish’ as Advent stars in windows.

Today in Sweden, Lucia is both a memory of a saint and a very earthly, understandable image:

a person with light who appears on one of the darkest days of the year to remind us that Christmas, lights and the gradual return of the sun are ahead.

🕯 The image of Lucia: a white dress, candles and a wreath

Saint Lucia's Day has a very recognisable visual symbol that is easy to recognise even for those who know nothing about the holiday. This is the figure of Lucia:

• in a long white dress,
• with a red belt at the waist,
• with a wreath on her head with candles inserted into it.

The white colour of the dress is usually interpreted as a symbol of purity and light, the red belt as a reminder of sacrifice and strength, and the wreath with candles is a pure image of ‘bringing light’ in the midst of winter darkness. When Lucia walks through a dark hall, and the only light is her candles and the candles of those who follow her, it becomes clear why this image is so captivating: it is literally a small ‘enlightenment’ of winter.

In the past, the candles on the wreath were real — with fire and wax that carefully dripped down the stand. Today, more and more people are switching to electric candles:

• it is safer for children and long hair;
• processions can be long and crowded, and the electric version removes unnecessary stress;
• while the visual effect remains the same — a soft, warm light above Lucia's head.

Modern Sweden is quite flexible about the image of Lucia.

In different schools and communities, you can see:

• wreaths not only with ‘classic’ candles, but also with a more minimalist design;
• Lucia with different appearances, heights and ages — the ideal ‘canon’ is gradually giving way to real children and teenagers;
• processions where it is not a strict set of attributes that is important, but the idea itself: someone comes out in white with a light, others follow him, and together they carry light in the darkness.

Thus, the image of Lucia remains recognisable but alive: it is not frozen in the form of a museum picture, but changes gently along with society, without losing its main symbolism.

👧👦 Who participates: Lucia, her friends, ‘star boys’ and tomtenissar

The Lucia procession is always not just one girl in a wreath, but a whole little ‘entourage of light.’ In the classic version, the structure looks like this:

• Lucia — the main figure in a white dress with a red belt and a wreath with candles on her head.
• Lucia's friends are a group of girls, also in white dresses, with loose hair or braids, usually holding candles (nowadays, more often electric ones).
• Stjärngossar are “star boys” in white shirts, with cone-shaped caps decorated with stars, and sometimes with small stars on sticks.
• Tomtenissar are children dressed as little gnomes/elves: red caps, sweaters, sometimes striped socks and aprons.

In schools and kindergartens, roles are usually assigned in advance:

• older children often claim the role of Lucia or stjärngosse;
• younger children are happy to be tomtenissar — it's easier, cosy and very cute;
• some prefer to just be in white with a candle, without a ‘special role’, and that's fine too.

For expat parents, it sometimes looks like an easy quest:

• a few weeks before the holiday, a letter/message arrives from the school or nursery — what roles are needed and what costume to prepare;
• examples are often given: a white dress/shirt, red belt, cap, simple accessories;
• Shops also help at this time — ready-made costumes and sets appear on sale before 13 December.

Modern Sweden is gradually moving away from the rigid framework of ‘girls are only friends, boys are only stars’ — a flexible, relaxed approach is becoming more common:

• a boy can go in white with a candle, a girl — in a cap with stars;
• Lucia does not always have to be ‘classic’ in appearance — more and more often, the child's desire and comfort are more important than the template;
• in some schools and communities, there are Lucia boys and mixed processions without strict divisions.

The main thing in this procession is not a perfect picture for a postcard, but the feeling that children together bring light, song and celebration. Everything else is details that change from school to school and from year to year.

🏫 Lucia in schools and kindergartens: how the holiday is celebrated

For many Swedish children, Saint Lucia's Day is, first and foremost, a school or kindergarten morning that will be remembered for a lifetime. This is where the first ‘real’ Lucia takes place: with white dresses, candles, songs and excited parents with cameras.

Usually, it looks like this:

• the celebration takes place early in the morning — sometimes so early that it is still completely dark outside;
• the children gather in a separate room or corridor and line up in a procession: Lucia in front, followed by her friends, star boys and tomtenissar;
• then they slowly walk through the corridors or enter the hall, where their parents, other classes or staff are waiting for them.

This is followed by a short programme:

• several songs, always including “Sankta Lucia”;
• sometimes poems, short scenes or performances;
• teachers or educators help with prompts so that even the youngest children feel confident.

After the performance, there is almost always something tasty:

• saffron buns lussekatter;
• ginger biscuits pepparkakor;
• juice, tea, coffee, sometimes non-alcoholic glögg for adults.

Several things are important for expat parents:

• 📩 Information in advance.
• Usually, the school or nursery sends a letter/message with details:
  • when and at what time to arrive;
  • what role the child will play;
  • what costume is needed (white dress, cap, belt, accessories) .
• ⏰ You need to arrive early.
• You are often asked to bring your child earlier than usual so that they have time to change, line up and calm down a little before the performance.
• 👗 The costume is the family's responsibility.
• Basic items such as a white shirt, dress, belt or hat are usually prepared by the family. Shops are a great help: before 13 December, everything you need is available for purchase.
• 🤝 Participation does not have to be “perfect”.
• If the child is shy, they can stand aside, hold a candle and just sing quietly. The important thing is that they take part in the general celebration, not the quality of their performance.

For a child, this morning often becomes a feeling:

‘Yes, now winter has really begun, and Christmas is ahead.’

And for a parent, it is one of those moments when Swedish culture ceases to be an abstraction and becomes very personal: your child is part of a living tradition.

⛪ Lucia in churches and public venues

In addition to school and kindergarten celebrations, Lucia has another, more ‘adult’ face — solemn processions in churches and large halls. This is no longer just a cute children's holiday, but real concerts of light and music, where whole families and groups come together.

In churches, Lucia looks especially classical and intimate:

• a dimly lit hall, only candles and soft lighting;
• a slow entrance of the procession: first Lucia, then the choir;
• a strong emphasis on songs, vocal harmony, a sense of silence and respect. Here, Lucia is perceived not as a school costume party, but as a winter spiritual and cultural ritual — even for those who do not consider themselves religious.

In addition, there are Lucia concerts:

• in large cathedrals and city churches;
• in cultural centres, concert halls, sometimes on open-air stages;
• in parks and squares — with microphones, lighting and sometimes broadcasts.
• This is already a ‘city event’ format, attended by both locals and tourists.

If you are visiting as a guest, the logic is simple:

• look for information on the websites of cities, churches and cultural centres;
• many large Lucia concerts require tickets, which are best purchased in advance;
• some events are free, but you need to arrive early to get a seat.
• It is often enough to enter the name of the city + ‘Lucia’ in the search engine and look at the posters for December.

How does church/official Lucia differ from school Lucia:

• school Lucia is more homely and touching, with excited children and whispering parents;
• church and concert Lucia is more musically refined, with powerful voices, a choir and careful lighting;
• school Lucia is about ‘my child is participating’,
• official Lucia is about the feeling that you have become part of a large winter ritual that is common to the whole country.

If possible, it is ideal to see both formats at least once: the morning Lucia at school and the evening concert in the church. Then the puzzle of the Swedish winter comes together much more completely.

🎶 Lucia songs: what is played on 13 December

Lucia has its own soundtrack. Even if you have never been to Sweden, there is a good chance that when you hear the main melody, you will think, ‘Ah, so that's what it is.’

At the heart of it all is the song ‘Sankta Lucia’.

It is sung everywhere:

• in schools and kindergartens;
• in church processions;
• at large Lucia concerts;
• sometimes even in offices and at small corporate parties.

The melody is slow, smooth, and somewhat hypnotic. In a dimly lit hall, where the only light comes from Lucia candles and the procession, it is perceived not just as a song, but as sound light: the music seems to ‘illuminate’ the space from within.

In addition to ‘Sankta Lucia,’ other winter and Christmas songs are often sung, such as:

• ‘Natten går tunga fjät’ — one of the classic versions of the lyrics for the melody ‘Sankta Lucia’;
• “Luciasången”, ‘Staffan var en stalledräng’ and other traditional Swedish songs.

Children learn them in advance, sometimes without fully understanding all the words, but with a very good sense of the mood. And adults know that as soon as the choir starts ‘Sankta Lucia’, it means that the darkest part of winter is officially illuminated from within — and from then on there will only be more lights and Christmas will be getting closer.

🍪 Treats and smells: lussekatter, coffee and winter fika

Saint Lucia's Day has its own very recognisable taste and smell. If you close your eyes and imagine 13 December in Swedish, it will not only be candlelight, but also the warm smell of baking and coffee.

The star here is lussekatter. These are soft saffron buns, bright yellow in colour, often shaped like curls, with raisins. They are baked at home, served in schools, and sold in bakeries and supermarkets. They have a delicate, slightly sweet taste, and the smell of saffron makes Lucia morning special — even if you got up too early.

There are almost always pepparkakor nearby — thin ginger biscuits with cinnamon and cloves. They are placed on plates after processions, brought to offices, and served with coffee. Sometimes children bake them in advance in class or at home and then treat their classmates.

The drinks are as simple and cosy as possible:

• strong coffee for adults;
• tea for those who are not friends with caffeine;
• non-alcoholic glögg for children and family events.

There is an unspoken rule:

after the Lucia procession, there must be fika. Whether it's a school morning programme, a church concert or a small ritual at home, there will almost always be a table nearby with buns, biscuits and something hot in mugs.

Thus, Lucia becomes not only a celebration of light and music, but also a very physical, warm experience: you don't just look at the candles, you inhale the saffron, pick up a hot mug and share the moment with other people.

🕗 What Lucia Day looks like ‘by the hour’

Saint Lucia's Day is not a single brief moment, but a whole layered day, which children, adults and cities experience in different ways. It can be broken down as follows.

Early morning: schools and kindergartens

The most ‘magical’ part happens in the morning:

• it is still dark, and many arrive at school or kindergarten earlier than usual;
• the children change into costumes and line up in the corridor;
• parents and guests wait in the hall, where the lights are dimmed.

Then the door opens and a procession slowly enters the dimly lit room: Lucia with a wreath, followed by her friends, star boys and tomtenissar. Sankta Lucia plays, the children sing, and some quietly wave to their parents. After the performance, there is fika with lussekatter and pepparkakor.

Daytime: offices, hospitals, nursing homes

During the day, Lucia ‘enters the adult world’:

• small processions may visit offices to give a short concert for employees;
• choirs and school groups perform in nursing homes, hospitals, care centres, bringing light to those who cannot attend the celebration themselves;
• in some places it is a formal visit, and in others it is a very touching tradition that is eagerly awaited every year.

For many people, Lucia Day is a reminder that they are remembered, even if they cannot actively participate in the celebration.

Evening: concerts and church services

In the evening, the focus shifts to churches and public venues:

• large Lucia concerts are held in cathedrals and concert halls;
• open-air events are organised in cities, sometimes under the open sky;
• people come with their whole families to listen to the choir, watch the processions, or simply enjoy the silence and candlelight.

By this time, many have already left behind the morning school emotions, the working day and their chores. Evening Lucia is like a soft point at the end of the day: one more chance to remember the light in the midst of winter darkness, before the Swedish winter returns to its usual rhythm — already with the feeling that the darkest moment has passed.

✈️ Lucia through the eyes of a tourist: where and how to see it

If you happen to be in Sweden around 13 December, you are very lucky: this is a great chance to see Lucia ‘live’ and not just in photographs. Even in a couple of days, you can experience this holiday.

What you can see

Public Lucia concerts

In large cities (and many small ones too), there are:

• concerts in cathedrals and parish churches;
• choir performances in cultural centres and concert halls.

This is usually the most ‘cinematic’ version of Lucia: a darkened hall, a choir, perfect polyphonic songs, a beautifully arranged procession.

Processions and parades in cities

In Stockholm, Gothenburg and other large cities, you can see:

• Lucia processions in churches, schools and squares;
• sometimes — parades or outdoor performances in parks and on central streets.

Some of these events are free, some require tickets. But even just walking around the city centre, it's easy to come across posters or a procession already in progress.

Cafés, bakeries and shop windows

Shop windows and cafés also pick up on the Lucia theme:

• lussekatter and special ‘Lucia sets’ for fika appear on the menu;
• shop windows are decorated in light and yellow-gold tones, with candles and decorations;
• on the morning of 13 December, many bakeries open a little earlier and display mountains of fresh saffron buns.

If you just pop into a local bakery for breakfast, you are very likely to find yourself in the heart of the Lucia spirit.

How to find events in advance

It is best to do a little preparation:

• check the official city website (Events/Evenemang section);
• check the websites of major churches and cathedrals — they usually publish the schedule of Lucia concerts;
• check tourist portals and information centres: they often compile lists of Lucia events;
• search locally for the name of the city + ‘Lucia’ — and look at the posters.

Tickets for popular evening concerts may sell out in advance, so if you really want to attend a ‘big’ Lucia event, it is best to plan it as a separate item on your itinerary.

How to behave at events

The rules are simple and based on respect:

• arrive a little early so you can take your seat calmly and avoid causing a commotion;
• during the procession and songs, it is better not to walk around the hall or talk;
• photos and videos are usually allowed, but:
  • the sound on your phone must be turned off;
  • it is better to take pictures discreetly, without a flash;
  • if it is a church, sometimes they ask not to take pictures — it is worth checking at the entrance or following the lead of others.

If you perceive Lucia not as a ‘show’ but as an important winter ritual for the country, the impression will be much deeper. You will see not just beautiful people in white with candles, but that very Swedish ‘light in the darkness’ that is so often talked about in winter.

🌍 Lucia for expats and ‘newcomers to the tradition’

If you have recently moved to Sweden, Saint Lucia's Day can easily cause a slight panic: everyone knows everything, sings, dresses as if they have been doing so ‘since childhood’, and you are just trying to figure out how to approach this holiday. This is normal.

Should you prepare your children in advance?

A little preparation certainly won't hurt:

• Explain in simple terms what this day is: a celebration of light, where candles are lit in winter, songs are sung, and children put on a beautiful morning performance.
• Show photos or a short video of the Lucia procession so that your child is not surprised by the costumes and candles.
• if the school has sent the lyrics to the songs, you can quietly practise at home, but without the pressure to “learn them perfectly”.

Costumes are easier than they seem:

• the school or nursery will write in advance what is needed — a white dress/shirt, belt, cap, tomtenisse ears;
• at the end of November and beginning of December, shops have entire shelves with ready-made options;
• the main thing is your child's comfort, not a perfect copy of the catalogue.

How not to feel out of place

The feeling of ‘I'm a stranger here’ is very understandable in such traditions, but:

• Swedes are used to the fact that there are many people in the country who are ‘outside the system’ and usually take it in stride.
• No one expects you to understand everything perfectly and sing in Swedish from the first year.
• It is enough just to be present, support your child, listen and share the moment.

You can allow yourself to be an observer:

look at what is happening with curiosity, rather than through the prism of ‘I'm doing everything wrong.’ In a year or two, Lucia will become part of your ‘own’ winter set, and the feeling of alienation will go away on its own.

Little Lucia at home

Even if you don't have a school procession or didn't manage to get to the concerts, you can arrange Lucia in a mini-format at home:

• light a couple of candles on the table in the morning;
• pour some coffee or tea, put some lussekatter or your favourite biscuits on a plate;
• play one of the Lucia songs quietly in the background;
• give yourself a few minutes of silence before starting your day.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do this — it's just a way to capture the essence of the holiday: a little light, warmth and community in the midst of winter darkness. Even such a small ritual helps you feel that you are not just looking at the tradition from the outside, but living a little bit inside it.

🔚 Lucia as the heart of the Swedish winter

Saint Lucia's Day is the moment when Swedish winter seems to turn on its inner light. Yes, it is still dark outside, the days are short, and there is still time before Christmas, but 13 December feels like a turning point: we have passed the darkest point, and from now on there will only be more lights, music and warmth.

Lucia is based on very simple things — white dresses, candles, saffron buns, songs, and a sleepy morning crowd of parents and children. But together, these things become one of the most touching and recognisable symbols of Swedish winter.

If you have the opportunity, try to see Saint Lucia's Day live at least once — at school, church or a city concert. And if you are far from Sweden, you can still bring a little of this light into your life: light a candle on the morning of 13 December, play a Lucia song, drink coffee with a bun and allow yourself a few minutes of silence.

And to complete the picture, take a look at our articles on Advent, Christmas, winter holidays and regions of Sweden. Together, they show how the country lives in winter: not fighting the darkness, but gradually filling it with its own light.