Visiting Sweden on National Day
Sweden celebrates National Day on 6 June. In 2027 it falls on a Sunday. It is a public holiday. Check museum and shop opening hours and public transport departures separately. If you want to join a celebration, look for the organiser’s 2027 listing and check the admission conditions. The date and public holiday status were checked on 5 November 2026.
When is Sweden’s National Day?
Sweden’s Public Holidays Act sets the date as 6 June, including when it falls on a Sunday. In Swedish calendars you will see Sveriges nationaldag or simply Nationaldagen. For other dates and advice on choosing a season, see our guide to when to visit Sweden. The date was checked on 5 November 2026 against the Public Holidays Act and Visit Sweden’s 2027 public holiday calendar.
Why does Sweden celebrate on 6 June?
The date commemorates two events: the election of Gustav Vasa as king and Sweden’s 1809 Instrument of Government. The celebrations, the official name and the public holiday came at different points in history. Nordiska museet and the Institute for Language and Folklore explain how they developed.
How 6 June became Sweden's National Day
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1523 | Gustav Vasa was elected king. |
| 1809 | The date is associated with Sweden’s 1809 Instrument of Government. |
| 1893 | Artur Hazelius held a celebration at Skansen. |
| 1916 | 6 June became known as Swedish Flag Day. |
| 1983 | The date officially became Sweden's National Day. |
| 2005 | The date became a public holiday. |
Isof on the history of Sweden’s National Day · Nordiska museet on the history of the day. Checked 5 November 2026.
What does the public holiday mean for visitors?
Allmän helgdag means public holiday. Look up special opening hours for the particular museum or shop you want to visit. For Systembolaget, start with its holiday opening hours and then find your chosen shop. Search for buses and trains using your travel date, including for the return journey.
Look up the museum's hours for the exact date
Stockholm’s Police Museum lists 6 June 2027 as closed in its special opening hours. Check the equivalent information for the museum you plan to visit. Police Museum special opening hours for 2027. Checked 5 November 2026.
Where can you find National Day events in 2027?
In Stockholm, start with Skansen. In other towns, look at the municipal events calendar. Find a listing for 2027 and check the venue, admission and start time for the part of the programme you want to attend. The National Day Foundation’s guide to celebrations covers several formats, including municipal ceremonies for new citizens. Check whom the organiser invites to a particular ceremony. If you want to combine an event with a walk, see our Stockholm travel guide. The source was checked on 5 November 2026.
Skansen and Salem have announced different details
- National Day at Skansen: the organiser has a page for 2027 and will publish details there.
- National Day celebrations in Salem: the municipality has announced a celebration in Skönviksparken on 6 June 2027. A programme update is due in spring 2027.
Check times, tickets and admission with each organiser. Checked 5 November 2026.
How does Sweden’s National Day differ from Sámi National Day?
The word nationaldag appears in Sveriges nationaldag and in one of the Swedish names for Sámi National Day, Samernas nationaldag. Search for the full name to find the right date and programme. Sweden’s Public Holidays Act lists National Day on 6 June. For more about local customs, see our guide to Swedish culture and everyday etiquette.
Two observances on different dates
Sweden’s National Day falls on 6 June. Sámi National Day, also called Samefolkets dag in Swedish, falls on 6 February. For the history and symbols of the Sámi observance, see Sámi National Day.
Sweden’s Public Holidays Act · Sametinget on Sámi National Day. Checked 5 November 2026.
How can you plan your visit and journey back?
If you have one day, choose one event with clear admission conditions and a walk nearby. In Stockholm, check connections and your return departure in SL’s journey planner. For a backup, choose part of the route in Two days in Stockholm. Check our guide to Sweden’s weather and seasons before your trip. If you are bringing a pushchair or using a wheelchair, check accessibility for the specific entrance and area you plan to visit.
Plan your journey back as well
- Check the programme, year and venue.
- Check admission, registration and accessibility for the activity you chose.
- Save the outward and return routes and check the departure after the event.
- Choose a nearby backup option.
Updated: 05.11.2026.
Questions and answers
No. In 2027 Sweden’s National Day falls on Sunday 6 June. Monday 7 June does not become an additional public holiday. See the Public Holidays Act and Visit Sweden’s public holiday calendar.
The date is both Sweden’s National Day and Swedish Flag Day. Both names appear in the ordinance on official flag days.
6 June officially became Sweden’s National Day in 1983. It became a public holiday in 2005. See the histories from the Institute for Language and Folklore and Nordiska museet.
Look for the year beside the event date on the organiser’s page. Check that the hours and admission terms also apply to that year. Salem Municipality has a listing for 2027, with the programme still to come.
On Skansen’s English National Day page, the organiser says it will add information about the celebration on 6 June 2027 later.
The municipality has announced the date and park. Choose a time once Salem Municipality updates the programme, which it plans to do in spring 2027.
Check the municipality’s announcement. The organiser sets the conditions for attending each ceremony. See the National Day Foundation’s guide to different celebrations.
The Police Museum’s special opening hours for 2027 list 6 June as closed. Check the current page before setting out.
Open Systembolaget’s holiday opening hours, then find your chosen shop. Systembolaget says hours may vary locally.
Enter the venue as your starting point, your travel date and your preferred departure time in SL’s journey planner. Check again before leaving if you plan to return late.
Check admission for the specific venue or area. Skansen’s Swedish page and its English page have yet to list conditions for individual events in 2027.
You can choose how to celebrate. The National Day Foundation describes both local events and celebrations with family and friends.
Sources
- Sweden’s Public Holidays Act, sections 1 and 2
- Institute for Language and Folklore on the date and history of National Day
- Nordiska museet on Sweden’s National Day
- Sweden’s National Day Foundation on ways to celebrate
- Visit Sweden’s 2027 public holiday calendar
- Skansen’s Swedish page for National Day 2027
- Police Museum special opening hours for 2027
- Sametinget on Sámi National Day
- Systembolaget’s holiday opening hours
- Salem Municipality’s National Day celebrations in 2027
- SL’s journey planner
- Ordinance on official flag days
- Skansen’s English page for National Day 2027
Sources checked on 5 November 2026.
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