Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration in Sweden, and it falls on a Tuesday in 2024. It’s not officially a public holiday, although most office workers are given the day off and plenty of companies shut up shop as people want to spend time with family.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both public holidays, so-called “red days”.
New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday (although most people have the day off – obviously depending on your line of work) but New Year’s Day is a red day.
Many smaller independent stores will be closed on Christmas Eve and the public holidays. In fact, as Christmas Eve falls on a Tuesday, many of these shops may simply choose to stay closed on the Monday too or take the whole week off.
If you want to buy things like clothes or makeup, or last-minute Christmas presents, be aware that most shops will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (although some major shopping centres may be open). Sweden's post-Christmas sales start on Boxing Day, so most shops will probably reopen on Boxing Day.
There are no legislated opening hours during Christmas in Sweden and unlike a couple of decades ago, most supermarkets nowadays will stay open even on the public holidays. They will however most likely have reduced opening hours.
Systembolaget, Sweden’s state-owned alcohol monopoly, is the exception: it will be completely closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
It will be open until at least 7pm on December 23rd, but it’s likely to be a busy day, so if you’re planning to purchase alcohol, it may make sense to do so the week before.
Systembolaget will be open until 3pm on New Year’s Eve, but will probably sell out of sparkling wine well before that, so again, plan your alcohol purchases in advance.
If you have bills that need paying, check the deadlines for transferring money with your chosen bank, as you won’t be able to transfer money to other banks on red days.
Many doctors’ offices or health centres will close on public holidays or over the entire holiday period, but obviously the emergency unit at major hospitals will stay open. If you need healthcare advice, call 1177 or, only in case of emergency, 112.
When it comes to restaurants, bars and cafés, opening hours will vary wildly, with Christmas Eve being the most likely day for them to close (although some restaurants will have special Christmas Eve menus, which are probably fully booked by now).
Assume that most attractions such as museums will be closed on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day – although if you’re in Stockholm, outdoor museum Skansen will be open throughout the festive period, including for its famous New Year’s Eve concert.
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