What is the best time to visit Sweden?

Best Time to Visit Sweden

The best time to travel to Sweden is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October).

Spring in Sweden

Spring in Sweden is characterized by the gradual thawing of snow and ice, as well as the blooming of various wildflowers. The days become longer and the temperatures become milder, with the average temperature in April being around 10°C (50°F). This is the perfect time to explore the outdoors, as the weather is pleasant and the trails are free from snow. Visitors can also witness the spectacular phenomenon of the midnight sun during the months of May and June. Popular attractions during this time include the Skansen Open-Air Museum in Stockholm, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, and the Abisko National Park.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Sweden

Sweden in January

Weather

January in Sweden is generally cold and dark, with temperatures hovering around 0°C (32°F) and daylight lasting only around 6-7 hours. Snow is common, and the further north you go the colder and darker it gets.

Events

• The Swedish Winter Market (Vintermarknad) is held in Stockholm in early January. This festival is a celebration of all things winter, with food, music, and crafts.
• The Vasaloppet is a long-distance cross-country skiing race held in Dalarna. It is the oldest and longest cross-country ski race in the world, and is held in late January.
• The Gotland Grand National is a horse race held on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It is the largest horse race in Scandinavia and is held in late January.
• The Gothenburg International Film Festival is a major film festival held in Gothenburg in late January. The festival showcases a variety of films from around the world.
• The Stockholm International Boat Show is held in early January. This show is one of the largest boat shows in the world, and showcases boats from all over the world.

Sweden in January

Weather

January in Sweden is usually cold and snowy. Temperatures range from -5 to 5 degrees Celsius (23-41 degrees Fahrenheit).

Events

• The Swedish National Day of Winter Sports is held on the second Saturday of January. This event celebrates the country’s winter sports culture and includes skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating.
• The Gothenburg International Film Festival is held in late January. This festival showcases the best of Swedish and international cinema.
• The Stockholm Marathon is held in late January. This event attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
• The Swedish Ice Hockey Championships are held in January. This event is the biggest ice hockey tournament in the country.
• The Stockholm International Boat Show is held in early January. This event showcases the latest in boating and sailing technology.

Sweden in March

Weather

In March, the weather in Sweden is usually cold and wet. Temperatures range from -2°C to 7°C, and snow is still a possibility.

Events

• The Gothenburg International Film Festival is held in March, and is one of the largest film festivals in Scandinavia.
• The Stockholm Marathon is held in March, and is one of the largest marathons in Europe.
• The Vasa Ski Race is held in March, and is one of the longest ski races in the world.
• The Gotland Grand National is held in March, and is the largest horse race in Sweden.
• The Swedish National Day is celebrated in March, and is a national holiday that celebrates the country’s culture and history.

Sweden in April

Weather

April in Sweden is the start of the spring season. The temperatures start to rise and the days become longer. Average temperatures range from 4°C to 12°C, and rainfall is common.

Events

• Easter is celebrated in April in Sweden. Traditional Easter activities such as egg hunts and church services are held.
• Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Night) is celebrated on April 30th. This is a traditional Swedish holiday that marks the arrival of spring. People gather around bonfires and sing traditional songs.
• The Göteborg International Film Festival is held in April. This is one of the largest film festivals in Scandinavia.
• The Stockholm Marathon is held in April. This is one of the largest marathons in the world, with over 20,000 participants.
• The Stockholm Culture Festival is held in April. This is a week-long festival that celebrates the culture and history of Stockholm. There are concerts, art exhibitions, and other activities.

Sweden in May

Weather

May in Sweden is usually a pleasant month, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. The days are long, with sunrise occurring around 4:30 a.m. and sunset occurring around 10:00 p.m. It is not unusual for the weather to be sunny and warm during the day, and cool and damp at night.

Events

• May 1st is a national holiday in Sweden, known as Första Maj or International Workers’ Day. This day is celebrated with parades, speeches, and other festivities.
• On May 5th, Swedes celebrate Valborgsmässoafton, or Walpurgis Night. This is an ancient pagan holiday that is celebrated with bonfires, singing, and dancing.
• The Vasa Museum in Stockholm hosts a Viking Festival on May 17th and 18th. Visitors can experience a Viking-style market, workshops, and performances.
• The Göteborg International Film Festival takes place in Gothenburg from May 15th to 25th. This festival showcases the best in international and Swedish film.
• The Stockholm Culture Festival is held in the city of Stockholm from May 23rd to 25th. This festival features music, art, and performances from around the world.

Sweden in June

Weather

June is a great month to visit Sweden, as the days are long and the temperatures are pleasant. The average temperature is around 18°C (64°F), with the highest temperatures reaching up to 25°C (77°F). The sun sets late in the evening, usually around 10pm, and the days are filled with sunshine.

Events

• Midsummer is one of the most important holidays in Sweden and is celebrated on the longest day of the year, usually around June 21. The holiday is celebrated with singing, dancing, and feasting, and is a great opportunity to experience Swedish culture.
• The Stockholm Marathon is held in June, usually on the last weekend of the month. This is a great opportunity to explore the city and take part in a fun and challenging event.
• The Gothenburg Culture Festival is held in June and is a great opportunity to experience Swedish culture and music. The festival features a wide variety of music, art, and food.
• The Gotland Grand National is held in June and is one of the largest horse racing events in Sweden. The event features a variety of races and is a great opportunity to experience the thrill of horse racing.
• The Gothenburg International Film Festival is held in June and is one of the largest film festivals in Scandinavia. The festival features a wide variety of films from around the world and is a great opportunity to experience the world of cinema.

Sweden in July

Weather

July in Sweden is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F). The days are long, with up to 19 hours of daylight in the southernmost parts of the country.

Events

• Midsummer Festival: Celebrated on the longest day of the year (around June 21st), Midsummer is one of the most important holidays in Sweden. People celebrate by dressing up in traditional clothing, singing, dancing, and eating traditional foods.
• Stockholm Pride: Stockholm Pride is one of the largest LGBT pride events in Europe, held in the capital city of Stockholm. The event includes a parade, concerts, and other activities.
• Uppsala International Short Film Festival: This festival takes place in Uppsala, Sweden, and showcases short films from around the world.
• Gotland Game Conference: This event is held in Visby, Sweden, and is a conference for game developers and industry professionals.
• Kalmar Castle Festival: This festival takes place in Kalmar, Sweden, and celebrates the history and culture of the region. There are concerts, art exhibitions, and other activities.

Sweden in August

Weather

August is the warmest month of the year in Sweden, with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). The days are long and sunny, with an average of 17 hours of daylight.

Events

• Midsummer is one of the most important holidays in Sweden, celebrated on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. Traditional activities include singing, dancing, and eating herring, potatoes, and strawberries.
• The Stockholm Culture Festival is held in August, with a variety of cultural events and activities taking place in the city.
• The Gotland Game Conference is a major event in the gaming industry, bringing together game developers, publishers, and players.
• The Gotland Grand National is a popular horse race held in Visby, Gotland.
• The Gotland Runt is a sailing race around the island of Gotland, with boats of all sizes competing.

Sweden in September

Weather

September in Sweden marks the beginning of autumn. The days become shorter and the temperatures drop, with average highs of around 15°C (59°F) and lows of around 7°C (45°F). Rain is common throughout the month, so visitors should come prepared with an umbrella and waterproof clothing.

Events

• The Stockholm International Film Festival is held in September, showcasing the best of Swedish and international cinema.
• The Gothenburg Culture Festival is held in late September, offering a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, such as concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions.
• The Öland Roots Festival is held in early September, and is one of the largest folk music festivals in Sweden.
• The Malmö Festival is held in mid-September, and is one of the largest street festivals in Sweden.
• The Stockholm Marathon is held in late September, and is one of the largest marathons in Europe.

Sweden in October

Weather

October in Sweden is generally mild and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 3-10°C (37-50°F). The days are shorter and the nights are longer, with the sun setting around 6:30pm. Rainfall is common, with an average of about 15 days of rain during the month.

Events

• Mid-Autumn Festival: Celebrated on the 15th of October, this festival is also known as the Moon Festival. It is a traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated in Sweden with lanterns, mooncakes, and family gatherings.
• Stockholm Culture Festival: This is a week-long event that takes place in the beginning of October. It is a celebration of Stockholm’s culture, featuring art, music, and theater performances.
• Halloween: This spooky holiday is celebrated on the 31st of October. Swedes celebrate with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and haunted houses.
• All Saints’ Day: This is a Christian holiday celebrated on the 1st of November. It is a day to remember and honor the saints and martyrs of the faith.
• Nobel Prize Ceremony: This is a prestigious event that takes place in Stockholm on the 10th of December. It is a celebration of the Nobel Prize winners and their achievements.

Sweden in November

Weather

November in Sweden is a cold and dark month, with temperatures ranging from -2°C to 6°C and an average of 3°C. The days are short, with only 6-7 hours of daylight, and snow is common.

Events

• All Saints’ Day (November 1st): This is a Christian holiday in Sweden, celebrated by visiting graves and lighting candles.
• Lucia Day (December 13th): This is a traditional Swedish holiday, celebrated with a procession of people dressed in white robes with candles.
• Advent (November 27th – December 24th): This is a season of preparation for Christmas, celebrated with Advent calendars and other traditions.
• Christmas (December 25th): This is a major holiday in Sweden, celebrated with a traditional Christmas dinner, gift-giving, and decorations.
• New Year’s Eve (December 31st): This is a major holiday in Sweden, celebrated with fireworks and parties.

Sweden in December

Weather

December is the darkest month of the year in Sweden, with only about five hours of daylight. Temperatures are usually below freezing, so it is important to dress warmly. Snow is common during this time of year, and temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Events

• Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13th and is one of the most important Swedish holidays. It is a celebration of light and marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Lucia Day is celebrated with processions of people wearing white robes and candles.
• Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is a time of joy and celebration. People exchange gifts and enjoy traditional Swedish Christmas dishes such as Janssons Frestelse (a potato and anchovy casserole) and lutfisk (a dish of dried cod).
• New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31st. People gather in public squares and watch fireworks displays to celebrate the start of the new year.
• The Nobel Prize Ceremony is held in Stockholm on December 10th. This ceremony honors the recipients of the Nobel Prize in various fields, including literature, physics, chemistry, and medicine.
• The Yule Goat is a traditional Swedish figure that is made of straw and is said to bring good luck. It is usually placed on the roof of homes during December and is a symbol of the Christmas season.