Things to Do in Sweden in April [2026]

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On Easter, Swedish children dress up as Easter witches. And they receive cardboard Easter eggs filled with candy. Photo Credit: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se.

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Days are getting longer and spring is just around the corner. Is Sweden in April in a good time to visit? The weather could be better, but there are two important holidays. Plus: no crowds and some great indoor and outdoor events that might make it a great time to visit Sweden!


Last Updated: 30 December 2025


Top Events in Sweden in April

Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden.  So that’s the top draw when Easter falls in April.

Otherwise, other events include a science festival in  Gothenburg, a cultural festival in Stockholm, and an unofficial Christian holiday.


Easter in Sweden – 5 April 2026

Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year in Sweden.

And many of the Swedish Easter customs are quite fascinating. In addition, there are other important holidays as well as several interesting festivals.

First, a look at Easter in Sweden, which falls in April in 2025.

Easter Weekend

Easter offers Swedes a rare four-day weekend. While both Friday and Monday are official holidays, many Swedes get an early start, celebrating Maundy Thursday with some uniquely Swedish customs.

In addition, many Swedes have roots in the countryside. Consequently, many families have country cottages, where they can reconnect with nature.

And this is where many Swedes will spend their Easter Weekend!


Maundy Thursday -2 April 2026

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Swedish children dressing up as Easter witches. photo Credit: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se.
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Swedish Easter witches – children dress up as witches on Easter and ask for candy. Photo Credit: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se.

Known as Skärtorsdag in Swedish, Maundy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples. And it falls on the Thursday before Easter.

According to traditional Swedish beliefs, witches flew off on broomsticks to the legendary island of Blåkulla on Maundy Thursday. Once there, they had a feast and danced with the Devil.

So what is the connection with Swedish Easter?  Because Judas betrayed Jesus on this day, evil was released into the world.

In some parts of Sweden, children dress up as Easter witches on Maundy Thursday. And they go door-to-door asking for candy. It is a bit like trick-or-treating in the United States on Halloween.

In other parts of Sweden, children do this on other days. For example, the practice often takes place on Easter Sunday itself.

Maundy Thursday is not an official holiday. However, some businesses shorten their hours.

Future Maundy Thursday Dates

  • 2027 – 25 March
  • 2028 – 13 April
  • 2029 – 29 March
  • 2030 – 18 April

Good Friday – 2 April 2026

Known as Långfredagen in Swedish, Good Friday is a public holiday in Sweden. Schools and most businesses are closed. 

Future Good Friday Dates

  • 2027 – 26 March
  • 2028 – 14 April
  • 2029 – 30 March
  • 2030 – 19 April
  • 2031 – 11 April

 

Holy Saturday – 4 April 2026

Known as PÃ¥skafton in Swedish, Holy Saturday is not an official holiday in Sweden since schools and most businesses are usually closed on Saturday anyway.

Future Holy Saturday Dates

  • 2027 – 26 March
  • 2028 – 14 April
  • 2029 – 30 March
  • 2030 – 19 April
  • 2031 – 11 April

Easter Sunday – 5 April 2026

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Decorating birch twigs for Easter. Photo Credit: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se.
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Decorating Easter eggs for Easter. Photo Credit: Lena Granefelz/imagebank.sweden.se.

Known as PÃ¥skdagen is Swedish, Easter Sunday is the most important holiday for the Church of Sweden.

While Easter has religious roots in Sweden, for most Swedes it has become a secular holiday.

Family gatherings are popular on Easter, and that usually means a mouthwatering smorgasbord. And the same dishes usually served at Christmas and Midsummer are served on Easter.

For example, typical dishes includes pickled herring, potatoes, gravad lax, meatballs, eggs topped with fish roe, and Jansson’s temptation. The latter is a combination of potatoes, onions, and anchovies in a cream sauce.

And it is all washed down with spiced schnapps!

Future Easter Sunday Dates

  • 2026 – 5 April
  • 2027 – 28 March
  • 2028 – 16 April

 

Easter Monday 6 April 2026

Annandag PÃ¥sk in Swedish, Easter Monday is an official holiday in Sweden. Schools and most businesses are closed.

Future Easter Monday Dates

  • 2027 – 29 March
  • 2028 – 17 April
  • 2029 – 2 April
  • 2030 – 22 April
  • 2031 – 14 April

 


Other Important Events in Sweden in April 2026

Here is a list of other important events taking place in Sweden in April 2025.


International Science Festival –  17 to 29 April 2026 

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Some 375 companies, two universities, and six secondary schools have offices in Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg. Photo Credit: Sofia Sabel/imagebank.sweden.se.

About 70,000 people attend hundreds of events at the International Science Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second most populous city.

Known as Vetenskaps Festivalen in Swedish,  the festival is one of Europe’s leading popular science events. And it is the only one of its kind in Sweden.

There are workshops, lectures, private shows, musical and theatrical performances, debates, exhibitions, seminars, and meetings for professionals.

Disciplines range from social sciences and the humanities to natural science and technology.

Some programmes are open to the public. Others are open only to professionals. And some of the programmes are targeted at students.

While most of the activities are held in Swedish, a few are held in English.


International Science Festival – at 30 locations across Gothenburg, Sweden.


Bilsport Performance & Custom Motor Show – 3 to 6 April 2026

Billsport Performance & Customo Motor Show is Scandinavia’s largest car and motorcycle exhibition, featuring custom builds, performance vehicles, motorsport competitions, and family-friendly entertainment.

Elmia Congress & Concert Hall, Elmiavägen 11, 554 54 Jönköping, Sweden.


Stockholm Culture Night – 18 April 2026

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Viktor Gårdsäter Outdoor Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo Credit: Joachim Brink/imagebank.sweden.se

More than 100 cultural events take across across the Swedish capital on Stockholm Culture Night from 6 pm until 12 midnight.

Events include shows and concerts. And they range from dance and music to art, fashion, literature, and crafts.

Most importantly, all of the events are free. And they take place in public places such as parks and squares. In fact, a few of the events are held on bridges!

Stockholm  Culture Night – at venues across Stockholm, Sweden.

 


Supermarket International Art Fair – 23 to 26 April 2026artists-painting-mural-in-stokcholm-sweden

The public can paint murals on a wall in the district of Södermalm in Stockholm, Sweden. It can be painted over and over again. Photo Credit: Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se.

Supermarket – Stockholm Independent Art Fair gives independent artists from around the world the chance to showcase their work.

Attendees include artists, gallerists, collectors, museum directors, and curators.

Genres include paintings, sculpture, sound and other installations, videos, multimedia, and prints.

In addition to exhibitions, there are seminars, performances, and networking opportunities.

Supermarket Stockholm Independent Art Fair – Skrapan, Götgatan 78, Södermalm, Stockholm Sweden.


Walpurgis Night – 30 April  2026

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Bonfire at Skansen in Stockholm, Sweden, on Walpurgis NIght. Photo Credit: Henrik Trygg. Courtesy of Mediabank.VisitStockholm.com

Walpurgis Night in Sweden takes place the evening before the feast of Saint Walpurgis, an eighth century Christian saint. But  it is not an official

Known as Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish, Walpurgis Night is celebrated throughout Northern and Central Europe. And Walpurgis Night  also marks the beginning of spring in Sweden.

Customs vary from place to place. But generally, this is a public rather than private event in Sweden . Most importantly, festivities usually take place in parks and other public spaces.

Festivities on Walpurgis Eve in Sweden include the lighting of bonfires and choral singing. Most of the songs date back to the 19th century. And local dignitaries often give speeches.


Weather in Sweden in April

birch-twigs-with-colorful-feathers
Colourful feathers are attached to birch twigs on Easter. The purpose is to hasten the arrival of spring.  Photo Credit: Lola Akinmade Åkerström/imagebank.sweden.se.

Because the weather in Sweden in April is unpredictable, April is not the best time to visit Sweden. However, April in Sweden  can be quite pleasant when the sun comes out. And best of all, the days are getting longer. In addition, there won’t be crowds, and hotels might offer discounts.


Stockholm Weather in April

kungsträdgården-park-stockholm-swedem
KungsträdgÃ¥rden is a park in the centre of Stockholm. The park’s cherry trees tend to bloom toward the end of April. Photo Credit: Cecilia Larsson Lantz/Imagebank.sweden.se.

Stockholm is Sweden’s largest city. In addition, it is the nation’s capital. Because it is built on a series of islands, Stockholm is a stunningly beautiful city. For example, it has innumerable lakes, bays, canals, and wetlands.

So how is the weather in Stockholm in April? The average high temperature in April in Stockholm is 8.5 degrees Celsius, or 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the temperature drops to an average low of 6.1 degree Celsius, or 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is an average of 5.6 hours of daily sunshine in Stockholm in April. In fact, it is the fifth sunniest month of the year. Only June, May, July, and August experience more sunshine.

An average of 29.6 millimeters of rain falls in April. There is an average of 11 rainy days. The average humidity is 72%.


 

Gothenburg Weather in April

restaurant-employee-pcing-herbs-from-a-gardem-bed
A restaurant in Gothenburg serves Nordic dishes with Japanese flair using locally sourced ingredients. Photo Credit: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se.

Gothenburg is Sweden’s second largest city. It is located on the country’s west coast. The average high in April is 9.4 Celsius, or 42 Fahrenheit. And the average low is 1.66 degrees Celsius, or 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

So how is the weather in Gothenburg in April? There is an average of 6 hours of sunshine in April in Gothenburg. The city gets an average of 42.6 millimeters of rainfall. There is an average of 11 rainy days. The average humidity is 78%.


Malmo Weather in April

sweden-malmo-edible-country-miriam-preis
Wooden tables in a forest near Malmo offers the perfect venue for an April picnic. Photo Credit: Miriam Preis/imagebank.sweden.se.

Malmo is Sweden’s third largest city. It sits at the southwestern tip of Sweden. Most importantly, it is across the Oresund River from Copenhagen, Denmark. 

The average high temperature in Malmo in April is 9 degrees Celsius, or 42 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the temperature drops to an average low of 2 degrees Celsius, or 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is an average of 6 hours of sunshine in April in Malmo. It is the fifth sunniest month of the year. An average of 39 millimeters of rain falls in April. There is an average of 12 rainy days. The average humility is 74%.


Uppsala Weather in April

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Uppsala Cathedral is one of the largest Cathedral of Northern Europe. Photo Credit: Mark Harris/imagebank.sweden.se.

Uppala is Sweden’s fourth largest city. It is 71 kilometers, or 44 miles, north of Stockholm. 

The average high temperature in Uppsala in April is 4 degrees Celsius, or 39 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the temperature drops to an average low of – 0.1 degree Celsius, or 31 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is an average of 6 hours of sunshine in April in Uppsala. It is the fifth sunniest month of the year. There is an average of 11 rainy days in Uppsala in June. The average humility is 75%.


Umea Weather in April

Umeå-Västerbottenanton-cultural-centre
Väven is a cultural centre in Umeå. Photo Credit: Anton Olin/imagebank.sweden.se

Umea is Sweden’s 13th largest city. Most importantly, it is the gateway to Swedish Lapland.

The average high temperature in Umea in April is 4 degrees Celsius, or 39 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the temperature drops to an average low of – 0.1 degree Celsius, or 31 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is an average of 6 hours of sunshine in April in Umea. It is the fifth sunniest month of the year. There is an average of 11 rainy days in Uppsala in June. The average humidity is 75%.


Swedish Lapland Weather in April

Swedish Lapland is the country’s northernmost region, stretching above the Arctic Circle. It is home to vast wilderness, the Sámi people, reindeer herding traditions, and natural wonders such as the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter.

Kiruna, often called the capital of Swedish Lapland, serves as the main hub for visitors, but the region is defined more by its sweeping landscapes and Arctic climate than by any single city.

So what is the weather like in Lapland in April?

The average high temperature in Lapland in April is 3 °C (37 °F). At night, the temperature drops to an average low of −4 °C (25 °F). There is an average of 5 hours of sunshine in April. It is the transition month from winter to spring. There are about 14 snowy/rainy days in April. The average humidity is around 80%.


What to Pack

The weather in April in Sweden can be summer warm or winter cold, so packing can present a challenge. Therefore, you should play it safe by bringing both windproof and rain apparel as well as t-shirts and sweaters.


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