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!
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Top Events in Sweden in April
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. A short list of Sweden’s top events in April follows.
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!
The Nordic Gardens – 30 March to 2 April 2023
Nordiska Trädgårdar (The Nordic Gardens) is the meeting place for garden enthusiasts. Activities will include lectures, inspirational displays, exhibitions, greenhouses, ground coverings, ponds, pools, barbecues, books, magazines,
Maundy Thursday – 6 April 2023
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.
Good Friday – 7 April 2023
Known as Långfredagen in Swedish, Good Friday is a public holiday in Sweden. Schools and most businesses are closed.
Holy Saturday – 8 April 2023
Known as Påskafton in Swedish, Holy Saturday is not an official holiday in Sweden since schools and most businesses are usually closed on Saturday anyway.
Easter Sunday – 9 April 2023
Known as Påskdagen 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!
Easter Monday 10 April 2023
Annandag Påsk in Swedish, Easter Monday is an official holiday in Sweden. Schools and most businesses are closed.
International Science Festival – 17 to 28 April 2023
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, and 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.
Stockholm Culture Night – 22 April 2023
More than 100 cultural events take across across the Swedish capital 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.
Passion for Food Festival – 2023 Dates to Be Announced
Preparing raw food. Photo Credit: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se
Food enthusiasts gather to try new food and beverage products from handpicked producers.
Famous chefs will offer advice on ingredients and share cooking tips at the festival’s Cooking School.
There will also be food tastings, wine tastings, talks, and microseminars. A highlight will be a cook-off between four of Sweden’s top chefs.
Walpurgis Night – 30 April – 1 May 2023
Walpurgis Night in Sweden takes place the evening before the feast of Saint Walpurgis, an eighth century Christian saint.
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
Because the weather in Sweden in April s unpredictable, April is not the best time to visit Sweden. However, it 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
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 Stockholm in April 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
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 Gothenburg in April. 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
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 Malmo in April. 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
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 Uppsala in April. 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
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 Umea in April. 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%.
What to Pack
The weather in Sweden in April 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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