Easter in Scandinavia

Image by @ssummerhouses

Easter in Sweden is all about family, tradition, and the long-awaited return to the countryside. As spring begins to take hold, many families use the holiday as an opportunity to visit their summerhouses, opening them up after the long winter and preparing for the warmer months ahead.

Easter in Sweden isn’t just about chocolate eggs—it’s a time to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy good food, and celebrate the changing seasons. A traditional Swedish Easter meal features a spread of herring, salmon, root vegetables, and roasted meats, often accompanied by spiced schnapps. These gatherings around the dinner table are filled with laughter, toasts, and the familiar warmth of family traditions.

For the little ones, Easter means the joy of receiving large, decorative paper eggs filled with chocolates and sweets. Unlike the UK’s chocolate egg hunt, Swedish children are often gifted a single, beautifully designed egg, packed with their favourite treats.

Beyond the food and festivities, Easter marks the beginning of the transition to the brighter half of the year. Cleaning out the summerhouse, airing out blankets, and preparing outdoor spaces is a ritual in itself—a way to welcome spring and embrace the new season ahead.

Whether it’s gathering for a traditional feast, sipping schnapps, or watching children delight in their paper eggs, Swedish Easter is a time of togetherness, celebration, and the simple joys of family life.