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We celebrate more than just Sweden’s National Day at Royal Djurgården!

Ever since 1893, we have celebrated Sweden’s National Day at Skansen at Royal Djurgården in the presence of the Swedish royal family, with music, ceremonial speeches and plenty of flags. As a result of the pandemic, we had to break this 127-year-old tradition in 2020. But we have been able to adapt such that we can still celebrate in new and creative ways.

Here at Royal Djurgården, everyone is welcome. And we celebrate not only the Swedish National Day, but all National Days. Read more below about how we celebrate some other National Days here at Royal Djurgården!

Sami National Day – 6th February

The Sami people are one of the world’s indigenous peoples and the only ones in Europe. The date for the national day comes from the fact that the first Sami national meeting was held in Trondheim on 6th February 1917. In Sweden, the day has been a flag day for a few years now.

Skansen have hosted celebrations for the Sami National Day since 2003. As part of the celebrations, you can visit the Såekie family’s holiday home in Saemien Sïjte. Or why not listen to Sami fairytales and myths while huddled around the fire? You can also try your hand at lasso throwing and learn more about reindeer. In the forest house, there are usually craft activities and film screenings about the Sami people’s relationship with modern-day Sweden.

Ahead of the Sami National Day, you can discover and learn more about Sami culture and history via Nordiska museet‘s digital museum! Did you know that the museum’s new entrance, Two Directions, is inspired by objects from the museum’s Sami collections?

Chaharshanbe Suri – 20th March

This Persian festival is a popular non-religious holiday. Many countries celebrate the holiday and have done for almost 4,000 years. Just like the Swedish traditional Walpurgis Night celebration, they greet the change of nature with bonfires. It is a chance to celebrate winter ending and spring starting, meaning the sun and light are returning.

Stockholm’s celebrations take place with an annual folk festival, which is a celebration of diversity and integration. Skansen hosted the event at Royal Djurgården for the first time in 2019. It took place on the Solliden stage and featured a star-studded line-up. Additionally, it was broadcast on TV across different parts of the world.

Norway’s National Day – 17th May

Norway’s National Day – Syttende mai – is celebrated in style, not only in Norway but also at Royal Djurgården. We celebrate the National Day on the Solliden stage at Skansen. The celebrations feature Norwegian folk costumes, Norwegian flags and activities for children and adults. There is also the opportunity to visit Vastveitloftet, Skansen’s only Norwegian building. It was moved here before 1905, when the union between Sweden and Norway ended. You can’t go inside but the outside is well worth a visit!

Sweden’s National Day – 6th June

Skansen hosted the first-ever celebrations for Sweden’s National Day in 1893. Skansen’s founder, Artur Hazelius, wanted to establish a holiday that would unite the nation, and he chose 6th June. It was on 6th June 1523 that Gustav Vasa was proclaimed King and on 6th June 1809 that the Swedish Constitution was signed.

Ever since 1893, Skansen has hosted the National Day celebrations. In the early years, the day began as a general spring party and ended with a ceremony in the evening. The day eventually became Swedish Flag Day. Then, in 1983, Flag Day became Sweden’s National Day. In 2005, 6th June became an official public holiday.

Skansen’s various National Day celebrations promote social inclusion (10.2)