May Day
Nationwide public holiday in Sweden · Första maj
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 May | Friday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 1 May | Saturday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in Sweden.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Typical weather in Stockholm around 1 May: high 11°C (52°F), low 2°C (36°F), rain on 21% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Stockholm. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Saturday 1 May in Stockholm: (MET Norway)
About May Day
May Day on 1 May is a public holiday in Sweden and has long been associated with the labour movement, political parties and trade unions. It follows Walpurgis Night on 30 April, the traditional Swedish welcome to spring, so the two days together form a festive start to the season.
Traditions
Political parties and trade unions organise marches, rallies and speeches in towns across the country. The evening before, many communities light large bonfires for Walpurgis Night and choirs sing traditional songs about spring, and the celebrations are especially lively in university towns such as Uppsala and Lund.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Sweden
Thursday, 6 May 2027
May Day in other countries
More for Sweden
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.