Christmas in Swedish America 2018

Find a Swedish celebration near you through our comprehensive guide, covering all of Sweden in America. 

  • In Sweden they say "pepparkakor" (gingersnaps) make you kind. ("Av pepparkakor blir man snäll.") It's soon Thanksgiving and any time is a good time to be kind.
  • Christmas season has kicked off and we started listing events in the printed newspaper already three weeks ago. Missing an event or a region? Check events at our free online Nordstjernan Events Calendar and submit any new events you may want to share.

  • A seasonal worker, Santa is going through wish lists.
  • Arizona
    Scottsdale
    12.01, 10 AM - 5 PM
    Swedish Christmas Market, Lucia pageant, jultomte, crafts and gifts, Café Swea and Kid’s activities. SWEA Arizona, www.arizona.swea.org / arizona@swea.org

  • Bedtime reading at Tomteland.
  • California
    Los Altos - Los Altos Lutheran Church
    12.15, 3-5 PM
    3rd Advent church service followed by coffee, refreshments. The Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504

  • The Newspaper for everyone Swedish in America
  • Los Angeles - San Pedro
    12.01, 6-8 PM
    1 Adventmässa. Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Make Life Sweder. A subscription to Nordstjernan is the gift that keeps coming: <a href="http://www.nordstjernan.com/subscribe">SUBSCRIBE to Nordstjernan</a> Treat yourself or order it for someone you care about. (Stay on top of food - collect recipes - follow film, music and Swedish events or traditions that concern us in the United States)
  • Los Angeles - San Pedro
    12.08, 6 PM
    Svenska Kyrkans’s Julbord. Info and RSVP: www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se / 310-292-7079

  • View of Tomteland, Santa's Winterland in Dalarna, Sweden. For more info, see www.tomteland.se
  • Los Angeles - San Pedro
    12.16, 6 PM
    Svenska Kyrkans’s Lucia Celebration with Lucia pageant and Lussefika. www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Looking for a special gift? A gift that will last for a long time? Look at our website under <a href="http://www.nordstjernan.com/subscribe">SUBSCRIBE</a> It will last for as long as you'd like...
  • Los Angeles - San Pedro
    12.25, 7 AM
    Svenska Kyrkans’s Julotta. www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se / 310-292-7079

  • The Christmas moose are sure to be back - one of the most photographed Christmas animals in Stockholm take over the central square Nybroplan.
  • Los Gatos
    12.09, 3-6:30 PM
    Lucia Celebration with Zaida Singers, Swedish shopping with glögg, hot dogs, used children’s books, handmade Christmas decorations, dancing around the Christmas tree and fika. swed_school@yahoo.com / www.swedschool.org

  • The 2018 Lindsborg Lucia Morgan Bowles. Photo: Jim Turner
  • Petaluma
    12.09, 4-7 PM
    St. Lucia Festival. Lucia Pageant, Santa, Swedish food and drinks. Linnea Lodge #504, www.linnealodge.org / linnealodge@gmail.com / 415-990-3882

    San Diego - Balboa Park
    12.07 - 12.08, 5-11 PM
    Annual Christmas Fair. Lucia-procession, Swedish crafts, vendors, baked goods, food and drinks. SWEA San Diego, www.sandiego.swea.org /sandiego@swea.org

  • San Francisco - Berkeley
    11.23 - 11.26
    Open House with Scandinavian Christmas carols at Nordic House, www.nordichouse.com / 800-854-6435

  • San Francisco
    12.01, 9 AM - 4 PM
    Swedish Christmas Fair. Lucia, crafts, gifts, delicacies, Swedish music and activities for kids. SWEA San Francisco, www.sanfrancisco.swea.org / julmarknad@sweasanfrancisco.org

    San Francisco
    12.05, 6 - 9 PM
    Student and au-pair Christmas dinner. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504

  • San Francisco
    12.07, 12 - 3 PM
    Christmas Lunch. Traditional Swedish Christmas lunch buffet and Lucia procession. Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, www.sacc-sf.org / events@sacc-sf.org

  • San Francisco
    12.09, 11AM - 12PM
    2nd Advent church service followed by coffee, refreshments and Christmas raffle drawing. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504

  • San Francisco
    12.09, 3-4 PM
    Traditional Lucia performance. Coffee, refreshments, ginger cookies and saffron bread. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
    San Francisco - Swedish American Hall
    12.09
    Santa Lucia celebration. Lucia procession, lussekatter, glögg and Scandinavian treats. The Young Scandinavians Club, www.ysc.org / ucia@ysc.org

  • San Francisco
    12.15
    Scandinavian Christmas dinner. The Young Scandinavians Club, www.ysc.org / info@ysc.org

  • San Francisco
    12.24, 11 AM
    Swedish church service - “Samling vid krubban.” Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504

  • Santa Cruz - Peace United Church of Christ
    12.01, 4 PM
    Lucia Festival with Zaida singers, dancing around the Christmas tree and kids’ activities. Scandinavian Cultural Center, www.scc-santacruz.org / santacruz@gmail.com

  • Torrance, Los Angeles
    12.02, 10 AM - 5 PM
    Swedish Christmas Fair. Food, crafts, books, jewelry, toys, Lucia pageant, Jultomte and “fika.” SWEA LA, www.losangeles.swea.org / swealachristmasfair@gmail.com

  • Colorado
    Denver - Calvary Baptist Church
    12.01, 10:30 AM - 3 PM
    Swedish Christmas Market. Traditional food & crafts, bake sale, flower arrangements, glögg, Lucia and Santa. SWEA Denver, www.denver.swea.org / denver@swea.org

  • Connecticut
    Hartford - Emanuel Lutheran Church
    12.07, 5 & 8 PM
    Lucia Festival of music and light. Swedish refreshments after each performance. office@emanuelhartford.org / 860-525-0894

    Westport - Christ & Holy Trinity Church
    12.15
    Lucia Celebration. Lucia, glögg and Swedish delicacies. Swedish School of Connecticut, www.svenskaskolanct.com / svenskaskolanconn@gmail.com

  • Delaware
    Wilmington - Old Swedes Church
    12.09
    Santa Lucia Celebration. The Delaware Swedish Colonial Society and Old Swedes Historic Site, www.oldswedes.org / info@oldswedes.org

  • Florida
    Boca Raton
    12.01, 11 AM - 3 PM
    Christmas Bazaar. SWEA South Florida, www.southflorida.swea.org / florida@swea.org

  • Boca Raton
    12.17, 5-9 PM
    Julkonsert and Julbord. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Davie
    12.02, 4 PM
    Adventsgudstjänst. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Davie
    12.24, 11 AM - 12 PM
    Julmässa. Glögg och gingersnaps. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach
    12.14, 6:30 – 11 PM
    Glöggafton hosted by Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach, www.sacc-sfl.org / info@sacc-sfl.org / 305-497-7754

  • Lake Worth
    12.09, 2 - 7 PM
    Swedish Julfest and Glögg party. Great food, desserts and coffee. $10, holiday raffles! Nordic Heritage Club of South Florida, carolrune@aol.com / 561-737-6476

  • Miami - Immanuel Lutheran Church
    12.08, 6 PM
    Lucia Celebration. Svenska kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Sarasota - St. Armand’s Key Lutheran
    12.09, 5:30 - 9 PM
    Lucia Celebration. Lucia pageant, coffee, glögg and baked goods. The Swedish Club of Sarasota, www.swedishclubsarasota.org / info@SwedishClubSarasota.org

  • Georgia
    Atlanta
    11.29, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
    Glögg Mingle with Christmas treats. SACC Georgia, www.sacc-georgia.org / info@sacc-georgia.org

  • Atlanta - Sandy Springs
    12.02 11 AM - 3:30 PM
    Svensk Julmarknad. Baked goods, flowers, handicrafts, Swedish delicacies, Lucia and activities for kids. SWEA Atlanta, www.atlanta.swea.org / sweaatlanta@gmail.com

  • Atlanta - Druid Hills Golf Club
    12.15, 6:30 PM
    Lucia Gala 2018. Swedish Christmas smorgasbord, Lucia, dancing and singing. SACC Georgia. www.sacc-georgia.org / info@sacc-georgia.org

  • Illinois
    Batavia - Bethany Lutheran Church
    12.08, 3-6 PM
    20th Annual Swedish Christmas and St.Lucia with the Swedish American Children’s Choir and Chicago Swedish Glee Club. Swedish Sweet Table included in ticket, RSVP swedesongs4u@aol.com / 630-414-9700

  • Bishop Hill
    11.23-11.25 & 12.01-12.02
    Swedish Christmas Market – Julmarknad. Music, handmade items, antiques, folk art, and other gift items. www.bishophill.com / 309-927-3899

  • Bishop Hill
    12.25, 6 AM
    Julotta. Service in both Swedish and English. www.bishophill.com / 309-927-3845

  • Chicago - North Park University
    12.08, 4 PM
    Sankta Lucia Celebration. Smörgåsbord following the pageant. North Park University Center for Scandinavian Studies, www.northpark.edu.

  • Chicago - Andersonville
    12.01 - 12.02, 10 AM - 5 PM
    Julmarknad. Scandinavian handicrafts and kaffestuga, Santa and children’s crafts, games, Lucia and folk dancers. Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773-728-8111

  • Chicago
    12.07, 11:15 AM - 3 PM
    36th Annual Lucia Luncheon. Info and tickets: Swedish American Chamber of Commerce-Chicago, www.sacc-chicago.org / 312.257.3002

  • Chicago
    12.08 - 12.09, 9 - 11 AM
    Breakfast with Tomten. Swedish pancake breakfast with traditional crafts, dancing around the Christmas tree. RSVP www.swedishamericanmuseum.org /museum@samac.org

  • Chicago
    12.13, 12 PM - Chicago Culture Center
    12.13, 4:45 PM - Swedish American Museum
    12.13, 7 PM - Ebenezer Lutheran Church
    Lucia celebration with procession, holiday songs and readings. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773.728.8111

  • Chicago
    12.16, 5 PM
    Julmiddag. Traditional Christmas smörgåsbord, Lucia procession, dancing ‘round the christmas tree and Santa. Tickets: Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773.728.8111

  • Chicago - Ebenezer Lutheran Church
    12.16, 4PM
    Svensk Julgudstjänst (traditional Swedish Christmas service). www.swedishamericanmuseum.org.

  • Geneva
    12.07, 6-10 PM
    Annual Christmas Walk. Santa Lucia and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage. Geneva Chamber of Commerce, www.genevachamber.com / lrush@genevachamber.com
    Orland Park - Hope Covenant Church
    12.08, 10 AM-Noon
    Swedish Christmas Breakfast. Traditional foods and special Lucia program with musical guests and Christmas carols. $15, RSVP to lucia@OrlandHope.org / www.orlandhope.org / 708-448-3579

  • Rockford - First Lutheran Church
    12.07, 7 PM
    Lucia concert. Swedish songs and candlelit processional. Swedish Historical Society, www.swedishhistorical.org / museum@swedishhistorical.org

  • Rockford
    12.08, 9AM – 2PM
    Swedish Historical Society’s annual Jul Marknad. Swedish foods, vendors, meatball luncheon, Kaffee Stuga and dancing with Lucia and Tomte. www.swedishhistorical.org / 815-963-5559

  • Rock Island
    12.11, 5-6:30 PM
    Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center Julbord Dinner. Traditional Swedish-American Christmas smörgåsbord served in the Wilson Center. RSVP via www.bitly.com/SSIRCjulbord or call 309-794-7204.

  • Iowa
    Elk Horn
    11.23 - 11.24
    Julefest. Danish food, glögg and tasty treats, old fashioned Julemarket, Christmas concert and Father Christmas. Danish Villages, www.danishvillages.com / 800-451-7960

  • Iowa City
    12.09, 5 PM
    Iowa City Swedish Club Lucia Fest - Lucia pageant, Swedish Julbord and glögg. www.iowacityswedishclub.com / Jeannenelson@mchsi.com / 319-354-1762

    Sioux City
    12.08, 12 - 4 PM
    Jul och Lucia with Vasa Norrskenet Lodge #331. Ron Johnson / ron@dalesburg.org / 605-253-2575

  • Kansas
    Lindsborg
    12.02, 4-6 PM
    Jultide Concert, musical ensembles of Bethany College, a choir and folk dancers. www.visitlindsborg.com / travelinfo@lindsborgcity.org / 785-227-8687
    Lindsborg - Bethany Lutheran Church

    12.08, 10 AM - 5 PM
    Lucia Festival. Holiday music and festivities, Lucia processions and traditional folk dances. www.visitlindsborg.com / travelinfo@lindsborgcity.org

  • Maryland
    Sveaborg
    12.15
    Sveaborg Society’s Lucia Celebration wwwsveaborgsociety.com / info@sveaborgsociety.org

  • Massachusetts
    Boston
    12.08, 10AM - 4PM
    Swedish Yuletide. Food, crafts, gifts, Swedish café, musical entertainment, Lucia and kids’ activities. SWEA-Boston, www.sweaboston.org / swedishyuletide@sweaboston.org

  • Rockport
    12.08, 9AM –1 PM
    Julfest. Lucia Festival, holiday music, baked goods, gifts for sale and lunch. Spiral Lodge.

  • Michigan
    Grand Rapids - St Mark’s Episcopal Church
    12.01, 10 - 11:30 AM
    Lucia Celebration - Music and candlelight, saffron buns, cardamom bread, pepparkakor and crafts. SAHS/WM, www.sahswm.org / info@sahswm.org

  • Novi
    12.08, 3 PM
    Christmas Concert with Lucia. Arpi Swedish Male and Scandia Women’s Chorus of MI. www.swedishclub.net

  • Minnesota
    Minneapolis
    11.27 and 12.18, 6-7:30PM
    Jul 101. How do Swedes celebrate Christmas? Make a craft and learn a Swedish Christmas song. www.asimn.org / 612-871-4907

  • Minneapolis
    11.29, 6-9 PM
    Scandinavian Christmas Julfest - Experience Scandinavian holiday traditions. www.saccmn.org /info@saccmn.org

  • Minneapolis
    12.01, 10AM - 5PM
    12.02, 11AM - 5PM
    Christmas Market at American Swedish Institute. Outdoor Handcraft Fair with wares by local artisans, musical performances and activities. www.asimn.org / 612-871-4907

  • Moorhead - Bethesda Lutheran Church
    12.16, 5– 8 PM
    Sankta Lucia celebration. Music and Lucia with potluck holiday treats after program. Swedish Cultural Heritage Society of the Red River Valley: valleyinc@msn.com / 701-293-3417

  • Scandia
    12.1 & 12.08
    Annie’s Swedish Jul Coffee Party. With history and Swedish Jul program. Gammelgården Museum, www.gammelgardenmuseum.org / 651-433-5054

  • Scandia
    12.09, 6 AM & 8:30 AM
    Lucia Celebration. Swedish prayer service and Lucia Fest Breakfast. Gammelgården Museum, www.gammelgardenmuseum.org / museum@gammelgardenmuseum.org

  • New Jersey
    Budd Lake - Vasa Park
    11.24, 5 PM
    Juldans - Dancing around the Christmas tree with traditional music. Scandinavian specialties, glögg, Sankta Lucia pageant and Santa. www.juldans.org / 973-691-8637

  • New York
    Jamestown
    12.01
    Julmarknad/Culture day. Music, door prizes and vendors. www.scandinavianjamestown.org / 716-665-0883

  • New York City
    12.07, 6 PM
    Christmas Ball at The Metropolitan Club. Dinner, Lucia, silent auction. The American Scandinavian Society, www.americanscandinavian.org / info@americanscandinavian.org

  • New York City - Scandinavia House
    12.09, 5 PM
    Holiday Concert & Lucia. Scandinavian and American holiday favorites as well as a traditional St. Lucia procession. www.scandinaviahouse.org / info@amscan.org

  • New York City
    12.14, 5:30-7 PM
    Gudrun Sjöden hosts a Lucia choir from the Swedish Church in New York to sing at Fjällräven at 5:30 p.m. then walk in procession to Gudrun Sjöden, 50 Greene Street, for more beautiful songs. Glögg and other holiday treats served. www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-us / 212-219-2510

  • New York City - Church of the Incarnation
    12.15, 4-8 PM
    Lucia Celebration. Lucia procession and choirs. Tickets: Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@svenskakyrkan.se

  • New York City - Church of Sweden
    12.24, 11 PM
    Christmas service: Celebrate Christ’s birth with hymns. Glögg and gingersnaps afterward. Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@svenskakyrkan.se

  • Pearl River - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
    12.02, 2-5 PM
    Annual St. Lucia Program and Christmas Party at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Pearl River, NY. ingridallison@optonline.net / 845-425-1574

  • West Hempstead - St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
    12.02, 3:30 PM
    98th Lucia Festival - Lucia pageant with Barnklubben Elsa Rix#1, folk dancing, coffee, dessert, glögg and gifts. Elainedance@aol.com / 516-565-2091

  • North Carolina
    Raleigh
    12.01, 10 AM - 5 PM
    Christmas Fair. Scandinavian food, glögg, folk dancing, folk music, crafts and and gifts, Lucia Procession. SWEA & Vasa, www.scanfair.org / info@scanfair.org

  • North Dakota
    Bismarck - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
    12.09, 2-4 PM
    Santa Lucia with food, dancing, baked treats and goodies. Three Crowns Swedish American Association of Bismarck-Mandan, 3crownsswedish@gmail.com / 701-400-1095

  • Ohio
    Cincinnati
    12.09
    Lucia Fest. Lucia dinner party. Info and tickets: Scandinavian Society of Cincinnati, www.scandinaviansoc.org

    Oregon
    Portland - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
    12.01 -12.02, 10 AM - 4 PM
    ScanFair. Nordic arts and crafts ,food, Lucia, entertainment and kids’ crafts. Nordic Northwest, www.nordicnorthwest.org / 503-977-0275

  • Portland - First Presbyterian Church
    12.08, 3-5 PM
    Lucia Fest. Lucia pageant, Tomte, ring dances, baked treats, coffee and glögg. New Sweden Cultural Heritage Society, www.newsweden.org / kristigus@aol.com

  • Portland - Bethany Presbyterian Church
    12.08, 6-8:30 PM
    Nordic Christmas Celebration. Scandinavian food and music. Portland Scandinavian Chorus, www.portlandscandinavianchorus.com/concerts / info@portlandscandinavianchorus.com

  • Portland - First Immanuel Luth. Church
    12.25, 7-8 AM
    Julotta, a service in English and Swedish. Portland Scandinavian Chorus, www.portlandscandinavianchorus.com/concerts / info@portlandscandinavianchorus.com

  • Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia
    11.30, 6 PM
    Julbord. Cocktails, smörgåsbord, Lucia and Christmas Market. American Swedish Historical Museum, www.americanswedish.org / info@americanswedish.org

  • Philadelphia
    12.01, 11AM – 4 PM
    Lucia Fest and Christmas Market with holiday deli items, decorations, and gifts, SWEA bakery and Swedish Christmas Café. American Swedish Historical Museum, www.americanswedish.org / info@ americanswedish.org

  • Philadelphia
    12.07, 6-8 PM
    12.08, 2-5 PM
    12.09, 2-5 PM
    Sankta Lucia and St. Eric’s Fair. Celebrating 81st Lucia Fest! Christmas bazaar with Scandinavian imports. www.old-swedes.com / info@old-swedes.org / 215-389-1513

  • South Dakota
    Dalesburg
    12.09 , 3-5 PM
    41st annual St Lucia. Dalesburg Scandinavian Association, www.dalesburg.org / ron@dalesburg.org

  • Texas
    Austin
    12.09
    Annual Lucia and julbazar. Bake sale and Lucia procession. SWEA Austin, www.austin.swea.org / austin@swea.org
    Dallas
    12.01 , 10 AM - 4 PM
    JulBasar and Lucia celebration. SWEA Dallas, www.dallas.swea.org / dallas@swea.org

  • Houston
    12.09
    Lucia celebration with procession, jultallrik, fiskdamm and dancing around the christmas tree. SWEA Houston, www.houston.swea.org / sweahouston@hotmail.com

  • Virginia
    Virginia Beach - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
    12.01, 9 AM - 3 PM
    Swedish Christmas Bazaar. SWEA Virginia Beach, www.virginiabeach.swea.org / virginiabeach@swea.org

  • Washington
    Seattle
    12.02, 1 PM
    Children’s Christmas in Scandinavia. Santa Lucia, music, dancing and crafts. www.nordicmuseum.org / nordic@nordicmuseum.org

  • Seattle
    12.12, 6:30-8:30 PM
    Glögg and meatballs. Traditional Swedish julbord and Lucia procession. SACC-Seattle, www.sacc-seattle.org / info@sacc-seattle.org

  • Tacoma
    12.11, 6:30PM
    Sankta Lucia. Festival of Light, reception to follow. Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University, www.plu.edu/scancenter / scancntr@plu.edu

  • Washington, DC
    12.01, 11 AM - 6 PM
    Swedish Holiday Market. Scandinavian crafts, cafe and Lucia procession at 5 p.m. SWEA Washington DC at House of Sweden. www.washingtondc.swea.org / sweapr@gmail.com

  • Wisconsin
    Dodgeville - Folklore Village
    12.08, 3 PM
    St. Lucia with Swedish songs, candlelight and saffron buns. Potluck and dancing. www.folklorevillage.org / programs@folklorevillage.org

  • Hales Corners - Whitnall Park Lutheran Church
    12.09, 5-7 PM
    Lucia Celebration. Dance around the Christmas tree, Santa, coffee and treats. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, www.sahswi.org / swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com

    Hales Corners - Whitnall Park Lutheran Church
    12.25, 7-9 AM
    Julotta. Hymns and liturgy in Swedish and English. Coffee and treats. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, www.sahswi.org / swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com

  • Sister Bay
    12.07 & 12.08
    Traditional Swedish Christmas Smörgåsbord. A multi-course Christmas smörgåsbord. Reservations required. Al Johnson’s www.aljohnsons.com / 920-854-2626.

  • USA - nationwide at participating stores
    IKEA
    12.07
    Swedish Christmas Julbord Celebration at all IKEA Restaurants (except Carson CA) with an all-you-can-eat buffet! Contact your local IKEA store.

  • No celebration listed close to you? For continuous info from all the U.S., see events at www.nordstjernan.com. Also, find your local SWEA chapter by going to www.swea.org - almost every SWEA organization will have Lucia and/or Christmas fairs.