Celebrate Sankta Lucia Skansen

Sankta Lucia is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favourite Swedish festivals to celebrate. The moment the choir begins the Sankta Lucia song, I get instant goosebumps. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some truly special Lucia festivities in recent years. My very first Lucia concert was held at the Bosebo church in Kulturen, Lund—it was simply magical! Yet, I’ll never forget the unexpected and wonderfully authentic morning concert I experienced at a hotel.

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If you’re looking for a fantastic place to celebrate Sankta Lucia in Sweden, you must visit Skansen in Stockholm. This historic open-air museum has been marking St. Lucia’s Day since 1892, making it a truly traditional venue.

Why Skansen is the Best Place to Celebrate St. Lucia

Skansen offers a genuine experience for all of Sweden’s high holidays, and Sankta Lucia is certainly no exception. The celebrations at Skansen often span several days: they are held on the official date of 13th December, but also typically on the weekend immediately before or after (depending on which day the 13th falls). For 2021, the festivities took place on 11th, 12th, and 13th December.

The lovely thing about celebrating St. Lucia at Skansen during a weekend is that you can easily combine it with a visit to the popular Skansen Christmas Market. I have very fond memories of past events here and look forward to returning year after year.

Read more about Sankta Lucia here!

Essential St. Lucia Concerts at Skansen

Skansen hosts several Lucia concerts. The performances inside Seglora Kyrka (Seglora Church) and Ordenshuset Brofästet are for a limited audience, so I’d recommend getting in the queue early to guarantee your seat. (I still hope to attend the concert in Ordenshuset Brofästet myself this year!)

The main Sankta Lucia concert at Skansen takes place on the large outdoor stage at Solliden (the same location where the Allsång på Skansen sing-along show is recorded).

St. Lucia in Seglora Kyrka: A Truly Unique Setting

The concert in the Seglora Church is my favourite. This stunning, old wooden church was built in 1729 in Västergötland and was moved to Skansen in 1918. During the concert, be sure to look up and admire the incredible ceiling paintings by the Swedish artist Sven Wernberg (painted between 1734 and 1735).

The doors open just 20 minutes before the start of the performance. The audience takes their seats, and a sudden, expectant silence falls over the crowd. Then come the goosebumps as the choir walks in, led by Lucia herself. The concert lasts a compact half hour, and the atmosphere inside the church is nothing short of magical!

Sankta Lucia on Solliden, Skansen

When the Sankta Lucia celebration takes place at the Solliden stage in Skansen, a helpful tip is to stand slightly to the side of the stage. On one occasion, it was a chilly, grey day, and the rain was starting to soak through my coat. I’d warmed up beforehand with some fika (a Swedish coffee and cake break) and made sure I was back at the podium in good time.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of a carriage arriving! The choir and Lucia were delivered right to the stage in a carriage pulled by horses from the Royal Stables. It’s a wonderful sight!

The voices of the choir immediately warm up the audience. It’s a beautiful way to see them celebrate the light—a real boost during the dark days of winter. Believe it or not, only ten days after St. Lucia’s Day, the days finally start getting longer again! The concert lasts about 40 minutes and provides a lovely, festive conclusion to a St. Lucia day out at Skansen.

Other Ways to Experience Lucia at Skansen

Aside from the two main concerts, a Lucia choir often sings elsewhere in the park.

If you’re interested in discovering how Sankta Lucia was celebrated a century ago, you can visit Ordenshuset Brofästet in Skansen. As with the other church, the doors here also open 20 minutes before the start of the concert.

For the exact times of the concerts and celebrations, always check the official Skansen website.

Buy your tickets here

Book your tickets for Sankta Lucia Skansen in advance and skip the lines. Check the availability and book immediately. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance. And you’re guaranteed the best price (no hidden costs!).