True North Kitchen

  • Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes
  • Nordic & Scandinavian Recipes Index
  • About Me
  • Contact/Work with Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring
  • Recipe Index
  • Nordic Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring
    • Recipe Index
    • Nordic Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Nordic Life

    Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton)

    Published: Apr 30, 2019 · Modified: Jul 18, 2020 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    A bonfire and the night sky
    Bonfires are the traditional way to celebrate Walpurgis night in Scandinavia

    Walpurgis Night (April 30), is celebrated all over Scandinavia but especially in Sweden and Finland. The holiday is named after Saint Walpurga, a Christian saint known for her healing powers and her ability to repel witchcraft. Great bonfires were traditionally lit in her honor in an effort to ward off witches and evil spirits.

    In modern day Sweden, Walpurgis Night is a time to gather around a bonfire to celebrate the arrival of spring with drinking, dancing and singing folk songs. Fortunately for those who overindulge, May 1 is a national holiday (their Labor Day). The celebrating continues into this next day with parades, picnics and other festivities.

    In the Swedish university towns of Uppsala and Lund, Walpurgis Night conveniently falls at a time when the students are just about to hunker down and study for final exams. Needless to say, they take this opportunity to let loose even more seriously than the rest of Sweden. The morning begins with a breakfast of champagne and strawberries. The day continues with a huge street party and more champagne, some for drinking, some for shaking up and spraying in celebration.

    Thinking of hosting your own celebration of Walpurgis Night this evening? If you have a fire pit in your backyard or live somewhere that permits bonfires you can really celebrate Nordic-style. But for most of us here in the US I'm guessing that's not an option. Maybe just a stroll around the neighborhood to admire all of the beautiful trees in bloom and then an outdoor toast with a glass of champagne to celebrate the return of warmer weather. Happy spring!

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Life

    • Brown Sugar Skyr Tart on a plate next to a cup of coffee.
      The Ultimate Guide to Swedish Fika (with Recipes)
    • Beets on a white wooden surface.
      A New Nordic Kitchen
    • Advent candles
      Celebrating Advent
    • Food on a table with evergreen branches and Swedish glögg
      How to Host a Glögg Party

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Kristi! Welcome to my cozy Nordic kitchen!

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Featured image for Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread.
      Soft and Tender Buttermilk Bread
    • Close up of Soft Rye Dinner Rolls.
      Soft Rye Dinner Rolls
    • Kavring bread sliced on a wooden cutting board.
      Kavring (The Easiest Swedish Rye Bread)
    • Swedish semla bun closeup.
      Easy Swedish Semla (Traditional Lenten Buns)
    • Close up of cardamom bun.
      Traditional Swedish Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)
    • Close up of Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd) on a plate.
      Easy Swedish Crispbread (Knäckebröd)

    Holiday Posts

    • Slices of Swedish Limpa Bread
      Swedish Limpa Bread
    • A close up of a stack of Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor).
      Swedish Ginger Cookies (Pepparkakor)
    • Vegetarian meatballs and cream sauce in a pan
      Really Good Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
    • Close up of a pile of krumkaker.
      Krumkake (Traditional Norwegian Waffle Cookies)
    • Close up of 3 Swedish pancakes on a plate topped with lingonberries.
      Traditional Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor) with Lingonberries
    • Featured image for Swedish Meatballs with Gravy.
      Easy Swedish Meatballs with Gravy (Köttbullar)

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About
    Work with Me
    Contact
    Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    Accessibility Statement

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 True North Kitchen