St. Lucia Day: Celebrating Light and Tradition

Saint Lucy's Day celebration in the church of Borgholm, Sweden 2012

Sweden celebrates St. Lucia Day on December 13th, a widely observed holiday and a meaningful festival of light. The word “holiday” means “holy day” and signifies setting apart and making special. St. Lucia Day is a special day set apart during Advent to honor the patron saint of light.
St Lucia Day in Sweden, which recalls peasant life in darkness and light, cold and warmth, is one of the most important cultural traditions that brings hope and illumination during the darkest time of the year.

Our team here at Remitly has created this guide with some of the most well-known St. Lucia Day traditions to bring a little bit of this Swedish holiday to you wherever you are.

The Legend of St. Lucia

Saint Lucy’s Day (also known as Lucia Day) has been celebrated since at least the 4th century. St. Lucia of Syracuse was a martyr for the Christian faith who died at the hands of the Romans in 304 CE. There are two possible meanings for the name: “light” (lux) or “Satan” (Lucifer).

St. Lucia wears a candle-lit wreath on her head and has always been the one to carry the torch through the long, dark Swedish winters. She has become a beloved figure in Scandinavian culture because her procession, together with the season of Advent, heralds the arrival of the Christmas season.

Her representation as the bearer of light brings excitement and hope during the darkest season.

When does St. Lucia Day start and end?

St. Lucia Day Sweden has an official date of December 13th, historically the calendar’s shortest day. According to Swedish folklore, the long night was dangerous, with dark spirits out in force.

The Norse used to celebrate the winter solstice by lighting massive bonfires to ward off evil spirits and change the path of the sun. Sometime around the year 1000, the Norse converted to Christianity and integrated the story of St. Lucia into their festivities. These days, Christian and pagan customs combine in the modern celebration of light.

St. Lucia Day starts and ends on December 13, but only after festivities involving processions, traditional foods, and songs occur. Like the winter solstice, this day also marks the beginning of the Christmas season. It is known as the return of the light, signifying the sun’s ascent back towards its peak and the lengthening of the daylight hours.

Preparations and festive decorations

Given that the important traditions of St. Lucia Day are centered around St. Lucia herself, it’s customary that the role of Lucia is carefully selected.

Who gets to be Lucia? There used to be a competition on national TV and in towns and schools nationwide. Local papers urged subscribers to vote for one or another candidate.

No national ‘Lucia of Sweden’ is elected today as it was regarded as too much like a beauty pageant, so schools often draw names. St. Lucia leads the processions, and behind her, young girls follow a procession headed by the designated St. Lucia.

The girls wear all white with lighted wreaths, and the boys are dressed in white pajamas, singing traditional melodies. When the lights are dimmed, and children sing as they enter from another room, it truly creates an extraordinary ambiance.

It’s customary to make or buy an evergreen wreath or crown with seven candles and to place candles in the windows of every house, place of business, and educational institution to represent St. Lucia’s role as the “Bringer of Light.”

The St. Lucia procession

One of the main events of St. Lucia Day celebrations is the processions. Candles are lit in the early morning and placed in the windows of public places such as residences and schools. There are broadcasts of the musical “Luciatåg” procession, led by Lucia herself, in offices, churches, and schools.

Now led by an appointed child representative of St. Lucia, the first indication that Lucia and her entourage are getting close to the audience is a gentle chorus from the distance and delicate light peeping through the predawn darkness.

Lucia wears a wreath of electric candles to fulfill the tradition of wearing “light in her hair.” Each handmaiden lights a candle. Star lads, like handmaidens, wear white dresses and carry stars on sticks and tall paper cones. Little lantern-carrying Christmas elves follow.

The St. Lucia Day melodies uplift everyone—a magical moment. On Lucia Day morning, the radio plays more advanced recordings by school choirs, and most Swedish people sing the Lucia song called “Santa Lucia.”

Lucia buns, made with saffron

The traditional foods of St. Lucia Day

In addition to being the day of light and hope, St. Lucia Day food is another key element since St. Lucia has been immortalized carrying a tray of treats to people who need homes.

Families observe the day in their homes by having the eldest daughter serve traditional food for St Lucia Day, such as coffee, Swedish mulled wine (glögg), and baked goods to the other members.

The most common is saffron bread (lussekatter) shaped like curled-up cats with raisin eyes and ginger biscuits. These traditional foods are also given to visitors during the day.

Modern St. Lucia Day celebrations

Despite its long history, modern Lucia constantly adapts.

St. Lucia Day events in Scandinavian communities around the world mostly have a common theme of kindness. The tradition of local children visiting elderly homes, hospitals, and social service institutions as random acts of kindness is a common practice. They frequently console and delight in the darkness with festive melodies and sweets.

St. Lucia Day beyond Scandinavia

The tradition has now extended beyond its borders. In Italy, for instance, there is a distinct Lucia Day celebration. Also, the Swedish Church in London hosts events that are so popular that people need to make reservations months in advance.

Additionally, there are Lucia events in China, Latvia, Germany, and Russia. Sometimes, non-Swedish people learn the songs in Swedish as a token of appreciation for the holiday, and other times, Swedish people themselves perform.

The universal message of St. Lucia Day

Thinking about a celebration centered around hope, kindness, and bringing light to the darkness encompasses a message of acceptance. That could be why other people have adapted this important and unique event to their own locales and cultures.

After seeing it for yourself, you’ll probably fall in love with it too—it’s a party unlike any other.

From Team Remitly to all our customers with loved ones in Sweden, Happy St. Lucia Day! We hope you have a wonderful celebration!