National Day of Sweden 2021

The tradition of celebrating a National Day in Sweden was born at Skansen. Artur Hazelius, the founder of Skansen, wanted to establish an annual day that would be a patriotic focus for the nation and he chose the sixth of June. This was the day on which, in 1523, Gustav Vasa had been proclaimed king and it was also the day on which the current constitution had been agreed in 1809. Sweden’s National Day has been celebrated at Skansen every year since 1893.

For many years the celebration was known as National Flag Day but the day has now been marked by a public holiday. Usually this is celebrated traditionally together with members of the royal family at Skansen with speeches, flag ceremony, singing, brass bands, folk music, etc.

But this year’s national day celebrations at Skansen will be on a smaller scale than we are used to. Swedish flags will be handed out to all children, the Swedish parliaments exhibition on democracy will be displayed in the upper escalator hall and everyone will have the opportunity to create their own kings and queens.

Find out more information about the national day celebrations at Skansen here.