Public holidays in Scandinavia: 2026 calendar

The Scandinavian countries keep showing among the top 10 of the World Happiness Report, and their high quality of life, modern culture, and amazing nature attract many foreigners, both expats and travellers. Whether you want to escape the Nordic climate or, on the contrary, see the ancient magic of Scandinavia for yourself, the following summary of the Scandinavian holidays in 2026 should help you to find the best time.

Common major holidays in Scandinavia

The countries we’re looking at all have different numbers and kinds of celebrations, but some Scandinavian holidays are largely the same. For example, during Easter in Scandinavia, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. In Norway and Denmark, however, Maundy Thursday is also on the list of the Nordic celebration dates. Similarly, Christmas in Scandinavia is celebrated for three days, from December 24th to December 26th, with one exception: Christmas Eve is not among the public holidays in Sweden.

In turn, January 1st is a holiday across Scandinavia, but December 31st is not. For example, in Denmark, it is a bank holiday, but businesses are left to decide on their schedule independently.

If during any of these Scandinavian holidays you, as an expat, find yourself away from your family, you can still share the festive spirit with them and show your love and support. Give them a call and send them a money gift with Profee, at competitive rates and from the comfort of your home.

Denmark’s public holidays

Among all Nordic countries, Denmark’s national holidays are only 10, the lowest number. However, there is some luck for those celebrating Denmark holidays in 2026: many of them are long weekends!

Highlight: May Day

While not recognised officially, May 1st is considered “Denmark’s most passionately celebrated non-holiday”. For those employed in the state sector and belonging to trade unions, ideologically, May Day is among Denmark’s national holidays. People gather in parks to celebrate it with speeches, concerts, and picnics. Be sure to add it to your list of Denmark's events in 2026 if you're in the area (and yes, it's a Friday!)

Explore: Living in Copenhagen as an expat – cost, life, housing.

Public holidays in Finland

The list of national holidays in Finland mixes the typical Christian celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas, with legacy pagan Midsummer, as well as perfectly secular May Day and Independence Day.

Highlight: Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day

Only Midsummer Day is a public holiday in Finland. Still, Midsummer Eve is the unofficial start of the summer season on the Nordic calendar and one of the most anticipated Finnish public holidays.

It's no wonder that Midsummer Eve is among Finland's most beloved national holidays. Many businesses and banks are closed, and Finns head out to the countryside to spend time with friends and family.

Public holidays in Iceland

Although not technically a Scandinavian country, Iceland is often bundled together with the other four as a Nordic state. And when it comes to the work calendar, this Nordic country loves its days off: there are 16 public holidays in Iceland in 2026! Compared to only 10 Danish public holidays or 12 Swedish or Norwegian national holidays, isn't Iceland the closest to the ideal work-life balance?

Highlight: Commerce Day

Celebrated on the first Monday of August since 1931, Commerce Day was initially intended only for merchants but proved popular among other workers, too. Ironically, it used to be one of Denmark’s public holidays, but it no longer exists there. Commerce Day concludes the so-called Commerce Weekend, full of music, festivals, and celebrations – definitely one of the must-visit summer holidays in Scandinavia.

Public holidays in Norway

Norway’s national holidays are typical of most Western countries (and there are no special regional holidays in Norway). Despite being a secular state, most public holidays in Norway relate to Christianity, such as Easter, Christmas, Whitsun (Pentecost), and so on. Disappointingly, neither Christmas Eve nor New Year’s Eve are Norway’s national holidays.

Highlight: Constitution Day

One of the few non-religious celebrations, and also one of the largest, is Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814 and the country's independence from Sweden.

However, despite its political origins, the focus of this Scandinavian holiday has shifted today to youth and culture. There are massive children's parades that one attends wearing traditional Norwegian clothes, known as a bunad.

Tips: How to find a dream job as an expat in Norway.

Public holidays in Sweden

On top of the typical collection of Scandinavian holidays, Sweden is the only country other than Finland that celebrates Epiphany. It is also the only one that remembers their loved ones on All Saints’ Day.

Highlight: All Saints' Day

This Scandinavian holiday is not your merry version of the American Halloween but a sombre day of remembrance. It has been observed as a public holiday in Sweden since 1953, on the Saturday between October 31st and November 6th.

On All Saints' Day, Swedes typically visit cemeteries to light a candle for their loved ones who have passed away or meet for a family dinner. It is also considered the beginning of winter and skiing season in Sweden.

Read more: Top 5 cities in Sweden for expats.

Nordic long weekends 2026

Have a look at the table below to see in which of the Scandinavian countries holidays add up to a long weekend. Whether you want to spend your summer holidays in the Nordic region or just wait for an opportunity to be out of the office, holidays in Scandinavia are great either way!

If you’re an expat living in a Nordic country, the holiday season is also a perfect opportunity to reach out to your loved ones back home. Even if you can’t spend holidays together, you can still show your family love and support.

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FAQ: Holidays in Scandinavia

What are the Nordic public holidays in 2026?

New Year, Easter, Christmas, and Ascension are the common holidays in Scandinavia. The duration of celebrations, however, differs from country to country. The national days celebrating independence, the Constitution, and such, are, too, public holidays in all Nordic countries.

What's the Swedish holiday on 30 April?

It is Walpurgis Night (Valborg in Swedish). While not one of the public holidays in Sweden, it is a popular celebration of the arrival of spring. There are community gatherings, bonfires, games, and music, in line with a broader Scandinavian holiday tradition.

When is the National Day of Sweden?

The National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag in Swedish) is celebrated on June 6th. Unfortunately, next year it falls on a Sunday, so don’t count on it as one of the Swedish vacation dates.

Are there many bank holidays in Scandinavia in 2026?

Each country has a different number of bank holidays: 10 in Denmark, 12 in Norway and Sweden, 13 in Finland, and 16 in Iceland.

How many bank holidays are there in Norway?

In 2026, there are 12 dates on Norway’s public holiday list when banks are closed. Three of those (Easter, Constitution Day, and Pentecost) fall on Sundays.