Valborg: Sweden’s bonfire night

Spring is finally here and no one knows how to appreciate the improving weather better than the Swedes! Don’t miss the yearly bonfire gatherings this Tuesday for Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis night)!

Every year on the 30th of April Sweden is set ablaze in revelry of the emerging spring. The celebration known as Valborg causes communities throughout Sweden to unite in spirit  and gather around massive bonfires, singing songs to welcome spring to these northern shores.  It’s a celebration for people of all ages and the best part is –  it’s free. Just show up and get ready to interact more with Swedes than you have through the entire winter.

In many places, especially university towns, Valborg celebrations are known to start off in the afternoon or even morning with picnics in the park or country side, generally with champagne and beer in abundance. But it is as the sun goes down that Swedes really get into the spirit of the day and gather at one of the various designated bonfire sites to sing folk songs, dance, drink and watch fireworks. In most places the varm korv (hot dog) vendors will be close by to satisfy any mid-party cravings. Guaranteed these bonfires are the biggest controlled fires many people have ever seen up-close, but not to worry, firefighters are at the scene to start and stop the blaze.

History of Valborg

Historically Valborg is derived from the Viking fertility celebrations that took place around April 30th, where the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. The actual purpose of the fires was to scare off witches and evil spirits. A practical use for the bonfires was also to scare off predators such as foxes before the livestock were let out to graze on May 1st. In the Middle Ages, the pagan Spring ritual became associated with Saint Walpurga who was declared a saint during this time of the year.

Bonfire gatherings in Stockholm

Most popular

• Riddarholmen
  Entertainment by the orchestra from ABF, Sånåras women’s choir and Master Olof’s Choir.
  Spring speech and open mic for those who want to welcome spring welcome in your own words. 
  19:45 – torches are available from the Main Square.
  20.10 – torchlight procession from the town square in the old town to Riddarholmen
  20:30 – The bonfire is lit at 20.30. 
• Skansen 
  Including spring concerts, ballet performances and speeches – makes a fun day out for everyone. Free admission for students with a valid ID.
  14:30 – Walpurgis celebrations begin
  21:00 – Bonfire is lit
• Gamla Stan
  11:00 –  Join in a 40 year tradition and listen to the preschoolers of the Old Town sing on the Stock Exchange floor.

Intimate or local gatherings-

• Svanholmsparken, Danderyd - fire starts at 20:30
• Vinterviken, Aspudden – fire starts at 20:30
• Lidingö folkhögskola, Lidingö - celebrations start at 16:00; fire starts at 20:00
• Hjorthagens idrottsplats, Östermalm - fire starts at 20:00
• Hammarbybacken- celebrations start at 17:00; fire starts at 20:00
• Götiska tornet, Drottningholm- fire starts at 21:00
• Ekebyhovs slottspark-  celebrations start at 18:00; fire starts at 20:00
• Tyresta by, Tyresta - celebrations start at 19:30
• Hågelbyparken, Hågelby gård-  celebrations start at 18:00; fire starts at 20:00
• Skytteholmsfältet, Solna - celebrations start at 18:00; fire starts at 20: 30
• Bandängen- celebrations start at 18:00; fire starts at 20:00
• Skärholmens gård, Skärholmen - fire starts at 18:30
• Baset, Järfälla- celebrations start at 19:00; fire starts at 20:30
• Riddersviks gård, Ridder Allé 11, Hässelby- celebrations starts at 20:00
• Tegelhagen, Sollentuna- celebrations start at 18:00; fire starts at 21:15

For more information on locations of bonfires see the listings in the city newspapers this weekend.

By Kristan Coleman
Image credits: Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se