Walpurgis Night（Valborgsmässoafton)

Sweden’s Fiery Festival of Song and Spring

2026/04/29

Walpurgis Night is a traditional Swedish fire festival that celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring. On the last night of April, as the long winter finally draws to a close, towns and villages across Sweden are filled with the excitement of “Walpurgis Night (Valborg).” In the crisp evening air, huge bonfires are lit one after another, choirs sing songs to welcome spring, and people gather to celebrate the changing of the seasons. The roaring flames, music, and the shared exhilaration—if you want to experience Swedish community spirit and the joy of seasonal change, this is a must-see event.

Held every year on April 30, this festival is for everyone: students, families, city dwellers, country folk, locals, and travelers alike. Whether in a bustling city square or a quiet lakeside village, everyone is wrapped in the warmth of fire, song, and the fresh air of spring.

Main Attractions

Giant Bonfires

The centerpiece of Walpurgis Night is the huge bonfires, built from branches and wood collected by the community. As dusk falls, the fires are lit, flames leap into the night sky, and people of all ages are drawn to their warmth and power. The crackling sound, the scent of burning wood, and the flicker of the flames—this is a spring ritual for all the senses.

Key Events

As the bonfires are lit, student and local choirs sing spring songs. In university towns like Uppsala and Lund, students parade through the streets wearing white student caps, enjoy picnics, river rafting, and all-night parties. Many towns also feature springtime speeches, fireworks, torchlight processions, and games for children.

Costumes and Decorations

There’s no strict dress code, but university students traditionally wear white student caps (studentmössa). Scarves and coats are common due to the lingering chill, and some people decorate with spring flowers or Swedish flags. The bonfire itself is the star of the festival, sometimes adorned with ribbons or lanterns.

Traditional Food & Drink

Picnics are a staple, with baskets filled with sandwiches, sausages, potato salad, and baked goods. In student areas, champagne and strawberries are a must, while families grill hot dogs over the fire or enjoy homemade cakes and coffee. The aroma of roasting sausages and the sweetness of strawberries truly signal the arrival of spring.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of Walpurgis Night trace back to ancient Germanic fire festivals celebrating the transition from winter to spring. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits and pray for the return of light. The name comes from Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century English nun, whose feast day coincided with these spring celebrations. In the 19th century, the festival became especially popular among students, and today it has grown into a nationwide spring tradition.

For Swedes, Walpurgis Night is more than just a festival—it’s a symbolic farewell to the long winter, a celebration of hope and renewal, and the joy of welcoming spring together. Gathering around the bonfire is a cherished ritual of sharing the anticipation of a new season, free from the cold and darkness.

Participant Voices

In a small village outside Stockholm, I joined locals around the bonfire and sang spring songs together. A local woman told me, “Since I was a child, this festival has always felt like the true beginning of spring.” That really left an impression on me.

Fun Facts

In Uppsala alone, more than 100,000 people gather, making it one of Sweden’s largest outdoor events.
The student cap (studentmössa) is traditionally worn for the first time by graduates on this night.
Walpurgis Night is also celebrated in Finland, Estonia, Germany, and other parts of Northern Europe.
In some areas, old Christmas trees from winter are burned in the bonfires.