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WORKING IN SWEDEN

Reader question: Do I get a day off at Midsummer?

When Swedes talk about celebrating midsommar, they mean Midsummer's Eve, which this year falls on Friday June 21st. It's not a so-called 'red day', but do you still get the day off?

Published: 20 June 2023 12:04 CEST
Updated: 20 June 2024 13:58 CEST
Reader question: Do I get a day off at Midsummer?
A Midsummer celebration in Dalarna last year. Photo: Ulf Palm/TT

The majority of workers – at least those who work normal working hours throughout the week – will have the day off on Midsummer’s Eve, despite the fact that it is not officially a röd dag or public holiday.

The reason it’s celebrated on a Friday rather than on the actual summer solstice, which this year is on June 20th, is due to a 1953 reform to make it fit in better with the working week – and presumably to give workers the Saturday off to recover from the festivities.

It is, however, listed as a holiday day equivalent to a Sunday in Sweden’s Annual Leave Act, so if you don’t usually work on Sundays you should have the day off.

If you do have to work on Midsummer’s Eve, you may be offered OB-tillägg (pay for working inconvenient hours), overtime pay, or a day off in lieu at a later date.

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SWEDEN IN FOCUS

How to celebrate Midsummer like a Swede

What's the significance of the maypole? Where does the frog dance come from? Is getting drunk obligatory? Jonas Engman from the Nordic Museum in Stockholm gives us the lowdown on Sweden's Midsummer traditions.

Published: 19 June 2024 14:06 CEST
How to celebrate Midsummer like a Swede

In this week’s Sweden in Focus Extra, host Paul O’Mahony chats to Nordic Museum curator Jonas Engman about the history of Swedish Midsummer. 

It’s the most Swedish celebration of them all but how can you celebrate if you’re new to the country? 

Our guest provides expert tips so everyone can find a place to do the frog dance dance around the maypole. 

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