All Saints' Day Description
All Saints' Day is a somber and beautiful public holiday when Swedes honor the deceased. Families visit cemeteries at dusk, lighting candles and placing them on graves — the collective glow of thousands of candles across Swedish cemeteries creates an extraordinarily atmospheric sight. The tradition was formalized in 1953 when All Saints' Day was fixed to the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. Many churches hold memorial services, and the day has become one of Sweden's most visually striking and emotionally resonant holidays.
