Ascension Day Description
Ascension Day commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven forty days after Easter, always on a Thursday. It is a national public holiday in Sweden with banks, government offices, and most businesses closed. The day is notable for an unusual Swedish tradition: in northern Sweden, many towns hold midnight services and early morning church visits. In southern regions, the holiday is often spent outdoors. Many Swedes use the adjacent Friday as a "klämdag" to create a long weekend. Walpurgis Night celebrations on April 30 may overlap, blending spring bonfires with Ascension observances.
