Upcoming Events
Join us to close out the Christmas season the Swedish way!
Tjugondedag Knut is the joyful farewell to Christmas in Sweden,
blending historical roots with a playful tradition of “plundering” the tree before returning to normal routines.
Join us for music, singing and dancing as we dance out the Christmas season.
Pea Soup to be served
Bring a dish to share
When: Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 4pm
Where: Faith United Methodist Church
909 19th Ave N, Fargo ND 58102
Tjugondedag Knut is the joyful farewell to Christmas in Sweden,
blending historical roots with a playful tradition of “plundering” the tree before returning to normal routines.
Join us for music, singing and dancing as we dance out the Christmas season.
Pea Soup to be served
Bring a dish to share
When: Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 4pm
Where: Faith United Methodist Church
909 19th Ave N, Fargo ND 58102
Read on to learn a little more about this Swedish celebration!
Tjugondedag Knut, or Saint Knut’s Day, is celebrated in Sweden and Finland on January 13 as the traditional end of the Christmas season.
On this day, people take down their Christmas trees and decorations, often with a festive gathering called julgransplundring (“Christmas tree plundering”), where children enjoy the sweets and cookies that decorated the tree.
On this day, people take down their Christmas trees and decorations, often with a festive gathering called julgransplundring (“Christmas tree plundering”), where children enjoy the sweets and cookies that decorated the tree.
- Date: January 13, exactly twenty days after Christmas Eve.
- Meaning: Marks the official close of the Christmas season in Sweden and Finland.
- Traditions:
- Taking down the Christmas tree and ornaments.
- Hosting a julgransplundring party, where families “dance Christmas out” and children eat leftover treats.
- Origins: The day is named after Prince Canute Lavard of Denmark, later associated with Canute the Saint. Though linked to Danish history, the tradition of ending Christmas on this date is uniquely Swedish and Finnish.
- Cultural Role: Since at least the 17th century, this day has been a joyful way to transition from the festive season back to everyday life.
Check out our calendar below for additional events!
Events shown in pink are US holidays. Events shown in yellow are Swedish holidays. Events with no background are local events.
Past Events
Join us as we celebrate the St. Lucia tradition to honor our cultural heritage and share the story of Saint Lucia, a symbol of light and hope during the dark winter months. Rooted in Swedish folklore, the tradition commemorates a miraculous event during a famine when Saint Lucia appeared with food, her head crowned in light. The celebration includes a candlelit procession, music, treats & fellowship, blending faith, folklore, and festive spirit in this cherished annual celebration.
When: Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 4pm
Where: Faith United Methodist Church
909 19th Ave N, Fargo ND 58102
When: Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 4pm
Where: Faith United Methodist Church
909 19th Ave N, Fargo ND 58102
Hejsan alla!
Please join us for our annual meeting where we will be discussing this year's upcoming events and having an election for the 2025-2026 Board members.
Also, local artist, Jill Johnson will be hosting the program...Dala Horse printing!
Coffee and Swedish Cinnamon buns provided.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Vi ses!
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025 @ 2 PM
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church
213 8th St S, Moorhead, MN, United States, Minnesota
Please join us for our annual meeting where we will be discussing this year's upcoming events and having an election for the 2025-2026 Board members.
Also, local artist, Jill Johnson will be hosting the program...Dala Horse printing!
Coffee and Swedish Cinnamon buns provided.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Vi ses!
When: Saturday, October 4, 2025 @ 2 PM
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church
213 8th St S, Moorhead, MN, United States, Minnesota
Crayfish Party - Kräftskiva - Saturday, August 23, 2025
Join us for this fun-filled POT-LUCK celebration! Crayfish & shrimp are provided along with lemonade and Aquavit. We will eat and drink and sing!
Location: Lake Park, MN
Contact Karen for more information on location & RSVP
For info/RSVP to Karen Erickson @ 701-280-1184 or 701-367-5314 or email her @ [email protected]
Location: Lake Park, MN
Contact Karen for more information on location & RSVP
For info/RSVP to Karen Erickson @ 701-280-1184 or 701-367-5314 or email her @ [email protected]
A kräftskiva is a beloved Swedish summer tradition—a festive crayfish party typically held in August. It’s a joyful, quirky, and slightly messy celebration that blends food, drink, music, and cultural flair.
Origins & Timing
Historical roots: Originated in Sweden to mark the end of the crayfish fishing ban, which used to run from November to early August.
Modern celebration: Even though the ban was lifted in 1994, Swedes continue the tradition for fun and cultural continuity.
What Happens at a Kräftskiva?
Main dish: Boiled crayfish (kräftor), often served cold and unpeeled.
Side dishes: Bread, cheese (especially Västerbotten cheese), pies, and potatoes.
Drinks: Plenty of snaps (Swedish schnapps), often accompanied by drinking songs like “Helan går.”
Attire: Guests wear colorful paper hats and bibs, adding to the playful atmosphere.
Decor: Lanterns, moon-shaped cutouts, and long communal tables under white tents.
Quirks & Customs
Peeling crayfish: It’s a hands-on experience—expect sticky fingers and lots of napkins.
Sucking the kräftor: Swedes often suck the juices from the crayfish before eating them.
“Bajsrand” removal: Guests are advised to remove the crayfish’s intestine before eating—some learn this the hard way!
Hangover humor: The next day, Swedes jokingly blame stomach issues on crayfish rather than the snaps.
Cultural Significance
Kräftskiva is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of Swedish summer, community, and tradition. It’s a way to squeeze in one last outdoor party before the long winter sets in.
Origins & Timing
Historical roots: Originated in Sweden to mark the end of the crayfish fishing ban, which used to run from November to early August.
Modern celebration: Even though the ban was lifted in 1994, Swedes continue the tradition for fun and cultural continuity.
What Happens at a Kräftskiva?
Main dish: Boiled crayfish (kräftor), often served cold and unpeeled.
Side dishes: Bread, cheese (especially Västerbotten cheese), pies, and potatoes.
Drinks: Plenty of snaps (Swedish schnapps), often accompanied by drinking songs like “Helan går.”
Attire: Guests wear colorful paper hats and bibs, adding to the playful atmosphere.
Decor: Lanterns, moon-shaped cutouts, and long communal tables under white tents.
Quirks & Customs
Peeling crayfish: It’s a hands-on experience—expect sticky fingers and lots of napkins.
Sucking the kräftor: Swedes often suck the juices from the crayfish before eating them.
“Bajsrand” removal: Guests are advised to remove the crayfish’s intestine before eating—some learn this the hard way!
Hangover humor: The next day, Swedes jokingly blame stomach issues on crayfish rather than the snaps.
Cultural Significance
Kräftskiva is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of Swedish summer, community, and tradition. It’s a way to squeeze in one last outdoor party before the long winter sets in.
Swedish Midsommar - Thursday, June 19, 2025
Midsummer is one of the most cherished holidays in Sweden, celebrating the longest day of the year and the arrival of summer.
Traditionally, it has roots in pagan customs, symbolizing fertility and the abundance of nature.
While some link it to the birthday of John the Baptist, many Swedes celebrate it simply as a joyful occasion to welcome summer.
This year our featured entertainment is PROJECT: CONSTELLATION
Project: Constellation is an acoustic folk-pop-punk-singer-songwriter duo from Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Their style stretches from folk, to jazz, to punk, and everywhere in between.
Come join us for this unique Swedish tradition, bring a treat to share and gather around the maypole as we sing, dance and celebrate the long-awaited days of summer!
Begins @ 6:00pm
Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
2010 Elm St N, Fargo ND
Traditionally, it has roots in pagan customs, symbolizing fertility and the abundance of nature.
While some link it to the birthday of John the Baptist, many Swedes celebrate it simply as a joyful occasion to welcome summer.
This year our featured entertainment is PROJECT: CONSTELLATION
Project: Constellation is an acoustic folk-pop-punk-singer-songwriter duo from Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Their style stretches from folk, to jazz, to punk, and everywhere in between.
Come join us for this unique Swedish tradition, bring a treat to share and gather around the maypole as we sing, dance and celebrate the long-awaited days of summer!
Begins @ 6:00pm
Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
2010 Elm St N, Fargo ND
ANNUAL EVENTS
Sweden has lots of beautiful events throughout the year, and the Swedish Society tries to celebrate as many as we can. COVID has put a damper on our community gatherings, but you can see below some of the events we have done in the past.
December 13 - Sankta Luciasdag | Saint Lucy's Day
The Sankta Lucia tradition is one of Sweden's most famous. As legend has it, Sweden was undergoing famine and by miracle a ship laden with food showed up in the harbor. At the bow of the boat was a woman dressed in white, with a saintly halo of light crowning her hair. It was the Catholic Saint Lucy, coming to rescue them. Since then, Sankta Luciasdag has been celebrated on December 13, St. Lucy's feast day. Early in the morning on December 13, the eldest daughter of the house is dressed in a white gown with a red sash (the symbol of the saint's martyrdom) and her saintly glow is recreated with a crown of candles. The girl carries lussekatter (Saint Lucy's cats), a type of swirled saffron bun, with coffee.
Today, Swedish communities recreate this as an evening procession. Here in the Fargo-Moorhead area, the Swedish Society has been hosting Sankta Lucia's Dag celebrations each year for decades. A high school- or college-aged girl is selected to play Sankta Lucia, and young girls and boys dress as her attendants and process through a local church. The legend of Sankta Lucia is told, her special song is sung, and then the Society celebrates with homemade Swedish treats and coffee.
Today, Swedish communities recreate this as an evening procession. Here in the Fargo-Moorhead area, the Swedish Society has been hosting Sankta Lucia's Dag celebrations each year for decades. A high school- or college-aged girl is selected to play Sankta Lucia, and young girls and boys dress as her attendants and process through a local church. The legend of Sankta Lucia is told, her special song is sung, and then the Society celebrates with homemade Swedish treats and coffee.
January 13 - Tjugondag Knut | Twentieth Day of Knut
January 13 is Saint Knut's Day and closes out the Christmas season in Sweden and Finland. Known as the "twentieth day of Knut," it falls approximately 20 days after Christmas. The apocryphal story is that Saint Knut's Day was originally closer to Epiphany/Twelfth Night, but was moved to put an official end to the Christmas feasting, which had continued much longer than some people thought it should.
St. Knut's Party, as it is sometimes known in Sweden, is a time to eat up the last of the Christmas goodies, strip the tree of its ornaments and candy, dance around the Christmas tree one last time, and then throw it out into the snow. In many communities, the natural trees are saved for the Valborg bonfires.
Although less popular today in modern Sweden, the Swedish Society here in Fargo-Moorhead continues the tradition with a potluck of goodies, Swedish Christmas crafts, singing and dancing around the tree, and (symbolically) carrying it out the door and into the snow.
St. Knut's Party, as it is sometimes known in Sweden, is a time to eat up the last of the Christmas goodies, strip the tree of its ornaments and candy, dance around the Christmas tree one last time, and then throw it out into the snow. In many communities, the natural trees are saved for the Valborg bonfires.
Although less popular today in modern Sweden, the Swedish Society here in Fargo-Moorhead continues the tradition with a potluck of goodies, Swedish Christmas crafts, singing and dancing around the tree, and (symbolically) carrying it out the door and into the snow.
April 30 - Valborg | May Eve
Valborg, known in other countries as Walpurgis, is celebrated in Sweden to mark the end of the old calendar year, which in the Middle Ages ended on April 30. Throughout history Swedes have used this festival, named for the Saint Walburga, to celebrate the start of spring. Normally a public, rather than family event, Swedes celebrate Valborg by singing traditional songs, eating traditional springtime foods, and having a big bonfire.
The Swedish Society does the same thing! When we are able, we gather together for Swedish treats, singing, and a (much smaller than pictured) bonfire.
The Swedish Society does the same thing! When we are able, we gather together for Swedish treats, singing, and a (much smaller than pictured) bonfire.
June 26 - Midsommar | Midsummer
In Sweden, in part because of its northern location, Midsummer is when the majstång or May pole is erected and danced around. Midsommar is a time of greenery, flowers and flower crowns, dancing around the may pole, singing traditional songs, wearing Swedish national costumes, and celebrating the beautiful summer weather. Midsummer eve sometimes includes bonfires and legends say that any girl who picks seven wildflowers on midsummer and places them under her pillow will dream of the person she will marry.
The Swedish Society celebrates Midsommar with a maypole, dancing and singing, and a summer outdoor potluck. Flower crowns and traditional costumes are encouraged, but not required. Midsommar festivities also often include live music from local or visiting Swedish musicians.
The Swedish Society celebrates Midsommar with a maypole, dancing and singing, and a summer outdoor potluck. Flower crowns and traditional costumes are encouraged, but not required. Midsommar festivities also often include live music from local or visiting Swedish musicians.
August - Kräftskiva | Crayfish Party
August in Sweden is vacation time, when Swedes go to the seaside or local lakes. Crayfish is a popular summertime treat. Boiled crayfish with dill, picnic foods like mushroom pies, cheese, and bread, and copious amounts of beer and icy cold akavit (strong liquor flavored with herbs and spices) are consumed. Paper lanterns decorate the outdoors and paper hats and bibs (to prevent the mess of eating crayfish from ending up on your shirt) set a festive mood. Singing Swedish drinking songs is a popular pastime.
This is one of the newest Swedish Society events and helps close out the summer season.
This is one of the newest Swedish Society events and helps close out the summer season.