Valborgsaften: a fiery farewell to winter

celebrations in Sweden

Valborgsaften (in German Walpurgisnacht) is the evening before May 1st, which is Valborg Day. The name refers to the English nun Saint Walburga, who died in 779 and served as a missionary in the Frankish Empire. Her name was adapted in the Nordic countries as Valborg.

This night is considered a magical time in both Scandinavian and German traditions, when the boundary between the world of humans and supernatural forces becomes thin. People would stay awake to avoid being tricked by underground powers, and cleansing fires were lit on hills. In some places, people also raised a Maypole – a tall pole decorated with wreaths, fresh beech leaves, and colored ribbons, symbolizing summer fertility.

Pagan Origins and Church Resistance

Valborgsaften has its roots in pre-Christian times, when both Celtic and Germanic peoples celebrated the transition from winter to summer on this very night. The belief in witches’ sabbaths only emerged later in folk tradition. In Denmark, especially in Jutland, it was believed that witches flew to Tromsø Church, considered close to the boundary of paganism. In Germany, the witches’ destination was Bloksbjerg in the Harz mountains.

A key ritual element was the so-called “wild fire” or “emergency fire” (nødild), which could not be ignited using normal flames but had to be created by rubbing wood against wood – an ancient method. This fire was believed to have purifying powers and was known across the Germanic world with similar names: “nødild” in Danish and Norwegian, “Notfeuer” in German, and “neidfire” in English. The Church viewed this as a dangerous pagan practice. Already in 742, a church council in Germany explicitly banned Christians from lighting such “godless fires,” but the tradition endured.

Modern Celebrations in Scandinavia

In Sweden, Valborg (Valborgsmässoafton) is one of the most important spring festivals. Large bonfires (majbrasor) are lit in parks and on hills, where people gather, sing traditional spring songs (such as “Vintern rasat ut...”), and listen to speeches welcoming the light and nature’s awakening. Many places feature music performances, choirs, parades, and even local markets selling crafts, food, and flowers.

Students play a major role—especially in cities like Uppsala and Lund, where they participate in parades, concerts, and river raft races (forsränning), and celebrate all day. Festivities often begin with a champagne breakfast and continue with picnics and late-night parties. Students wear their white caps (studentmössa) as symbols of youth and community.

Food and drink are also central. In Sweden and Finland, people enjoy grilled sausages, meats, potato salad, as well as cakes and desserts. In Finland, the traditional drink is sima – a lightly fermented honey-lemon soda – and tippaleipä, a fried pastry dusted with sugar. Sweets, biscuits, and fruit are also popular.

a Finnish delicacy tippaleipä

Children have their own traditions. In Sweden and Finland, family events are held with games, balloons, paper hats, and craft activities. In some areas, there are lantern parades, and in Dalarna, Sweden, it is still a custom to leap over the Valborg fire. In Helsinki, it’s tradition for students to place a student cap on the statue of Havis Amanda, which symbolically kicks off the public celebration.

In Denmark, Valborg is not a public holiday and is celebrated only locally – mostly in parts of eastern Denmark and Jutland, where smaller bonfire gatherings with barbecues and community events are still held. In Norway, Valborg is barely observed today. May 1st is more strongly associated with International Workers’ Day and political rallies.

Despite the different forms of celebration, what remains constant across the countries is the symbolic act of burning away winter, celebrating the renewal of nature, and reinforcing social togetherness, which is particularly meaningful in the North after long, dark winters.