Christmas in Swedish America 2018

Find a Swedish celebration near you through our comprehensive guide, covering all of Sweden in America.

In Sweden they say "pepparkakor" (gingersnaps) make you kind. ("Av pepparkakor blir man snäll.") It's soon Thanksgiving and any time is a good time to be kind.
Christmas season has kicked off and we started listing events in the printed newspaper already three weeks ago. Missing an event or a region? Check events at our free online Nordstjernan Events Calendar and submit any new events you may want to share.
A seasonal worker, Santa is going through wish lists.
Arizona
Scottsdale
12.01, 10 AM - 5 PM
Swedish Christmas Market, Lucia pageant, jultomte, crafts and gifts, Café Swea and Kid’s activities. SWEA Arizona, www.arizona.swea.org / arizona@swea.org
Bedtime reading at Tomteland.
California
Los Altos - Los Altos Lutheran Church
12.15, 3-5 PM
3rd Advent church service followed by coffee, refreshments. The Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
The Newspaper for everyone Swedish in America
Los Angeles - San Pedro
12.01, 6-8 PM
1 Adventmässa. Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se
Make Life Sweder. A subscription to Nordstjernan is the gift that keeps coming: <a href="http://www.nordstjernan.com/subscribe">SUBSCRIBE to Nordstjernan</a> Treat yourself or order it for someone you care about. (Stay on top of food - collect recipes - follow film, music and Swedish events or traditions that concern us in the United States)
Los Angeles - San Pedro
12.08, 6 PM
Svenska Kyrkans’s Julbord. Info and RSVP: www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se / 310-292-7079
View of Tomteland, Santa's Winterland in Dalarna, Sweden. For more info, see www.tomteland.se
Los Angeles - San Pedro
12.16, 6 PM
Svenska Kyrkans’s Lucia Celebration with Lucia pageant and Lussefika. www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se
Looking for a special gift? A gift that will last for a long time? Look at our website under <a href="http://www.nordstjernan.com/subscribe">SUBSCRIBE</a> It will last for as long as you'd like...
Los Angeles - San Pedro
12.25, 7 AM
Svenska Kyrkans’s Julotta. www.svenskakyrkan.se/losangeles / losangeles@svenskakyrkan.se / 310-292-7079
The Christmas moose are sure to be back - one of the most photographed Christmas animals in Stockholm take over the central square Nybroplan.
Los Gatos
12.09, 3-6:30 PM
Lucia Celebration with Zaida Singers, Swedish shopping with glögg, hot dogs, used children’s books, handmade Christmas decorations, dancing around the Christmas tree and fika. swed_school@yahoo.com / www.swedschool.org
The 2018 Lindsborg Lucia Morgan Bowles. Photo: Jim Turner
Petaluma
12.09, 4-7 PM
St. Lucia Festival. Lucia Pageant, Santa, Swedish food and drinks. Linnea Lodge #504, www.linnealodge.org / linnealodge@gmail.com / 415-990-3882

San Diego - Balboa Park
12.07 - 12.08, 5-11 PM
Annual Christmas Fair. Lucia-procession, Swedish crafts, vendors, baked goods, food and drinks. SWEA San Diego, www.sandiego.swea.org /sandiego@swea.org
San Francisco - Berkeley
11.23 - 11.26
Open House with Scandinavian Christmas carols at Nordic House, www.nordichouse.com / 800-854-6435
San Francisco
12.01, 9 AM - 4 PM
Swedish Christmas Fair. Lucia, crafts, gifts, delicacies, Swedish music and activities for kids. SWEA San Francisco, www.sanfrancisco.swea.org / julmarknad@sweasanfrancisco.org

San Francisco
12.05, 6 - 9 PM
Student and au-pair Christmas dinner. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
San Francisco
12.07, 12 - 3 PM
Christmas Lunch. Traditional Swedish Christmas lunch buffet and Lucia procession. Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce, www.sacc-sf.org / events@sacc-sf.org
San Francisco
12.09, 11AM - 12PM
2nd Advent church service followed by coffee, refreshments and Christmas raffle drawing. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
San Francisco
12.09, 3-4 PM
Traditional Lucia performance. Coffee, refreshments, ginger cookies and saffron bread. Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
San Francisco - Swedish American Hall
12.09
Santa Lucia celebration. Lucia procession, lussekatter, glögg and Scandinavian treats. The Young Scandinavians Club, www.ysc.org / ucia@ysc.org
San Francisco
12.15
Scandinavian Christmas dinner. The Young Scandinavians Club, www.ysc.org / info@ysc.org
San Francisco
12.24, 11 AM
Swedish church service - “Samling vid krubban.” Swedish Church in San Francisco, www.svenskakyrkan.se/sanfrancisco / 415-632-8504
Santa Cruz - Peace United Church of Christ
12.01, 4 PM
Lucia Festival with Zaida singers, dancing around the Christmas tree and kids’ activities. Scandinavian Cultural Center, www.scc-santacruz.org / santacruz@gmail.com
Torrance, Los Angeles
12.02, 10 AM - 5 PM
Swedish Christmas Fair. Food, crafts, books, jewelry, toys, Lucia pageant, Jultomte and “fika.” SWEA LA, www.losangeles.swea.org / swealachristmasfair@gmail.com
Colorado
Denver - Calvary Baptist Church
12.01, 10:30 AM - 3 PM
Swedish Christmas Market. Traditional food & crafts, bake sale, flower arrangements, glögg, Lucia and Santa. SWEA Denver, www.denver.swea.org / denver@swea.org
Connecticut
Hartford - Emanuel Lutheran Church
12.07, 5 & 8 PM
Lucia Festival of music and light. Swedish refreshments after each performance. office@emanuelhartford.org / 860-525-0894

Westport - Christ & Holy Trinity Church
12.15
Lucia Celebration. Lucia, glögg and Swedish delicacies. Swedish School of Connecticut, www.svenskaskolanct.com / svenskaskolanconn@gmail.com
Delaware
Wilmington - Old Swedes Church
12.09
Santa Lucia Celebration. The Delaware Swedish Colonial Society and Old Swedes Historic Site, www.oldswedes.org / info@oldswedes.org
Florida
Boca Raton
12.01, 11 AM - 3 PM
Christmas Bazaar. SWEA South Florida, www.southflorida.swea.org / florida@swea.org
Boca Raton
12.17, 5-9 PM
Julkonsert and Julbord. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se
Davie
12.02, 4 PM
Adventsgudstjänst. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se
Davie
12.24, 11 AM - 12 PM
Julmässa. Glögg och gingersnaps. Svenska kyrkan, www. svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se
Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach
12.14, 6:30 – 11 PM
Glöggafton hosted by Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Fort Lauderdale & Palm Beach, www.sacc-sfl.org / info@sacc-sfl.org / 305-497-7754
Lake Worth
12.09, 2 - 7 PM
Swedish Julfest and Glögg party. Great food, desserts and coffee. $10, holiday raffles! Nordic Heritage Club of South Florida, carolrune@aol.com / 561-737-6476
Miami - Immanuel Lutheran Church
12.08, 6 PM
Lucia Celebration. Svenska kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/florida / florida@svenskakyrkan.se
Sarasota - St. Armand’s Key Lutheran
12.09, 5:30 - 9 PM
Lucia Celebration. Lucia pageant, coffee, glögg and baked goods. The Swedish Club of Sarasota, www.swedishclubsarasota.org / info@SwedishClubSarasota.org
Georgia
Atlanta
11.29, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Glögg Mingle with Christmas treats. SACC Georgia, www.sacc-georgia.org / info@sacc-georgia.org
Atlanta - Sandy Springs
12.02 11 AM - 3:30 PM
Svensk Julmarknad. Baked goods, flowers, handicrafts, Swedish delicacies, Lucia and activities for kids. SWEA Atlanta, www.atlanta.swea.org / sweaatlanta@gmail.com
Atlanta - Druid Hills Golf Club
12.15, 6:30 PM
Lucia Gala 2018. Swedish Christmas smorgasbord, Lucia, dancing and singing. SACC Georgia. www.sacc-georgia.org / info@sacc-georgia.org
Illinois
Batavia - Bethany Lutheran Church
12.08, 3-6 PM
20th Annual Swedish Christmas and St.Lucia with the Swedish American Children’s Choir and Chicago Swedish Glee Club. Swedish Sweet Table included in ticket, RSVP swedesongs4u@aol.com / 630-414-9700
Bishop Hill
11.23-11.25 & 12.01-12.02
Swedish Christmas Market – Julmarknad. Music, handmade items, antiques, folk art, and other gift items. www.bishophill.com / 309-927-3899
Bishop Hill
12.25, 6 AM
Julotta. Service in both Swedish and English. www.bishophill.com / 309-927-3845
Chicago - North Park University
12.08, 4 PM
Sankta Lucia Celebration. Smörgåsbord following the pageant. North Park University Center for Scandinavian Studies, www.northpark.edu.
Chicago - Andersonville
12.01 - 12.02, 10 AM - 5 PM
Julmarknad. Scandinavian handicrafts and kaffestuga, Santa and children’s crafts, games, Lucia and folk dancers. Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773-728-8111
Chicago
12.07, 11:15 AM - 3 PM
36th Annual Lucia Luncheon. Info and tickets: Swedish American Chamber of Commerce-Chicago, www.sacc-chicago.org / 312.257.3002
Chicago
12.08 - 12.09, 9 - 11 AM
Breakfast with Tomten. Swedish pancake breakfast with traditional crafts, dancing around the Christmas tree. RSVP www.swedishamericanmuseum.org /museum@samac.org
Chicago
12.13, 12 PM - Chicago Culture Center
12.13, 4:45 PM - Swedish American Museum
12.13, 7 PM - Ebenezer Lutheran Church
Lucia celebration with procession, holiday songs and readings. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773.728.8111
Chicago
12.16, 5 PM
Julmiddag. Traditional Christmas smörgåsbord, Lucia procession, dancing ‘round the christmas tree and Santa. Tickets: Swedish American Museum, www.swedishamericanmuseum.org / 773.728.8111
Chicago - Ebenezer Lutheran Church
12.16, 4PM
Svensk Julgudstjänst (traditional Swedish Christmas service). www.swedishamericanmuseum.org.
Geneva
12.07, 6-10 PM
Annual Christmas Walk. Santa Lucia and her attendants arrive by horse-drawn carriage. Geneva Chamber of Commerce, www.genevachamber.com / lrush@genevachamber.com
Orland Park - Hope Covenant Church
12.08, 10 AM-Noon
Swedish Christmas Breakfast. Traditional foods and special Lucia program with musical guests and Christmas carols. $15, RSVP to lucia@OrlandHope.org / www.orlandhope.org / 708-448-3579
Rockford - First Lutheran Church
12.07, 7 PM
Lucia concert. Swedish songs and candlelit processional. Swedish Historical Society, www.swedishhistorical.org / museum@swedishhistorical.org
Rockford
12.08, 9AM – 2PM
Swedish Historical Society’s annual Jul Marknad. Swedish foods, vendors, meatball luncheon, Kaffee Stuga and dancing with Lucia and Tomte. www.swedishhistorical.org / 815-963-5559
Rock Island
12.11, 5-6:30 PM
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center Julbord Dinner. Traditional Swedish-American Christmas smörgåsbord served in the Wilson Center. RSVP via www.bitly.com/SSIRCjulbord or call 309-794-7204.
Iowa
Elk Horn
11.23 - 11.24
Julefest. Danish food, glögg and tasty treats, old fashioned Julemarket, Christmas concert and Father Christmas. Danish Villages, www.danishvillages.com / 800-451-7960
Iowa City
12.09, 5 PM
Iowa City Swedish Club Lucia Fest - Lucia pageant, Swedish Julbord and glögg. www.iowacityswedishclub.com / Jeannenelson@mchsi.com / 319-354-1762

Sioux City
12.08, 12 - 4 PM
Jul och Lucia with Vasa Norrskenet Lodge #331. Ron Johnson / ron@dalesburg.org / 605-253-2575
Kansas
Lindsborg
12.02, 4-6 PM
Jultide Concert, musical ensembles of Bethany College, a choir and folk dancers. www.visitlindsborg.com / travelinfo@lindsborgcity.org / 785-227-8687
Lindsborg - Bethany Lutheran Church

12.08, 10 AM - 5 PM
Lucia Festival. Holiday music and festivities, Lucia processions and traditional folk dances. www.visitlindsborg.com / travelinfo@lindsborgcity.org
Maryland
Sveaborg
12.15
Sveaborg Society’s Lucia Celebration wwwsveaborgsociety.com / info@sveaborgsociety.org
Massachusetts
Boston
12.08, 10AM - 4PM
Swedish Yuletide. Food, crafts, gifts, Swedish café, musical entertainment, Lucia and kids’ activities. SWEA-Boston, www.sweaboston.org / swedishyuletide@sweaboston.org
Rockport
12.08, 9AM –1 PM
Julfest. Lucia Festival, holiday music, baked goods, gifts for sale and lunch. Spiral Lodge.
Michigan
Grand Rapids - St Mark’s Episcopal Church
12.01, 10 - 11:30 AM
Lucia Celebration - Music and candlelight, saffron buns, cardamom bread, pepparkakor and crafts. SAHS/WM, www.sahswm.org / info@sahswm.org
Novi
12.08, 3 PM
Christmas Concert with Lucia. Arpi Swedish Male and Scandia Women’s Chorus of MI. www.swedishclub.net
Minnesota
Minneapolis
11.27 and 12.18, 6-7:30PM
Jul 101. How do Swedes celebrate Christmas? Make a craft and learn a Swedish Christmas song. www.asimn.org / 612-871-4907
Minneapolis
11.29, 6-9 PM
Scandinavian Christmas Julfest - Experience Scandinavian holiday traditions. www.saccmn.org /info@saccmn.org
Minneapolis
12.01, 10AM - 5PM
12.02, 11AM - 5PM
Christmas Market at American Swedish Institute. Outdoor Handcraft Fair with wares by local artisans, musical performances and activities. www.asimn.org / 612-871-4907
Moorhead - Bethesda Lutheran Church
12.16, 5– 8 PM
Sankta Lucia celebration. Music and Lucia with potluck holiday treats after program. Swedish Cultural Heritage Society of the Red River Valley: valleyinc@msn.com / 701-293-3417
Scandia
12.1 & 12.08
Annie’s Swedish Jul Coffee Party. With history and Swedish Jul program. Gammelgården Museum, www.gammelgardenmuseum.org / 651-433-5054
Scandia
12.09, 6 AM & 8:30 AM
Lucia Celebration. Swedish prayer service and Lucia Fest Breakfast. Gammelgården Museum, www.gammelgardenmuseum.org / museum@gammelgardenmuseum.org
New Jersey
Budd Lake - Vasa Park
11.24, 5 PM
Juldans - Dancing around the Christmas tree with traditional music. Scandinavian specialties, glögg, Sankta Lucia pageant and Santa. www.juldans.org / 973-691-8637
New York
Jamestown
12.01
Julmarknad/Culture day. Music, door prizes and vendors. www.scandinavianjamestown.org / 716-665-0883
New York City
12.07, 6 PM
Christmas Ball at The Metropolitan Club. Dinner, Lucia, silent auction. The American Scandinavian Society, www.americanscandinavian.org / info@americanscandinavian.org
New York City - Scandinavia House
12.09, 5 PM
Holiday Concert & Lucia. Scandinavian and American holiday favorites as well as a traditional St. Lucia procession. www.scandinaviahouse.org / info@amscan.org
New York City
12.14, 5:30-7 PM
Gudrun Sjöden hosts a Lucia choir from the Swedish Church in New York to sing at Fjällräven at 5:30 p.m. then walk in procession to Gudrun Sjöden, 50 Greene Street, for more beautiful songs. Glögg and other holiday treats served. www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-us / 212-219-2510
New York City - Church of the Incarnation
12.15, 4-8 PM
Lucia Celebration. Lucia procession and choirs. Tickets: Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@svenskakyrkan.se
New York City - Church of Sweden
12.24, 11 PM
Christmas service: Celebrate Christ’s birth with hymns. Glögg and gingersnaps afterward. Svenska Kyrkan, www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork / newyork@svenskakyrkan.se
Pearl River - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
12.02, 2-5 PM
Annual St. Lucia Program and Christmas Party at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Pearl River, NY. ingridallison@optonline.net / 845-425-1574
West Hempstead - St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
12.02, 3:30 PM
98th Lucia Festival - Lucia pageant with Barnklubben Elsa Rix#1, folk dancing, coffee, dessert, glögg and gifts. Elainedance@aol.com / 516-565-2091
North Carolina
Raleigh
12.01, 10 AM - 5 PM
Christmas Fair. Scandinavian food, glögg, folk dancing, folk music, crafts and and gifts, Lucia Procession. SWEA & Vasa, www.scanfair.org / info@scanfair.org
North Dakota
Bismarck - Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12.09, 2-4 PM
Santa Lucia with food, dancing, baked treats and goodies. Three Crowns Swedish American Association of Bismarck-Mandan, 3crownsswedish@gmail.com / 701-400-1095
Ohio
Cincinnati
12.09
Lucia Fest. Lucia dinner party. Info and tickets: Scandinavian Society of Cincinnati, www.scandinaviansoc.org

Oregon
Portland - Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12.01 -12.02, 10 AM - 4 PM
ScanFair. Nordic arts and crafts ,food, Lucia, entertainment and kids’ crafts. Nordic Northwest, www.nordicnorthwest.org / 503-977-0275
Portland - First Presbyterian Church
12.08, 3-5 PM
Lucia Fest. Lucia pageant, Tomte, ring dances, baked treats, coffee and glögg. New Sweden Cultural Heritage Society, www.newsweden.org / kristigus@aol.com
Portland - Bethany Presbyterian Church
12.08, 6-8:30 PM
Nordic Christmas Celebration. Scandinavian food and music. Portland Scandinavian Chorus, www.portlandscandinavianchorus.com/concerts / info@portlandscandinavianchorus.com
Portland - First Immanuel Luth. Church
12.25, 7-8 AM
Julotta, a service in English and Swedish. Portland Scandinavian Chorus, www.portlandscandinavianchorus.com/concerts / info@portlandscandinavianchorus.com
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
11.30, 6 PM
Julbord. Cocktails, smörgåsbord, Lucia and Christmas Market. American Swedish Historical Museum, www.americanswedish.org / info@americanswedish.org
Philadelphia
12.01, 11AM – 4 PM
Lucia Fest and Christmas Market with holiday deli items, decorations, and gifts, SWEA bakery and Swedish Christmas Café. American Swedish Historical Museum, www.americanswedish.org / info@ americanswedish.org
Philadelphia
12.07, 6-8 PM
12.08, 2-5 PM
12.09, 2-5 PM
Sankta Lucia and St. Eric’s Fair. Celebrating 81st Lucia Fest! Christmas bazaar with Scandinavian imports. www.old-swedes.com / info@old-swedes.org / 215-389-1513
South Dakota
Dalesburg
12.09 , 3-5 PM
41st annual St Lucia. Dalesburg Scandinavian Association, www.dalesburg.org / ron@dalesburg.org
Texas
Austin
12.09
Annual Lucia and julbazar. Bake sale and Lucia procession. SWEA Austin, www.austin.swea.org / austin@swea.org
Dallas
12.01 , 10 AM - 4 PM
JulBasar and Lucia celebration. SWEA Dallas, www.dallas.swea.org / dallas@swea.org
Houston
12.09
Lucia celebration with procession, jultallrik, fiskdamm and dancing around the christmas tree. SWEA Houston, www.houston.swea.org / sweahouston@hotmail.com
Virginia
Virginia Beach - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
12.01, 9 AM - 3 PM
Swedish Christmas Bazaar. SWEA Virginia Beach, www.virginiabeach.swea.org / virginiabeach@swea.org
Washington
Seattle
12.02, 1 PM
Children’s Christmas in Scandinavia. Santa Lucia, music, dancing and crafts. www.nordicmuseum.org / nordic@nordicmuseum.org
Seattle
12.12, 6:30-8:30 PM
Glögg and meatballs. Traditional Swedish julbord and Lucia procession. SACC-Seattle, www.sacc-seattle.org / info@sacc-seattle.org
Tacoma
12.11, 6:30PM
Sankta Lucia. Festival of Light, reception to follow. Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University, www.plu.edu/scancenter / scancntr@plu.edu
Washington, DC
12.01, 11 AM - 6 PM
Swedish Holiday Market. Scandinavian crafts, cafe and Lucia procession at 5 p.m. SWEA Washington DC at House of Sweden. www.washingtondc.swea.org / sweapr@gmail.com
Wisconsin
Dodgeville - Folklore Village
12.08, 3 PM
St. Lucia with Swedish songs, candlelight and saffron buns. Potluck and dancing. www.folklorevillage.org / programs@folklorevillage.org
Hales Corners - Whitnall Park Lutheran Church
12.09, 5-7 PM
Lucia Celebration. Dance around the Christmas tree, Santa, coffee and treats. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, www.sahswi.org / swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com

Hales Corners - Whitnall Park Lutheran Church
12.25, 7-9 AM
Julotta. Hymns and liturgy in Swedish and English. Coffee and treats. Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, www.sahswi.org / swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com
Sister Bay
12.07 & 12.08
Traditional Swedish Christmas Smörgåsbord. A multi-course Christmas smörgåsbord. Reservations required. Al Johnson’s www.aljohnsons.com / 920-854-2626.
USA - nationwide at participating stores
IKEA
12.07
Swedish Christmas Julbord Celebration at all IKEA Restaurants (except Carson CA) with an all-you-can-eat buffet! Contact your local IKEA store.
No celebration listed close to you? For continuous info from all the U.S., see events at www.nordstjernan.com. Also, find your local SWEA chapter by going to www.swea.org - almost every SWEA organization will have Lucia and/or Christmas fairs.