The Festival of Santa Lucia is a Scandinavian winter tradition that honors Saint Lucy. Santa Lucia is actually a saint of Sicilian origin. It is believed by many that the Santa Lucia Festival, celebrated on the 13th of December, is relatable to early Viking celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Since Santa Lucia is associated with light, and with spiritual sight, the Festival brings light into the darkness of the winter months.

Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia was a young girl who lived in about 300 CE. At a young age, her Christianity made her the target of anti-Christian sentiment. She was blinded and executed. Lucy is now associated with both light in the darkness and sight. The festival of Santa Lucia celebrates the light brought to one of the darkest days of the year, just as Lucy’s faith shown in a dark period for early Christians.

In many villages in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, the Festival of Santa Lucia is a national holiday. The festival begins early in the morning for some families, with the oldest daughter, called the Lucia bride, bringing coffee and buns to the family. She is garbed in white to represent purity. Sisters wear wreaths and belts of tinsel, and brothers may wear hats with stars on them.

Most towns have a festival and parade on Santa Lucia. Each town picks a representative Lucia bride, and all march carrying candles. It is also a tradition to give gifts or to make donations to charity on Santa Lucia, especially charities that help the blind. This is connected to Santa Lucia and her mother distributing all their wealth after Lucia’s mother was cured of an illness by the sepulcher of Saint Agatha.

The parade often includes many carols to Santa Lucia and to Christ. In fact, in Scandinavian countries, many consider the Festival of Santa Lucia to be the beginning of Christmas. This differs from observance in Christmas in other countries, where Christmas begins on Christmas and ends on Epiphany, which is the sixth of January.

When the parade is over, many continue the celebration of Santa Lucia with traditional foods. Ginger cookies and saffron buns are popular. As well, apple cider, or wine with spices helps to take off the chill. Many have full meals. In Sweden, a smorgasbord of familiar Swedish foods may be served.