Question 1

True or false: The traditional St. Lucia Day pastry is a sweet, S-shaped saffron bun called a lussekatt.

Accepted Answer

True. Lussekatter (or St. Lucia buns) are golden, S-shaped saffron buns with raisins, baked on December 13. They're a beloved part of the celebration in Sweden and Norway.

Question 2

True or false: On St. Lucia Day, the eldest daughter in a family traditionally wears a crown of candles.

Accepted Answer

True. The eldest daughter dons a white gown and a wreath with electric or real candles, serving saffron buns to her family—a tradition dating back to 18th-century Sweden.

Question 3

True or false: St. Lucia Day always falls on December 13, regardless of the day of the week.

Accepted Answer

True. The date is fixed on December 13 in the Gregorian calendar, so it lands on a different weekday each year—unlike movable holidays like Easter.

Question 4

True or false: St. Lucia Day is named after a Swedish queen who brought light to the dark winter.

Accepted Answer

False. It's named after Saint Lucia, a 4th-century Christian martyr from Sicily, not a Swedish queen. The celebration blends Italian and Norse traditions.

Question 5

True or false: In some regions of Sweden, men and boys also participate in St. Lucia Day, wearing cone hats and carrying stars.

Accepted Answer

True. Boys join as 'star boys' (stjärngossar) in white robes and pointed, star-topped hats, while 'tomtenissar' (gnomes) may also appear—it's not just for girls.

Question 6

True or false: St. Lucia Day is a federal holiday in Sweden, meaning schools and businesses are closed nationwide.

Accepted Answer

False. It's not a public holiday in Sweden; schools and businesses operate normally. Celebrations happen in the morning or at special events, but it's not a day off.

Question 7

True or false: St. Lucia Day was originally a pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice, later adopted by Christians.

Accepted Answer

False. While December 13 was once the winter solstice under the old Julian calendar, St. Lucia Day itself is purely Christian in origin, honoring a martyr, not a pagan holdover.

Question 8

True or false: St. Lucia Day is celebrated primarily in Sweden, Norway, and parts of Finland, not in Italy.

Accepted Answer

False. Though huge in Scandinavia, St. Lucia is also widely celebrated in Sicily, Italy, where she is the patron saint of Syracuse, with processions and special foods.

St. Lucia Day Trivia Questions