Walpurgis or Valborg in Uppsala – a Beginners Guide

While many students are still recovering from the warm-up celebrations known as “Skvalborg” and “Kvalborg,” you can kick off Valborg with a traditional champagne breakfast in one of Uppsala’s picnic-friendly parks. The lush Stadsträdgården, with its view of the Fyris River, offers the perfect setting. The most important part of this meal isn’t what you eat, but that it’s accompanied by bubbly – whether it’s champagne, sparkling wine, mineral water, or any other fizzy drink.

After breakfast, take a stroll along the Fyris River toward the city center. Here, you’ll find an enthusiastic crowd cheering on homemade rafts as they navigate the river’s currents around 10 AM. Watching these creatively crafted (and often precarious) rafts tackle the Kvarnfallet and Islandsfallet rapids is pure entertainment. This tradition, started by Uppsala’s engineering students in the mid-1970s, is a true spectacle. Be sure to arrive early for a good viewing spot!

No Swedish celebration is complete without herring, and Valborg in Uppsala is no exception. Flustret, located at the entrance to Stadsträdgården, Uppsala Art Museum and Uppsala Concert & Congress (UKK) at Vaksala Square host traditional herring lunches. Expect a festive mix of food, drinks, and long tables accompanied by cheerful spring songs!

The main hub for students and partygoers on Valborg is undoubtedly Ekonomikum Park. Many spend their entire day here. Families and those looking for a calmer atmosphere can settle on the park’s outskirts, while those seeking the heart of the party should arrive early to claim a prime spot.

Before the hat-raising ceremony (see next item on the agenda) at 3 PM, the legendary student orchestra Wijkmanska Blecket performs on the steps of Carolina Rediviva, the university library just a stone’s throw from the Ekonomikum Park. This lively orchestra, associated with Uplands Nation, offers an energetic mix of musical styles for everyone to enjoy!

At precisely 3 PM, on the command of Uppsala University’s Vice-Chancellor, new and weathered student caps are raised in unison to welcome the arrival of spring. This tradition, held on the central Carolinabacken hill near Uppsala Castle and the Cathedral, dates back to the early 1900s and has been celebrated in its current form since the 1950s.

A newer addition to the tradition is a concert by the male choir Orphei Drängar (OD), performed on the steps of Carolina Rediviva. Renowned as one of the world’s best male choirs, OD promises an unforgettable choral experience.

After the hat-raising ceremony, students in rugged clothes dash off to partake in the “Champagne Gallop” at various student nations. This playful tradition involves a mix of water fights and spraying champagne on one another. While non-members of the Students Unions can’t join the gallop, you can still catch a glimpse of soaked participants near the nations. Alternatively, grab a seat at one of the city’s many outdoor cafés and soak in the lively Valborg atmosphere.

Ever dreamed of attending a ball in a real castle? During Valborg in Uppsala, dreams come true! Anyone over 18, can sign up for the annual Valborg Ball at the historic Uppsala Castle. Put on your finest attire and prepare for a magical evening with dinner, songs, and dancing into the night. It’s going to be glamorous, grand, and absolutely enchanting!

As the evening chill sets in, warm up by a traditional bonfire. Several bonfires are lit around Uppsala during the late hours of April 30th. One of the most popular is at Gamla Uppsala’s Royal Mounds, preceded by a torchlit procession. Another gathering spot around 9 PM is the Gunilla Bell at Uppsala Castle courtyard, where you’ll hear inspiring spring speeches and songs celebrating student life.

If you’re in the mood to keep the party going, local nightclubs like Flustret and Birger Jarl offer dancing until sunrise.

For a complete schedule of events – for students and everyone else – visit www.valborgiuppsala.se.