You know that we here at Only in Kansas love the Sunflower State. (If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be so passionate about bringing you all of the hottest restaurants, must-visit towns, and hidden gems that you may not have known about otherwise.) That being said, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t tell you about this one extraordinary Kansas town and why you must check it out during this festive time of year:
“Välkommen till Lindsborg”: a small town with a rich history that was settled by a group of Swedish immigrants in 1869.
City of Lindsborg Government Facebook
Nearly a century and a half later, Lindsborg still pays homage to its Swedish roots through its European-inspired architecture, unique festivals, and authentic shops and restaurants.
Wikimedia Commons
(With all of that being said, it is no wonder Lindsborg was nicknamed “Little Sweden, U.S.A.”!)
Wikimedia Commons
While Lindsborg is a wonderful place to visit year round, this has to be our favorite time of year to take in all of its sights and sounds… Why? Well, for all of its cultural events of course, which include:
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Sandzen Holiday Gift Show (November - January)
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau If you are looking for handmade artisan gifts, this is the event for you! Nearly 35 vendors will be on site at the show selling colorful works of art, jewelry, quilts, sculptures, and more!
- Annandag Jul
Bethany Lutheran Church Facebook Who says that Christmas ends on the 25th? Annandag Jul (which translates to “another day of Christmas”) is an annual Swedish tradition that is celebrated on December 26th at 10 am at Lindsborg’s Bethany Lutheran Church.
- Jultide Concert at Bethany College
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau The annual Jultide Concert at Bethany College takes place on the first Sunday of each December.
- Old Fashioned Christmas
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau Taking place on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays in December, this Old Fashioned Christmas features concerts, crafts, and refreshments at the McPherson County Old Mill Museum.
- St. Lucia Festival
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau As per the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, “According to legend, the story of Lucia came to Scandinavia when Sweden was in the midst of a famine. In the midst of that winter, Lucia steered a ship shining with light and filled with food came across the waters of Lake Vännern in the province of Värmland. Thus, the people of Sweden were saved from starvation.
Therefore, to honor Lucia, whose name is derived from lux meaning light, the eldest daughter of Swedish families awakens early on December 13th to serve saffron buns, ginger cookies and coffee to her family. She wears a white gown with a red sash and a crown of lingonberry branches with seven lit candles. The green and light represent new life during the Winter Solstice.
A favorite Swedish holiday tradition, also observed in Lindsborg, is the St. Lucia Festival celebrating the figure who is the emblem of light on a long winter day. Lindsborg honors Lucia on the second weekend in December. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with live holiday music downtown. A processional of girls in white carrying candles and stjärngosse (star boys) lead the crowd to the Bethany Lutheran Church where the annual St. Lucia is crowned. The new Lucia goes among the crowd serving ginger cookies and coffee.”
- Julotta
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau Last but certainly not least in terms of Christmastime events is Julotta; an early morning Christmas church service held at both Bethany Lutheran Church and Evangelical Covenant Church.
To learn even more about Lindsborg, check out Why Everyone In Kansas Should Visit This One Tiny Town.
City of Lindsborg Government Facebook
Wikimedia Commons
Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau
If you are looking for handmade artisan gifts, this is the event for you! Nearly 35 vendors will be on site at the show selling colorful works of art, jewelry, quilts, sculptures, and more!
Bethany Lutheran Church Facebook
Who says that Christmas ends on the 25th? Annandag Jul (which translates to “another day of Christmas”) is an annual Swedish tradition that is celebrated on December 26th at 10 am at Lindsborg’s Bethany Lutheran Church.
The annual Jultide Concert at Bethany College takes place on the first Sunday of each December.
Taking place on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays in December, this Old Fashioned Christmas features concerts, crafts, and refreshments at the McPherson County Old Mill Museum.
As per the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, “According to legend, the story of Lucia came to Scandinavia when Sweden was in the midst of a famine. In the midst of that winter, Lucia steered a ship shining with light and filled with food came across the waters of Lake Vännern in the province of Värmland. Thus, the people of Sweden were saved from starvation.
Therefore, to honor Lucia, whose name is derived from lux meaning light, the eldest daughter of Swedish families awakens early on December 13th to serve saffron buns, ginger cookies and coffee to her family. She wears a white gown with a red sash and a crown of lingonberry branches with seven lit candles. The green and light represent new life during the Winter Solstice.
A favorite Swedish holiday tradition, also observed in Lindsborg, is the St. Lucia Festival celebrating the figure who is the emblem of light on a long winter day. Lindsborg honors Lucia on the second weekend in December. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with live holiday music downtown. A processional of girls in white carrying candles and stjärngosse (star boys) lead the crowd to the Bethany Lutheran Church where the annual St. Lucia is crowned. The new Lucia goes among the crowd serving ginger cookies and coffee.”
Last but certainly not least in terms of Christmastime events is Julotta; an early morning Christmas church service held at both Bethany Lutheran Church and Evangelical Covenant Church.
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