3rd Annual St. Lucia celebration Swedish holiday buffet | Events

WEST CHESTER, OH (FOX19) – This Friday at 6:30pm, IKEA West Chester will host its third annual St. Lucia, a traditional Swedish holiday celebration. Children from “Swedes In Greater Cincinnati” will go caroling throughout the store wearing St. Lucia costumes. Afterwards, they will treat visitors to Swedish holiday songs in the restaurant. The adult choir from “Swedes In Greater Cincinnati” will also sing.

The St. Lucia celebration is part of IKEA’s $9.99 all-you-can-eat Yulebord from 4-8:30pm. Yulebord is a special type of smorgasbord which is the standard Christmas dinner in Scandinavian countries. At IKEA you can have any item you want, when you want it, and then go back for more. Kids under 12 eat for $2.49.

The tradition of St. Lucia dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. "Saint Lucia" appears on December 13, wearing a white, full-length chemise, with a red ribbon around her waist and a wreath of lingonberry sprigs on her head. The wreath carries candle-shaped lights to give the effect of a halo. Lucia is followed by a choir of "star boys", who sing a repertoire of Christmas songs.

Swedish Christmas Julbord menu:

Assorted Herring

Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce

Smoked Salmon w/Horseradish Sauce

Whole Poached Salmon

Hard boiled Eggs with Shrimp

Swedish Cucumber Salad

Red Beet Salad

Swedish Potato Salad

Christmas Ham

Liverwurst Pate

Assorted Cheeses

Meatballs and Lingonberries

Prinskorv Sausage

Red Cabbage

Boiled Potatoes with Dill

Jansson’s Temptation

Lussekatter

Crispbread, Thin bread, Dinner rolls

Swedish Rice Pudding with Almonds

Assorted Desserts

Glogg (cider drink) Coffee, Tea, Fountain Beverage