Sunday, September 28 | 2025
If you are a Newbie in Sweden you may want to read up on Nobeldagen. It is a major annual event here and has been since 1901. Every year, recipients and their immediate families arrive in Stockholm during what is known as Nobel week, with events building up to the main awards ceremony which is always held on December 10th, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel.
This star-studded occasion is held in Stockholms impressive concert house with prizes being awarded in six categories. Given for intellectual achievement in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics these awards are handed out by non-other than the Swedish King Carl XIV Gustaf.
Over the years, there have been a staggering nine hundred and eighty-six Nobel prize laureates. Sixty-one went to women, two award winners declined the prize and four were forced by authorities to decline the prize. Three were under arrest at the time of the award. If facts and figures are your thing you can read up more on the Nobel prize official website.
The story of Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is the one who invented dynamite. He also had 355 different patents, worldwide to his name.
His exemplary achievements included the completion of the St. Gotthard Tunnel in the Swiss Alps in 1881 by the use of dynamite for the first time on a large scale. He died in San Remo, Italy, on 10 December 1896.
His will stated that his wealth of more than SEK 31 million should be used for Nobel Prizes. The executors of his wealth formed the Nobel Foundation which coordinates the work of the Prize-Awarding Institutions. The Nobel Foundations consist of:
- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awards the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
- The Swedish Academy awards the prize in Literature.
- The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee awards the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nobel Prize Award Ceremony
The winners are announced in October every year and then, in December, the award is celebrated in Stockholm and Oslo. The Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm always takes place at the Stockholm Concert Hall (Stockholms Konserthus) since 1926. His Majesty the King of Sweden awards the prizes in Stockholm. Each Laureate receives a diploma and a medal.
After the award ceremony, there is a formal dinner in Stockholms city hall and all of the events are televised. This is your opportunity to watch royalty, politicians and prize winners throughout the day. Televising this occasion also showcases our stunning capital city and its beautiful architecture putting Sweden on a world stage.
Did you know that Nobeldagen is what we call a flag day here in Sweden. The National flag is flown on all public flag poles and buildings as well as many public houses.
The Nobel Calling Stockholm
The Nobel Laureates are announced in October. This is a week to focus on the importance of research, science, literature, and peace.
The Nobel Prize Museum in collaboration with other organizations organizes various events during Nobel Calling Stockholm. The Museum has free admission from October 5-12 and is open from 11:00 to 17:00 pm. So this autumn, visit the museum and experience what it feels to be there.
