The warm evenings are slowly fading, and across Sweden, a cherished tradition returns with a joyful clatter of claws and clinking snaps glasses kräftsäsongen, the crayfish season, is finally here!

For Swedes around the world, this late-summer celebration is more than just a meal it’s a full-sensory experience filled with songs, laughter, silly hats, and of course, those delicious dill-cooked crayfish. And this year, Swedishness is proud to offer something truly special: crayfish from Marcuskräftan, one of Sweden’s most trusted and traditional producers.

Whether you’re throwing a full-on kräftskiva with friends or simply enjoying a nostalgic taste of home, we’ve got everything you need to join in wherever you are in the world.

🐟 Who is Marcus Kräftan And Why His Crayfish Are So Popular

If you’ve ordered crayfish from us before, you’ll likely recognise the name: Marcus Kräftan from Väderstad. Marcus is a dedicated small-scale producer located in the heart of Östergötland, known for crafting some of the finest Swedish crayfish available. He sources high-quality freshwater crayfish and prepares them using a traditional dill brine, a time-honoured method that brings out their rich, savoury flavour.

For three generations, the Crayfish has been boiled to perfection according to Grandma Karin's secret recipe. A harmony of salt and dill cooked with high precision according to the rules of ancient art. The result is a taste experience beyond the ordinary! The ingredients are carefully inspected using proven methods to ensure that each crayfish tastes exquisite.

The crayfish are caught by professional fishermen and private landowners around Lake Vättern and Lake Boren. Each supplier shares our vision of emotion and quality and therefore carries out a meticulous selection process to ensure that your crabs are as delicious as possible.The result? Crayfish that are firm, aromatic, and full of flavour, perfect for anything from a quiet evening treat to a full-blown kräftskiva celebration.

Because of Marcus’s artisanal approach and limited production, we only receive a small batch each year — and they always sell out fast.

🎉 What Is a Kräftskiva? A Beloved Swedish Tradition

If you’re new to this uniquely Swedish phenomenon, you might be wondering what is a kräftskiva?

A kräftskiva (crayfish party) is a traditional Swedish celebration that takes place in late July and throughout August, usually outdoors, and often as a festive farewell to summer. The tradition dates back to the early 1900s, when crayfish fishing was strictly seasonal, and the country embraced the short window with gusto.

Here’s what a classic kräftskiva looks like:

A long table under the open sky, decorated with colourful paper lanterns and red-and-yellow crayfish-themed napkins.

Guests wearing silly paper hats and bibs (because eating crayfish is gloriously messy).

Cold crayfish served with fresh dill, Västerbotten cheese pie, crispbread, butter, and schnapps.

Lots of singing traditional Swedish drinking songs (snapsvisor) between every sip.

A festive, slightly chaotic, joyfully nostalgic atmosphere that feels like a warm hug from home.

It’s fun, it's messy, and it's one of the most cherished parts of Swedish culinary culture.

🦞 5 Fun & Little-Known Facts About Swedish Crayfish Season

1. 🇸🇪 Crayfish Parties Were Once Reserved for the Aristocracy
Before the 1900s, eating crayfish was a luxury reserved for the upper class in Sweden. Crayfish were considered a delicacy, often served at lavish banquets and aristocratic summer parties. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th century — when conservation laws restricted crayfish fishing to a short window in August — that the kräftskiva as we know it emerged as a public celebration.


2. 🔥 Crown Dill Is the Secret Star of the Show
One of the most iconic ingredients in Swedish crayfish brine is not regular dill, but “krondill” — crown dill, the flowering tops of the dill plant. This gives the crayfish their unique aroma and flavour. It’s so essential that some Swedes freeze crown dill from midsummer just to have it ready for August!


3. 🎶 You’re Expected to Sing Before Every Snaps Shot
At a real kräftskiva, you don’t just drink — you sing first! Snapsvisor (drinking songs) are a quirky and joyful tradition, and the most famous one is “Helan Går”. Even if your singing is off-key, it's part of the fun. The rule? No song, no snaps.

4. 😋 Swedes Eat the Butter – Literally
Experienced crayfish eaters know there's more to enjoy than just the tail. The real flavour bomb is the crayfish butter, the yellow-orange fatty substance found inside the head. Swedes will suck it out or scoop it onto crispbread with cheese. It’s not for everyone, but for purists, it’s a must.


5. 🕷️ The Crayfish Plague Nearly Wiped Them Out
In the early 20th century, a deadly fungus-like disease called the crayfish plague (caused by Aphanomyces astaci) nearly wiped out Sweden’s native signal crayfish. To preserve the tradition, the more resistant American red swamp crayfish (flodkräfta) were introduced — and are now a common part of the crayfish you’ll find in shops today.

🧄 A Classic Serving Tip

Swedish crayfish are typically freshwater crayfish, traditionally caught in lakes and rivers during a short season starting in early August. What makes them so iconic aside from the kräftskiva parties is the way they’re prepared: cooked with loads of crown dill, salt, and sugar, then allowed to steep in that brine for at least 24 hours to soak up every bit of flavour.

Here’s a classic serving tip:
Always serve crayfish ice cold, straight from the brine. Set them out in a large bowl or platter, add extra dill for decoration, and provide lots of napkins, finger bowls, and crackers with Västerbotten cheese. It’s messy, yes but that’s half the fun.

🇸🇪 Bringing Sweden to You

At Swedishness, we believe that traditions matter especially when you're far from home. Whether it’s Midsummer, Lucia, or a spontaneous fika, these cultural rituals connect us to our roots and to each other.

Crayfish season is no exception.

That’s why we’re passionate about making it easy, fun, and meaningful delivering not just food, but a full experience. From the first bite of briny crayfish to the last joyful Skål, we’re here to help you bring the best of Sweden into your home.

So gather your friends, hang those lanterns, pour the snaps, and get ready to sing your heart out.

Because kräftsäsongen 2025 is here and it’s going to be delicious.