Gävle Goat

Q: In what country would you see the “Gävle Goat”?

A: Sweden

The Gävle Goat: Sweden’s Famous Christmas Tradition (and Mischievous Target!)

Every year since 1966, the Swedish city of Gävle constructs a gigantic straw goat, known as the Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken), to celebrate the Christmas season. This festive figure, often towering over 40 feet tall, pays homage to the traditional Swedish Yule Goat, a symbol of the holiday spirit and a nod to ancient Nordic customs.

However, what started as a cheerful display quickly became infamous for a very different reason — vandalism. Almost as soon as the first goat was erected, it was burned down by pranksters. In fact, despite increased security, fencing, and even fireproofing attempts, the Gävle Goat has been destroyed over 30 times! The yearly suspense over whether it will survive until Christmas has become a quirky part of its legacy, with people worldwide following its fate.

In recent years, the Gävle Goat’s creators have stepped up their efforts to protect it, employing guards, cameras, and even a GPS tracker. Nonetheless, the question remains: Will the Gävle Goat make it through the holiday season intact? Whether it stands tall or goes up in flames, this unique tradition brings a bit of drama and excitement to the festive season in Gävle.

You can follow its progress (or demise) in real-time via the Gävle Goat’s official social media channels, where updates keep fans on edge until the new year.