Kelly Gale, Joel Kinnaman, Dolph Lundren, Eddie Mitsou! See how LA’s Swedish stars celebrated Lucia 2025

In a candlelit courtyard in Los Angeles, St Lucia's Day 2026 was celebrated by Swedish stars – and many Vogue Scandinavia alumni – who gathered for a night steeped in style and Scandinaivan heritage

For the third year running, Los Angeles’s Swedish style set – with many Vogue Scandinavia alumni [Kelly Gale] in their midst – descended on the design-driven Cara Hotel for a distinctly chic take on the beloved Scandinavian holiday tradition.

Presented by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce and produced by Second Home PR, the evening opened in suitably theatrical style. Guests slipped through a candlelit courtyard and into a scene set by toy soldiers and snow angels on stilts – a Swedish family troupe whose résumé includes private performances for Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor – and places set with Vogue Scandinavia's newly released December-January issue. This year’s Lucia, writer-model-filmmaker Eddie Mitsou, offered a modern riff on tradition wearing a fluid ivory gown, luminous Idun Minerals make-up, silver Shepherd of Sweden boots and, crowning it all, a velvet headpiece threaded with deep burgundy candles.

This year’s Lucia was writer-model-filmmaker Eddie Mitsou.

Performances from the Swedish Church’s Santa Monica Choir and an operatic turn by Nicholas Hylander set the tone before dinner. The guest list drew together familiar names with Swedish roots from across creative spheres: Kelly Gale, who introduced her skincare line Chandra Beauti with husband Joel Kinnaman in tow, author and podcaster Sigge Eklund, Hollywood trainer Magnus Lygdbäck, and photographer Daniella Midenge.

Vogue Scandinavia alum Dolph Lundgren was also in attendance with daughters Ida and Greta – soon to appear alongside him in the upcoming SVT series Dolph and the Lundgrens. Later, he took up an entirely different role, hosting the after-party and pouring measures of his new vodka, Hard Cut, even stepping behind the bar to pour for guests himself.

“Lucia has always been something we celebrate in schools back home,” said Caroline Thunstedt, CEO of Idun Minerals. “But in Los Angeles the tradition takes on a new life. It becomes a way for Nordic brands to stand out in a beautiful context.”

See all the photos from the evening below.