The Swedish Lucia celebration is an annual festival of medieval origin, observed on the 13th of December. On this day, the darkness is brightened by Saint Lucia, a creature of goodness and light who opens the door to the Christmas season. Swedish singer Eva Engman treats children and their families to a special Lucia performance at Scandinavia House on December 3.The classic Swedish Christmas dinner (julbord) includes pickled herring, liver paté, sausages, meatballs, rye crisp bread, as well as special holiday items such as veal brawn, rice porridge, and Christmas ham. Marcus Samuelsson, the award-winning executive chef of Aquavit, presents a special holiday menu for both lunch and dinner seatings at Scandinavia House on December 10 and 11, 2005. The Swedish eatery Ulrika's on East 60th Street adds a classic Christmas platter to the menu from December 14 and serves a special Christmas spread, including gravlax, herring, ribs and meatballs on December 18 and 24. Good World Bar & Grill on the Lower East Side offers their version of the traditional meal on December 23, 24 and 25 from 5 pm or any day in December by reservation.The acclaimed Scandinavian Chamber Orchestra returns to Victor Borge Hall at Scandinavia House for a special concert celebrating the magic of Christmas on December 11, 2005, at 4 pm. The program will feature works by Grieg and Rangström as well as traditional holiday favorites. At 6:30 pm that same evening, composer Mika Pohjola presents Scandinavian Yuletide Voices at a Christmas concert at the Norwegian Seamen's Church on East 52nd Street. For holiday shoppers, a Christmas market will be held in the courtyard of the Good World Bar & Grill, featuring a variety of Nordic foods and gifts on December 3,4, 10 and 11. And throughout December, the Holiday Shop at Scandinavia House expands into the exhibition galleries to offer a huge selection of holiday products, from exclusive design items to traditional decorations and treats such as Christmas tree ornaments, tomte dolls, candles, cookies, candies, and chocolates.Image: Saint Lucia