The iconic Christmas goat in Gävle was blown over during Saturday afternoon due to the powerful storm Johannes. No one was injured in the incident. It remains unclear if the goat will be raised again before winter ends.
The famous straw goat in Gävle, a tradition since 1966, collapsed suddenly during the afternoon of December 27, 2025. Storm Johannes, which swept into the city with strong winds, caused the goat's legs to buckle, leaving it slumped within its enclosed area on Rådhusesplanaden. Curious onlookers gathered at the landmark to witness the unfortunate fate.
Municipal councilor Åsa Wiklund Lång (S) commented to Gefle Dagblad: 'We need to see what can be done and what we should do if anything.' Another councilor has inspected the goat, but no decisions on next steps have been made yet. On the Gävle Goat's Instagram, run by Visit Gävle, a message from the goat's perspective was posted: 'Unfortunately, I have fallen and met my fate – I apologize for my sudden end.'
The municipality's Facebook page confirmed: 'The Gävle Goat has fallen and met its fate. No one was injured. We regret the sudden end and thank the Gävle Goat, residents, and visitors for all the love and warmth this year!'
The goat has stood in its current location since 2022, but the tradition has been marked by annual attacks. In 2023, birds ate the straw, and it was last burned in 2021. In 1976, it was destroyed by a muscle car. Out of the 60 years it has been erected, it has only survived more or less unscathed in 20 instances. Storm Johannes has also hit Sweden with snow and gale-force winds, contributing to the chaos in Gävle.
