Credits: Erik Westberg
As autumn slowly comes to an end, the magic of Christmas begins. Christmas markets, Swedish traditions like the Feast of Saint Lucia, a festival honoring light, festive Christmas buffets and other culinary delights typically associated with the holiday season are ushered in. How about visiting Sweden to learn more about the culture, take the opportunity to do your Christmas shopping, and experience Christmas traditions firsthand?
Starting from the end of November when the nights draw in, the air turns crisp, frost and even snow return at these latitudes, the air is filled with the warmth of candle light and spicy scent. Advent candlesticks, adorned with seven branches, and brightly lit stars are placed in windows. Friends and family are invited round to drink glögg, spiced mulled wine with almonds and raisins. Glögg is mostly sold outside at the many Christmas markets that also offer local arts and crafts, jewelry, knitted gloves, culinary specialties, and home decorations. Many restaurants serve the famous Christmas buffet “julbord”, including specialties such as marinated herring, salmon, sausages, meatballs – of course, cooked ham marinated in mustard and much more.
Swedes love to sing and attend concerts, especially those organised in cities across the country. The most beloved of all celebrations during the Christmas season is Saint Lucia, Sankta Lucia, celebrated on December 13th. It can be attended at different places, such as the various churches in the cities or in the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm.
Every school and workplace across the country celebrate too with Saint Lucia appears singing Christmas carols while wearing a long white dress and a crown of candles on her head. A train of young children holding candles follow behind, also wearing white. She brings pepparkakor, ginger biscuits, as well as traditional saffron buns called lussekatter.
From north to south, here is a preview of Sweden´s most popular Christmas markets, located in both big cities and small villages: Click here to see the full list.
Mårbacka, Värmland
For those early birds who can’t wait for the Christmas season, mark your calendars from November 2nd to 5th the charming Christmas market at Mårbacka in Värmland takes place! The Christmas market at Mårbacka Minnesgård, Selma Lagerlöfs home, in Östra Ämtervik just outside Sunne is one of Sweden’s and Värmland’s most popular Christmas markets and annually showcases world-class handicrafts produced in-house. At Mårbacka’s Christmas market you also have the opportunity to buy Christmas delicacies directly from the exciting food exhibitors. https://visitvarmland.com/sunne/evenemang/jul-pa-marbacka
Open: 02 – 05 November 2023
Jamtli, Jämtland
This annual Christmas market in Östersund is held at Jamtli Museum widely known as Sweden’s Christmas Museum. At the Christmas Market at Jamtli you get a genuine experience while shopping for Christmas gifts and delicacies for the Christmas table. Experience over 200 Unique local craftsmen in handicrafts and food from Jämtland Härjedalen! The super-sized Advent Calendar with new surprises every day is worth a visit. https://www.jamtli.com/aktuellt/events/julmarknad-pa-jamtli/
Open: 8-10 December 2023. Friday 8 December 14-20, Saturday 9 December 11-18, Sunday 10 December 11-17
Skansen, Stockholm
The open-air museum Skansen, located in Stockholm’s Royal Djurgården (a national city park), is a major Swedish attraction. Experience a historic Christmas market, dating back to 1903. Here you can buy everything from handicrafts and design to sweets, homemade candles, and secret Christmas gifts. Skansen has something for everyone, from meeting the resident animals to participating in craft activities.
https://skansen.se/en/see-and-do/holidays-and-traditions/christmas/
Open: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 24 November until 17 December 2023, from 10:00 to 18:00.
Liseberg, Gothenburg
The Liseberg amusement park in the center of Gothenburg hosts the largest Christmas market in Sweden. The park is decorated with millions of twinkling lights and more than a thousand Christmas trees. As part of the Christmas experience, you can take part in the Swedish Christmas dinner “Julbord” – a buffet with many hot and cold dishes. The amusement park offers exciting rides and an ice-skating rink. https://www.liseberg.com/
Open: 18-19, 24-26 November and 1-3, 6-10, 13-23, 26-30 December 2023.
Medieval Christmas, Gotland
In December, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Visby is once again transformed into a medieval town – a wonderful occasion to visit Gotland. The Christmas atmosphere in a historical ambience, with concerts, shows, theaters, mulled wine and of course: the Christmas market awaits you in a medieval Christmas spectacle. Come expereince Christmas on Gotland.
Visby Christmas Market: 8 – 10 December 2023.
Huseby Bruk, Småland
The largest Christmas fair in the world is held in Huseby. Here you will find a wide variety of exhibitors – skilled craftsmen and exciting farm businesses with their own delicacies. Every evening, 500 marshals and 200 Christmas trees are lit, creating a fantastic and magical atmosphere. Santa Claus is present and there are fun activities for the whole family. https://husebyjul.se/
Open: 11-19 November 2023.
Swedish Winter Magic: Escapes for Every Adventurer´s Dream
Explore the diverse wonders of Sweden in winter. From the majestic peaks of the Kebnekaise Mountains to the snowy expanses of Lapland, northern Sweden offers a wide array of outdoor adventures. Ski touring, long-distance ice skating, moose safaris on horseback, or snowmobile expeditions – there’s something for everyone in this part of the world. Immerse yourself in untouched nature, witness captivating wildlife, and experience the magic of the North. Here are seven exciting winter activities waiting to be booked:
Kebnekaise Expedition, northern Sweden
Have you always dreamed of conquering Sweden’s highest mountain on touring skis? The 6-day guided tour in Sweden offers participants the opportunity to explore the high mountains and deep valleys while touring on skis. The tour starts from the Kebnekaise Mountain station and includes the experience of camping under the stars in remote tent locations, far away from marked trails, within a stunning winter landscape. Participants are required to have some ski touring experience to join the tour. Prices for this adventure start at SEK 9200. For those interested in learning more about this unique mountain experience, click here.
Long-Distance Skating in Hälsingland, Central Sweden
Hälsingland offers great conditions for long distance Ice skating both on frozen lakes and seas. Every Sunday between November and April Hudiksvalls Friluftsfrämjande offers guided tours on its fantastic ice rink in magnificent nature. After a long day of exploring Sweden’s nature on skates, you can relax down at Kungsholmen Restaurant or enjoy a cozy bonfire.
For more information click here.
Moose Safari on Horseback in Kiruna, northern Sweden
If you want to get close to the king of the Swedish forest on horseback, then this 5-hour tour is just right for you. On an Icelandic horse you will ride through the beautiful winter landscape and see moose in their natural environment. After this special experience you will return to the farm for lunch. The price of SEK 2395 (students SEK 1995) includes all necessary material, lunch and transfer. For more information, click here.
Storulvån – Ski Touring Course for Beginners, Northern Sweden
This is the tour for those who are completely new to ski touring and the Swedish winter mountains. It is a course but just as much an experience of the magnificence of the mountain, white expanses and silence. Join a 3-day expedition alongside a group of up to 16 others to discover the beauty of the mountains and immerse yourself in the world of ski touring. Experienced guides will impart essential ski touring techniques and provide foundational knowledge on mountain safety and other crucial aspects necessary for conducting independent tours in the future. The packed lunch and coffee taste extra good when you have skied a few kilometers. After wonderful days outdoors, you recover with a sauna and good food. For more information, click here.
Abisko – Nuolja Off-Piste Guide Service, Northern Sweden
If you are still hesitating to ski off-piste on your own, join the expert guides on an off-piste trip! The mountain Nuolja Offpist can be a challenge to read to find the best runs, as there are no prepared slopes. From February to April, you can join the experienced guides for a morning off-piste tour, you will get to know the mountain better, and can then use the tips you get to find the best snow and the most fun when skiing off pist. In the price of SEK 410 the Guide and Avalanche equipment is included. For more information click here.
4-Day Winter Adventure in Lapland, Northern Sweden
Interested in a full 4-day winter adventure program in Lapland that leaves nothing out? From reindeer sledding to Icelandic horse riding, learning about Sami culture, reindeer watching, and snowmobiling, it’s all included. Another highlight is a visit to the famous ICEHOTEL! The price is 11,950 SEK per person and covers all activities, full board and lodging, equipment, and transfers. If that has caught your interest, click here and look forward to four days of 100% Lapland experience.
Three-Day Snowmobile Trip in Lapland, Northern Sweden
This tour provides a chance to experience the beautiful winter landscape from a snowmobile. During the tour you will drive through the fantastic Lapland to the wilderness camp at a frozen lake. You will have the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural environment and enjoy the view of the snow-covered forests and frozen lakes End your days with a relaxing sauna bath at the wilderness camp. For more Information, click here.
More information on Sweden´s top winter activities can be found here:
https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/nature-outdoors/winter-activities/