Christmas is a much-anticipated celebration in Sweden, matched only by the arrival of Saint Lucia, an iconic figure of the Scandinavian winter festivities. Starting in late November, Christmas markets pop up throughout Sweden’s main cities and their surroundings.
As Christmas approaches, Sweden glows with festive lights. The dark winter is illuminated by thousands of Advent candleholders on windowsills, sparkling street decorations, and traditional markets.
Restaurants lay out tempting buffets, and everyone warms up with a glass of Swedish glögg—mulled wine with raisins and almonds—a real treat when it’s cold outside. When it snows, Sweden transforms with a magical wintry glow.
From late November, the first Christmas markets open their doors, brimming with handicrafts, candles, and traditional treats like “saffransbullar” (saffron buns) and “pepparkakor” (ginger, cinnamon, and clove cookies).
Stockholm Christmas Markets
The Stockholm Christmas markets are many and diverse. The famed market in the Old Town on Stortorget Square may be small, but its fairy-tale atmosphere is unmatched. There’s also a traditional market at the Royal Stables (Hovstallet), overflowing with local goods—handmade candles, sheepskin clothing, and regional foods.
Foodies can sample smoked fish and Swedish pastries. More stalls and festive fun wait at the Christmas market in Kungsträdgården Park and at the open-air museum Skansen. Venture beyond Stockholm and you’ll find Christmas markets in Drottningholm and on Sandhamn Island.
All around Stockholm, Christmas markets create a festive spirit. The best-known is Stortorget Square in the Old Town, especially atmospheric after dusk and open daily from November 24 to December 24. Gröna Lund’s Tivoli transforms its dance floor into an ice rink, with rides and entertainment for all ages.
Across from Gröna Lund is Skansen, hosting a traditional Christmas bazaar during the first three weekends of December, with Seglora church concerts. Kungsträdgården, in the city center, boasts plenty of festive stalls. Södermalm Island’s Street Market near Hornstull Metro features design objects and artisanal crafts. With an extra day, consider a trip to scenic Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town just 45 minutes north of Stockholm or 15 from the airport—all decked out for Christmas.
Celebrate Swedish Christmas flavors at traditional buffets: herring, salmon, meatballs with lingonberry sauce, potato and anchovy gratin, oven-baked ham with mustard. Some of the best places to try these are at the Veranda at the Grand Hotel, värdshuset Ulriksdal near Ulriksdal Castle, the Town Hall restaurant, Solliden at Skansen, or even aboard riverboats.
Each winter, Stockholm sets up a large skating rink in Kungsträdgården. Don’t have skates? No problem, you can rent them on the spot.
Christmas Markets in Gothenburg
The first major Christmas bazaar (from November 16) opens at Göteborg in the enchanting Liseberg Amusement Park, Scandinavia’s largest. Here you’ll find over 80 stalls selling Christmas goods, candles, Swedish specialties, reindeer leather, and more. Try out the ice rink, enjoy rides for kids, sample Christmas buffets, and soak up the music and carols.
The Gothenburg Christmas markets include not only classic stalls but also bazaars like the one in Kronhuset, the city’s oldest building.
Sweden’s most famous Christmas market is at Liseberg Park in Goteborg, known for both its size and its dazzling lights—five million create the Avenue of Light all the way to New Year’s. Along the 3.5 km of wooden huts, browse reindeer leather goods, Swedish crafts, candles, and plenty of food; warm up at the ice bar.
About 40 km from Goteborg, discover another festive Christmas market at Thorskog Castle, straight out of a storybook.
Gothenburg’s holiday magic stretches from Liseberg to Avenyn, the main street dotted with shops and restaurants, shining with lights from December 7, and even an outdoor ice rink. The historic Haga district hosts 60–70 stalls, while some 40 more can be found in the Nordstan mall, open daily from mid-November through December.
Meanwhile, the Christmas markets in Malmo are easy to spot thanks to the glowing decorations around the city’s big tree in Gustav Adolfs torg Square—the most famous market is right here, with its iconic red stalls.
For two special days, even Katrinetorp Manor celebrates Christmas, with dances and singing around the tree.
Christmas Markets in Malmö
Malmo, just across from Copenhagen, is an easy train ride from Denmark’s capital or its airport. The big Christmas tree in Gustav Adolfs torg is ceremoniously lit and the city hosts a month packed with festive events. Several Christmas markets pop up, especially next to Gustav Adolfs torg, where visitors can buy handmade crafts and local delicacies, including hot dishes to enjoy on the spot.
On December 8–9, the charming Christmas market at Katrinetorp Manor offers traditional crafts, foodie treats, antiques, Christmas choirs, and horse-drawn carriage rides—plus the manor’s excellent restaurant. That same weekend, head to the Koggmuseet for medieval festivities aboard replica merchant ships (including the world’s largest), with plenty of activities for kids and families.
There are also outdoor rinks in Malmo, especially the one on Stortorget Square, open from November through February.
If you love shopping, all three cities offer a fantastic range for every budget! If you visit after Christmas, the deals get even better: Sweden’s winter sales start December 26 and run to mid-January.
Saint Lucia Festival
The most beloved pre-Christmas tradition across Sweden is the Saint Lucia festival, celebrated on December 13 in a uniquely Swedish way. At home, school, or work, a girl is chosen to represent Saint Lucia, dressed in a long white gown with a red sash and a wreath of candles and lingonberry leaves upon her head. Processions wind through the country, often with dozens of girls (and sometimes boys) in white, singing Christmas carols and songs about the return of light.
In Stockholm, anyone can join the festivities at the open-air museum Skansen, with the Lucia coronation on December 2 and, on the 13th at 6 pm, Lucia and her handmaidens ride in by carriage to join the choir for a traditional concert. Concerts are also held in churches throughout the city, morning and evening on the 13th, or for a spectacular alternative, the Globen arena hosts a 1,200-strong choir on December 15–16.
Malmo’s Saint Lucia is crowned on November 25, and on December 13, she parades through the city with her entourage, singing from the governor’s balcony at 5:30 pm. In Göteborg, Lucia’s coronation takes place on December 12 at Liseberg, followed by concerts in the Vasa church on the 12th and 13th, plus more performances around the city on the 13th.
