Planning your Christmas holidays in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, isn’t too early—now is the perfect time to find a cheap flight to Stockholm and dedicate your budget to experiencing the city.
The city’s Christmas markets are numerous, but they’re not the only festive attractions this season.
You’ll find gingerbread boats, live advent calendars, Christmas buffets to join, and the opportunity for winter cruises along the waterways.
Spending Christmas in Stockholm means surrounding yourself with magical atmospheres—especially since the sun hardly rises at this time of year. With the city enveloped in darkness, shops, homes, and hotels light up with twinkling lights or candles to banish the night.
So, what should you do at Christmas in Stockholm?
Christmas markets in Stockholm
Traditionally, Skansen is a must for lovers of classic Christmas markets. This open-air museum lets you make your own candles, bake bread, and watch skilled artisans at work. For a royal twist, head for the Christmas markets in the Old Town (Gamla Stan), home to the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet).
At Stureplan, you can shop for luxury gifts and admire spectacular light displays. Don’t miss the festive window decorations at Stockholm’s most glamorous department store, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet) on Hamngatan. Visit on December 13 and you’ll be able to attend one of the St. Lucia concerts held in most churches. Take a break at the Kungsträdgården Christmas market in the heart of the shopping district, or go for a spin on the ice rink. Try pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies) dipped in warm glögg (spiced mulled wine), or treat yourself to a lussekatt (saffron bun), the quintessential Swedish Christmas treat, during a fika—a traditional Swedish coffee break.
The best and most interesting Christmas markets in Stockholm can be found mainly in the city center:
- Stortorget Square in the Old Town
- the open-air museum Skansen
- Kungsträdgården
- at the historic royal stables Hovstallet
- and the Rosendal garden.
For something a little different, check out the market organized by the Konstfack and Beckmans design academies, where you’ll find unique, creative pieces—perfect for decorating your home or Christmas tree in an original way.
Alternative Christmas experiences
Looking for alternative ideas? Christmas in Stockholm is big on tradition, but there’s always space for quirky and unique moments. At Nybrokajen, for example, you’ll discover a gingerbread boat moored along the quay all December, selling sweets, cookies, and candies. Here, you can sample classic Swedish Christmas pastries in a truly unusual setting—where else would you find confectionery sold on a boat made entirely of gingerbread?
The city is wrapped in a magical, poetic Christmas vibe, making now an especially great time to visit Stockholm. Just remember: warm scarves, hats, sweaters, and coats are a must.
Stockholm’s julbord
At Christmas, enjoy a traditional julbord (Christmas buffet) in some of Stockholm’s top restaurants. Two venues are famous for their exclusive atmosphere: the grand Operakällaren, on the ground floor of the Royal Opera House, and the renowned Grand Hôtel, a haunt for celebrities and Stockholm’s well-to-do.
If you’re up for an adventure, catch a ferry to the Fjäderholmarna islands—beloved by locals—and savor a julbord at Fjäderholmarnas Krog, with views of the archipelago twinkling against city lights. Pure magic. You can also book a Christmas buffet cruise for a unique dining experience afloat.
From late October, flight connections to Stockholm increase—SAS, for example, launches new departures from Milan Malpensa at budget-friendly prices.
If all the Christmas cheer ever becomes too much, there’s always a great alternative: explore the Millennium Tour, visiting locations from the bestselling trilogy by the late author Stieg Larsson.
