Christmas is fast approaching, and December offers plenty of wonderful atmosphere. In Sweden you will find everything from charming Christmas markets and classic Christmas tables to magical light shows and atmospheric concerts. It is the perfect time to enjoy everything that goes with the coziest holiday of the year!
Sweden in December is a special time. Thousands of Christmas lights illuminate cities and squares. Mulled wine-scented Christmas markets offer local crafts, Christmas decorations and delicacies. Atmospheric Lucia processions bring friends and family together. Well-stocked Christmas tables offer both traditional and new flavors. And magnificent Christmas concerts promise a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
Christmas markets
The Christmas spirit spreads across the country on the first day of Advent. Sparkling light decorations, colorful Christmas ornaments and festive shop windows light up the darkness as friends and family gather to light the first Advent candle. This is also the start of many of the country's Christmas markets, which attract both young and old to the country's farms, castles and squares.
Tips on popular Christmas markets
Old Town Christmas Market in Stockholm has its origins in the medieval markets and here visitors can shop for sweets, art forging and crafts while enjoying the historical atmosphere. Stockholm also has Skansen Christmas Market which dates back to 1903 and where the historic buildings are now illuminated by the annual festival of lights Winter Lights.
On Lisebergs Christmas market in Gothenburg allows visitors to experience a sparkling winter world filled with rides, market stalls and atmospheric tones from live music. Malmö offers a Christmas feeling with its charming Christmas market at Gustav Adolf Square, where even a fabulous Christmas lighting transforms the city into a wintry paradise. If you are in southern Sweden, you can head to Tjolöholm Castle, one of the world's largest Christmas markets where around 80 exhibitors offer food and crafts and Santa himself receives children's wish lists.
Further north in Östersund you will find Jamtli Christmas Market which offers sleigh rides and nearly 200 vendors selling local crafts and Christmas food. You will also find Falu Gruva Christmas Market located at the World Heritage Falu mine – one of the most popular Christmas markets in Dalarna and for many a given element of the Swedish Christmas celebration. In Old church town Just outside Luleå you will find the traditional Christmas market where sleigh rides, fairy tale walks and other activities for the whole family are offered.
For more tips on Swedish Christmas markets click HERE
Credits: © Nobel Prize Outreach, Les Ateliers BK Source
Nobel and Nobel Week Lights
On December 10th, it's time for the Nobel Prize ceremony, followed by a banquet where this year's Nobel Prize recipients are honored. Although the award ceremony is for invitation only, there is much else to see and experience in Stockholm during Nobel Week.
On Nobel Prize Museum in Gamla Stan you will learn about the history of the prize, past winners and Alfred Nobel himself. At Technical Museum on Djurgården you will gain insight into the laws of physics and important inventions. And if you want to taste the food offered at the banquet, you can head to the restaurant City Hall basement where you can order any Nobel menu you want.
In addition, this year you can also enjoy Nobel week lights, a light festival where buildings and squares in central Stockholm are illuminated by beautiful light installations inspired by this year's laureates and scientific achievements. The installations can also be seen as you glide along the water in akayak!
Lucia – a magical tradition
On December 13, Lucia lights up the winter darkness with lights and songs throughout Sweden. To take part in Lucia celebration For example, you can head to the country's churches and markets where both Swedish and international visitors gather to enjoy this unique celebration. Many cities also offer Lucia processions in parks and squares where sparkling snow can enhance the prevailing Christmas atmosphere. More details and times for Lucia celebrations can be found on local event calendars and here: Stockholm Gothenburg Malmo
Christmas concerts
Music has an extraordinary ability to set the tone and create atmosphere, not least when it comes to Christmas. From traditional choirs in historic churches to grand performances in modern concert halls, Christmas music is an essential part of December.
On Berwaldhallen Christmas Concert In Stockholm you can enjoy an atmospheric musical treat for the whole family. In Storkyrkan you can enjoy a concert with court singer Anne Sofie von Otter and at Oscarsteatern the concert is offered Christmas Eve where beloved classics meet new favorites. And if you love sing-alongs, you can head to Skansen on December 3. Then the Solliden stage will be transformed into a sparkling Christmas stage when Pernilla Wahlgren and guests sing into Christmas for the first time in a wintry edition of the program. Christmas – Sing-along at Skansen.
I Gothenburg For example, you can take the family to the concert Familjens Juljubel at Gothenburg Concert Hall – don't be surprised if you get to sing along yourself. And Malmö offers both Christmas music in Sofiero Slott and a variety of concerts in the concert hall to spread the warmth of Christmas.
According to the press release.
