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Christmas display at Tehuset Java on Odengatan with glass cups, a decorative deer head and striped ornaments

Swedish Christmas gifts we buy in Stockholm 2026, and where to find them

Christmas tea from Tehuset Java, straw goats, paper Advent stars and jars of mustard from the Royal Stables market: these are the Swedish Christmas gifts we buy every year in Stockholm. Here is where to find them, with the 2026 dates and opening hours to plan around.
Konserthuset at Hötorget lit with fairy lights on its columns for Nobel Week Lights, bronze statue in front

Things to do in Stockholm in December (2026): 15 local tips

December is the darkest month of the year in Stockholm. The sun sets before 3 pm, but the evenings are full of light. From mid-November, the city’s Christmas lights cover more than 50 streets and squares in the centre, and in early December, Nobel Week Lights adds free light art installations. Add the Christmas markets, … Read more
Shelves of bagged Swedish sweets including Ahlgrens bilar, Daim, M&M's, Oreo and Polly

Swedish candy: what to try when visiting Stockholm

Swedes eat around 17 to 18 kilos of candy per person each year, and it shows. Walk into almost any supermarket and you will likely find an entire wall of pick-and-mix candy, with everything from chocolate and sour gummies to foam sweets and intensely salty licorice. Some of it will look familiar. Some of it … Read more
Chalkboard sign advertising traditional polkagris outside Polkagris Kokeri on a cobbled Gamla stan street

Where to find the best candy in Stockholm 2026

Swedes eat close to 15 kg of candy per person a year, and Stockholm has the shops to match. Whether you are visiting for the first time or a local looking for new spots, you will find everything from supermarket candy walls to shops that make their own chocolate. A big part of the local … Read more
Choir performs on stage under fairy lights and red canopy at a Skansen New Year's celebration

New Year in Stockholm: how to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026/2027

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, fireworks go up from streets and parks all over Stockholm, and from the hills of Södermalm you can watch them burst over the water in several directions at once. You can book a special dinner, join a party, celebrate at Skansen, take a cruise, or simply head to one … Read more
A 'God Jul' flag with Santa's face hangs at a wooden stall at the Gamla Stan Christmas market

Christmas in Stockholm: What to do and what’s open, Dec 24–26

Christmas Eve, December 24, is the main day of celebration in Sweden. Most Stockholmers spend it at home, and by mid-afternoon the city center is close to empty. Some museums stay open, the Christmas lights stay on, and by December 26 most of the city is back to normal. This guide covers what each of … Read more
Rörstrand 'Mon Amie' mugs, bowls and plates in a blue floral pattern displayed on shop shelves

Best places to shop for Swedish design in Stockholm

If you’re hunting for the best of Swedish design in Stockholm, you’re choosing between two worlds. On one side is the classic, storied grandeur of Östermalm. On the other is the creative, experimental spirit of Södermalm. Which district you prioritize depends on what you’re after. Do you want a legacy piece built to last a … Read more
A traditional Swedish Lucia procession featuring a choir of white-robed singers holding candles and wearing crowns of lights, performing in an indoor setting.

Guide to Lucia concerts in Stockholm 2026

For a Lucia concert in Stockholm, book Storkyrkan’s Möt Lucia series (December 6–13) or a neighborhood church such as Oscarskyrkan, or go to Skansen, where Lucia is included in admission. Popular concerts sell out weeks ahead, so book now if you can. Lucia is celebrated on December 13, but concerts run through the first half … Read more
A giant lit jack-o'-lantern atop a ride at Gröna Lund's Halloween event, framed by autumn leaves

The Complete Guide to Halloween in Stockholm 2026

As the autumn leaves turn gold and the days grow shorter, Stockholm undergoes a haunting transformation. While Sweden is famous for its quiet, respectful traditions surrounding All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag), the city has also embraced the thrill-seeking side of Halloween with surprising enthusiasm. Whether you are looking for heart-pounding rollercoasters, historical ghost tours, … Read more
Skansen autumn fair

Autumn markets in Stockholm 2026

During September, Stockholm slowly pivots from summer to autumn. The air turns crisp, the trees begin to turn, and the summer crowds are finally dwindling. The archipelago boats shift to a less frequent autumn timetable, the light goldens earlier in the evening, and the city’s parks and gardens begin to yield their final harvest. If … Read more
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