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.
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
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
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
Visiting Stockholm in the winter months, you’ll notice something interesting: the city leans into its short days, long nights, and cold weather. From mid-november the city switches on the Christmas lights and the streets feel cozy. From there it’s just under a month to Lucia on December 13 (a candlelit tradition with choirs and saffron … Read more
Every November, Stockholm lights up with elaborate Christmas displays, turning the Swedish capital into an atmospheric winter destination. Streets and squares turn into open-air galleries of decorations, sculptures and light installations. When you walk the streets this time of year, look up at the windows of residential buildings. You will see glowing Christmas stars, Advent … Read more
Stortorget in Gamla Stan is Stockholm’s oldest and most famous Christmas market, held on the Old Town’s main square since 1837. It’s far from the only one. From mid-November until December 23, markets pop up in royal stables, design-school greenhouses, neighborhood squares and castle courtyards in and around the city. Below you’ll find our picks, … Read more
Sweden’s Christmas feast is built around the julbord. It’s a buffet-style meal that families serve on Christmas Eve and many restaurants offer throughout December. You eat it in rounds with a fresh plate each time. Start with herring, move on to other fish, then cold cuts, hot dishes, and finally desserts and sweets. It’s simple … Read more
Trying a Julbord (Swedish Christmas buffet) is one of the most festive ways to experience Swedish culture in December. From traditional buffets filled with herring, salmon, ham, and meatballs to more modern or international twists, many restaurants in Stockholm put their own spin on the Christmas buffet. Whether you’re looking for a classic setting or … Read more
