After an incredibly stressful journey to Stockholm, the next morning, when I awoke refreshed and excited, my friends and I all headed out to see my first European Christmas Market! There was so much to see and do, I was almost overwhelmed with all the different treats to sample, and charming Christmas souvenirs to bring home. So I wanted to create this guide to help you navigate all the various Christmas Markets to be found in Stockholm, the best things to buy while you’re there and, most importantly, what you need to EAT!

Stockholm’s Best Chrismtas Markets

1. Stortorget Julmarknad
2. Skansen Christmas Market
3. Christmas Market at Drottningholm
4. The Christmas Market at the Royal Stables
5. Bondens egen Marknad Östermalm
6. Konstfack Christmas Market
7. Christmas at Rosendals Trädgårdard
8. Christmas Market at Färgfabriken
9. Skeppsholmsgården's Christmas market
10. Schysst Jul
11. What to Eat & Drink
12. What to Buy

Stortorget Julmarknad

Located in the heart of Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan is the Stortorget Julmarknad. The Stortorget Julmarket is Sweden’s oldest Christmas market. Since this market feels like the original, I highly recommend you make it your first stop. It is by no means the largest, but there is something about its more modest size that makes it all the more appealing.

History

Farmer’s markets in Stortorget have been going on here since the 1300s, but the first Swedish Christmas market took place here in 1523. Back then there was only one Christmas market and its location would move around the city over the years. It wasn’t until 1837 that its place of permanence was established here, in Stortorget.

In 1915 the King of Sweden stipulated that only Swedish goods could be sold at this market, a tradition which the guild of markets still ensures is followed to this day. During the early days of the Stortorget Christmas market, you’d find tinsmiths, bookbinders, brush makers, glove and hat sellers, coppersmiths, pewter casters and jewellers. There was also a large swath of farmers who would travel long distances to sell their goods and produce here at the market. Despite the years going by and more modern production practices, many of the original items sold at the ancient market can still be found here today. Especially when it comes to food! The same 40 red wooden painted stalls pile themselves into the crowded square every year.

In the center of the red timber huts is the enormous Christmas tree. As far back as the 15th-century homes in Germany and Switzerland used spruce trees to decorate for Christmas. But it took a while for the trend to make its way to Stockholm. It wasn’t until 1920 that the first Christmas tree was raised here in Stortorget. But ever since, this beautiful tree has been a beacon for the market at the town square.

Open November 19th – 23 December 23rd 2022 | 11 am and 6 pm

Skansen Christmas Market

Skansen is an open-air museum located in Stockholm, that depicts the Swedish way of life before the industrial era. It’s like stepping into a giant time machine. And at Christmas, entering the park is like walking into a Scandinavian fairy tale. Throughout the holiday season, Skansen is home to a variety of demonstrations depicting traditional Swedish Christmas celebrations.

Christmas Activities

Try making your own Swedish ornaments, tour the historical houses and farmsteads decorated for the holidays and listen to musicians playing tunes inside. Go inside and talk with the housewives about what they fill their Christmas table for dinner with. And dance around the Christmas tree at Bollnäs Square!

Christmas Market

But the best part of the park is the old-fashioned Christmas Market. You’ll find dozens and dozens of stalls in the center of the park, surrounded by outdoor bonfires to keep you warm.  If you’re hungry, you can sample their famous pancakes, classic reindeer sausages, Christmas cheese, crispbread and Skansen’s handmade mustard. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try the sugared almonds, honey, marzipan, saffron buns, pepparkakor (gingersnaps), homemade jams and marmalades, penny candy, and more!

Don’t forget to grab yourself a glass of Glögg, and Skansen’s specialty; Saffron Glögg. Suppose you’re looking for a little Christmas souvenir? In that case, there are hundreds of handicrafts, Christmas decorations, embroidery, hand-knitted mittens, and the iconic Swedish advent candles. 

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 26th December 19th

Christmas Market at Drottningholm

Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish Royal family. It is located in Drottningholm, 40-minutes from the center of Stockholm. Although the Drottningholm Christmas Market is only open for two days in December, if you happen to be visiting Sweden during this time, it’s worth the effort to try and head down. The Christmas market is traditionally held in the palace grounds on the second weekend of Advent.

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The Palace

During the winter, you can also tour the castle and see how Christmas celebrations took place in the 18th century! See how they kept the castle warm with no electricity, how candles were used to decorate the Christmas tree and even how the royals played games, put on theatre shows and spent their free time during the holidays. There is something so unique and regal about being invited to celebrate Christmas inside the royal palace. Talk to the various period actors throughout the castle, including skilled blacksmiths, candlemakers, straw weavers, and textile producers and see how Christmas presents were produced years ago.

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The Market

The Drottningholm Christmas Market is also rather small, but very well curated. There are between 15 and 20 stalls. The outdoor market is filled with local produce with a festive flare featuring cheese, bread, mustard, fish, mulled wine and ham. You can find local craftspeople here selling handmade winter gear, warm slippers and Scandinavian embroidery and jewellery. There are even fun fair type games for the kids. Because the market is only open for two days, it feels all the more intimate and not so touristy. Not many tourists manage to make the trek or arrive on that day so you’ll find it feels more like a small-town affair.

Open December 3rd – 4th 2022

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The Christmas Market at the Royal Stables

The Royal Stables are located just behind Strandvägen in Östermalm. Even today, the Swedish Monarchy uses ceremonial horses to transport them during state events and festive occasions. The Royal Stables, built in 1697, are open to the public throughout the year but by guided tour only. Inside, you can find around 50 horse-drawn carriages, sleighs and coaches, and 20, perfectly groomed and well behaved, royal horses. But during the Christmas season, a four-day market is held inside the stables. The market occurs over the first weekend of Advent. This is not only a great market to visit but a fantastic way of seeing the stables without booking a guided tour.

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About 70 stalls on either side of an elegant red carpet are laid out inside the artful stables. The boothes feature handicrafts from all over Sweden. Some of the most unique gifts can all be found here all under one roof. You can even poke your head into the stables and say hello to one of the many royal horses. Don’t miss this market if you’re around.

Open November 25th – 27th 2022

Bondens egen Marknad Östermalm

Located in the quaint Tessinparken in the Östermalm is the Bondens egen Marknad, a weekly farmer’s market. And throughout December, they play host to a festive Christmas Market. This market feels more rustic and local. There aren’t as many handicrafts here, as the focus is more on local produce and Swedish food. 

This is a fantastic place to come to buy a few items for a little picnic or “smorgasbord” back at your hotel. Cheese, sausage, bread and sweets, what more can you ask for! If you’re staying in town for an extended period of the holidays, pick up one of the hand-made pine wreaths to bring some of that Christmas scent into your hotel room. It’s the next best thing to a Christmas tree.

Open: December 3rd, December 10th and December 17th

Konstfack Christmas Market

If you’re looking for something a little different, check out the Konstfack University of Art and Design’s annual Christmas Market! Although the items here aren’t “Christmassy,” this is a glorious opportunity for you to support local artists by buying some of their ceramics, textiles, painting, jewelry, glass, posters, sculptures or decor. Plus, the entire event feels so festive. There is a small entrance fee, but even if you don’t buy anything, touring all the different works on offer is like walking through an art gallery. Their cafeteria is even open for guests during the event and serves up coffee and Christmas baked goods to all visitors. The market is open over the last week of November.

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Christmas at Rosendals Trädgårdard

Rosendals Trädgård is a sprawling urban garden located in Djurgården, just west of Rosendal Palace. During the holiday season, a festive market pops up inside Rosendals Trädgårdard. Since it is a garden, one of the best things to buy here is their living Christmas arrangements. Huge wreaths and winter flowers will bring that unmistakable scent of Christmas into your hotel room or home! Their bakery is continually churning out bread, pastries and delicacies like fresh gingerbread which are made in their fantastic wood fire stone oven. This wood fire oven really adds a unique flavour to the baked goods and makes them taste like nothing else!

Their farm shop is in full swing, making pickles, jams and other exceptional items to eat while you’re in town or bring home to friends and family. Throughout the season, Christmas concerts featuring local musicians and composers fill the garden with sweet melodies. Walking around the garden stalls, under the fairy lights, lantern and bonfires is nothing short of magical and really gets you in the Christmas spirit! The Market is open from the end of November to the last few days before Christmas. Check their website for details.

Open November 18th – December 22nd

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Christmas Market at Färgfabriken

Färgfabriken is a chich art gallery and event venue located in the Lövholmen suburb southwest of Stockholm. From December 10th to 11th Färgfabriken hosts its own Julmarknad, or Christmas Market, which boasts the honour of being Stockholm’s largest market for crafts and design. Inside you’ll find unique products from over a hundred exhibitors. In addition to these fantastic handmade products, you can also visit their cafe in the main hall, which serves up Christmas coffee, mulled wine, butter bread and other delicacies.

Open: December 10th – 11th 2022 | Admission is SEK 60 ($5.50 USD)

Skeppsholmsgården’s Christmas market

Skeppsholmen is a small, peaceful island located just east of Gamla Stan. It is frequently referred to as a museum island since it’s home to the National Museum Skeppsholmen, the Moderna Museet, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. But it is also home to the Skeppsholmen, a small sailing school that teaches sailing to children and young adults. But during December, Skeppsholmsgården hosts a small maritime-themed Christmas fair. The booths mostly feature nautical-themed handmade crafts; kids can even try out blacksmithing or watch the blacksmiths at work! Coffee and light food will be available for sale both in and outside.

Open: December 10th and 11th, 2022

Schysst Jul

Schysst Jul is a Christmas market, unlike the others. This market is focused on selling products that are all fair trade and organically produced. These businesses ensure all your Christmas gifts support the environment and the people who source and make the goods. This way you can feel good about what you’re buying.

Open December 3rd 10am-4pm & December 4 10am-3pm

What to Eat & Drink

Glögg

If you haven’t tried glögg at Christmas time in Sweden, you haven’t been to Sweden. Glögg is sweetened, mulled red wine blended with a spice mixture of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. Different vendors might have their own unique spin on the drink with additives like citrus, raisins or almonds. It’s said to be lucky if you get a glass with one of the almonds in it. These nuts and fruits are sooooo good as they have soaked up all the flavour of the glögg and are a delicious little snack in your beverage. Glögg can be purchased by the glass at the market or you can even buy entire bottles to take home with you.

Pepparkakor

One of those Swedish Christmas treats I found everywhere in the city were Pepparkakor. Pepparkakor, or gingersnaps, have been eaten in Sweden since the the 1300s. But it wasn’t until the 1800s that it began to be associated with Christmas. You can find these delicious desserts made with gourmet ingredients in specialty cafes, sample traditional homebaked treats in the Christmas markets or just buy yourself an entire box inside the charming tins found on every shelf in the grocery store!

Unlike other gingersnaps I’d had before in Canada or even in the UK, these were SPICY! Not like temperature spicy but filled with spices. The cookies aren’t just overpowered by sweetness, they have so much real flavour. In fact, the reason they are called Pepparkakor is that they indeed contain pepper! I loooooved them. Their flavouring is almost so strong it could wake you up like a cup of coffee. They were even better dipped into a glass of glögg.

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Although the cookies are eaten throughout the year, they are most popular at Christmas. Beautifully crafted tins and boxes of the cookies can be found at the market, and they make the perfect gift for those at home. You can also just buy one or two cookies to eat, dipped into your warm glögg while walking around the market.

Many Christmas markets also sell larger, non-edible versions of the cookie, decorated with brightly coloured icing sugar. The icing sugar spells out different Christmas greetings making them almost like a giant cookie Christmas card. These are great souvenirs and look adorable hung on the Christmas tree.

Saffransbullar 

Saffransbullar or saffron buns are traditional pastries eaten during the Christmas season in Sweden. Their golden yellow and shiny appearance can be seen glimmering in windows of bakeries all across the county. The buns are made with saffron and dark raisins. They are rolled into an s-shape, which is said to resemble a cat all curled up, and the raisins used to denote the cat’s eyes. These warm buns are perfect for enjoying on a cold winter’s day or night. Although you might not bring these home, they are lovely to enjoy as you peruse the rest of the market.

Smoked Meat

Smoked meat has been enjoyed by the Swedes since the dawn of time. But in Sweden, they specialized in various meats you might not have tried before. Specialties like elk, moose and reindeer. Prinskorv or “smoked sausages” are ALWAYS a part of the Swedish julbord or Christmas Buffet. While your home countries’ import restrictions might prevent you from bringing these foods home, they are a great thing to enjoy while you’re in town and are perfect for creating your very own julbord.

Knäckebröd 

Another item to buy for your julbord is Knäckebröd or Swedish crisp bread. These dry crackers are HUGE, almost the size of a large dinner plate. They are usually made with rye flour, and although they are pretty delicate, the crackers can keep forever! At the Christmas markets, they are packaged in beautiful red Christmas wrapping paper and look like a gorgeous present under your tree.

Polkagris

Although you might know them better as “candy canes” in Sweden, they are called ‘Polka Pig‘ or Polkagris. Polkagris was actually invented in Sweden around the 1800s. The name comes from the polka dance craze, which swept through Scandinavia at the time. The fast-paced dance matched the frenzied process required to create these twisted and twirled candies. These red and white peppermint sweets are made fresh for the market, but while they might look like the same thing you can get back home, I found they tasted much more refreshing and they had a more prominent punch!

Smågodis

While all the bins of candies might seem like a Christmas gimmick to get tourists to buy cheap candy for inflated prices, eating candy in Sweden is a real tradition. Smågodis means “little candies”. Visit any grocery store, convenience store or gas station and you’ll always find a series of bins filled with pick & mix candies. Take a bag and filler’ up!

The tradition started as something called Lördagsgodis, meaning “saturday candy” in Swedish. Every Saturday, Swedish children were allowed to visit their local store and buy as much candy as possible. But the tradition locked itself in the heart of Swedes into adulthood. Today, the average Swede eats about 23 pounds of candy every year! And yet somehow they remain so slim….baffling. Christmas time is even more special when it comes to Smågodis, and filling your bag up in the marketplace is a great way to take part in this tradition, Saturday or not!

Brända mandlar

Brända mandlar or candied almonds are among the most intoxicating smells that draw you in throughout these market places. The steam coming off the hot pans wafts through the square. These freshly made almonds are a popular treat at Christmas markets, and a warm pack of them in your pocket keeps your hot all night long! Or…until you eat them up.

Ost

Another important aspect of the Swedish Julbord is cheese or as it’s called in Sweden, Ost! One of the most popular cheeses to eat during the holidays is Swedish Cheddar Cheese from Kvibille, Sweden’s best-known cheddar producer. Another popular variety is the Hushållsost made from cows milk. It’s the most popular kind of cheese eaten in Sweden, with 15,000 tons of it consumed every year.

Swedish Mustard

Mustard is a popular condiment for the Swedes, they love to slather it on top of many different foods. At Christmas time, their festive ham isn’t complete without a side of hot mustard. But nothing compares to the homemade mustards you’ll find at local markets. These are fresh, spicy and a great gift (if you can keep your own hands off of it long enough)

What to Buy

Julbock

One of the most iconic images of Christmas in Sweden is the Julbock. The Julbock, or Yule Goat, goes back to Sweden’s Pagan origins. Swedes worshiped the god Thor, who rode a chariot drawn by two regal goats. This cemented goats being seen by Swedes as vital beings ever since. In the 19th century, the Yule Goat’s role shifted to becoming the giver of Christmas gifts. It wasn’t until the 20th century that Swedes adopted the image of Santa Claus. Despite Santa becoming more and more popular, the Julbock is still a cherished Christmas decoration. These goats are made of straw and always feature a bright red ribbon. They come in all different sizes, from large table-sized versions to little Christmas tree ornaments. These are a must-buy for anyone visiting Sweden at Christmas time.

Christman Candles

Swedes love candles! It’s part of hygge. Hygge is the word for creating cozy and conformable spaces, which lead to a sense of wellness and contentment. Winters in Sweden get really cold and dark, and one of the best ways to combat the winter darkness is by lighting inviting candles throughout the home. Christmas candles in Sweden often feature five candles to represent the four Sundays leading up to Christmas with one candle in the middle for Christmas day. The most famous candelabras seen in windows all across Stockholm feature a stepped ladder design. These candles are so beautiful and would make a gorgeous centerpiece on the Christmas table.

Tomte

Before the Swedes adopted Santa Claus, they had Tomte or Nisse. Tomte is a little forest gnome who is said to live under the house to protect children from misfortune. His defining features are his tiny stature, long grey beard, and large, pointed hat. The Christmas garb for Tomte features a bright red cap. At Christmas time, children leave out a bowl of porridge out for Tomte to ensure he creates no mischief. Tomte’s visage is replicated all over the market as hand-sewn felt decorations, sculptures, wooden figures, paintings and more. These make great gifts or an excellent addition to your own Christmas tree.

Julstjärna

The Julstjärna is the Swedish Christmas star. These paper decorations are seen hung in the home and in window frames all across the country. The shape of the Julstjärna resembles a Christmas poinsettia flower. These darling stars make any darkened room alit with the Christmas spirit! These stars are so famous they have even made it into the popular culture around the world and used year-round. Still, originally the stars were meant as a Christmas decoration and you can find amazing handmade versions in the marketplaces.

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Lovikkavantar

Lovikkavantar are hand-knitted mittens originating from the village of Lovikka in northern Sweden. The exact pattern that is still made today dates back to 1892. It features a white and grey hand-knitted glove with yellow, blue and red embroidered tassels around the wrists. These are not only quintessentially Swedish, they are great for keeping your warm in the winter!

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Dalahäst Ornaments

The Dalahäst or Dala Horse is a carved, wooden figure, originating from Dalarna, in the center of Sweden. Deep in the forests of Dalarna, during the long dark winters, farmers would use rudimentary tools to carve little horse toys for their children. Why horses, you ask? Well, perhaps for the same reason kids love to play with toy cars these days. Horses back then were one of the most essential parts of life. They transported you from place to place, helped plough fields, moved lumber, and of course, were a great animal companion.

The traditional designs of the Dalahäst features a bright red coat with an embroidered harness painted in white, green, yellow and blue around its neck. The Dalahäst is known to be a symbol for good luck. Many souvenir shops are known to sell Chinese mass-produced knockoffs which are anything but handmade or authentic. In fact, they use plastic which is heat wrapped around the wood to replicate the hand painted appearance. But in the Christmas markets which ensure only Swedish products are sold, you find mind authentically hand made one. They even have them in smaller sizes which are perfect to use as Christmas ornaments!

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Kræmmerhuset

A Danish tradition that has made its way to Sweden is the Kræmmerhuset. These upsides down cones are Christmas decorations hung on the tree, which are then filled with candies. After Christmas is over, children are encouraged to help take the ornaments off the tree. As their reward they can eat the sweets they find within the Kræmmerhusets. The cones are often designed to resemble the shape of Tomte’s Christmas cap. This was such an exciting new tradition for me to discover and I was so excited to bring it home to teach my family!

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Swedish Sami Jewellery

Sami jewellery comes from the northern Lapland region of Sweden. This Nordic handcraft is a form of indigenous jewelry passed down from generation to generation. The designs of Sami jewelry feature intricate braids made from silver threads. They are framed against a reindeer hide band. These simple but elegant styles are a beautiful gift and the perfect stocking stuffer!

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Swedish Christmas Ornaments

Although it might seem redundant to mention buying Christmas ornaments at a Christmas market, I found the decorations for sale at these Swedish markets to be some of the most charming and adorable decorations I’d seen anywhere. It’s incredible how all of Sweden seems to have gotten behind the colour of Christmas decorations being only red, white and grey. Swedish Christmas decor is much more restrained and rustic. But they use a myriad of different materials which creates a gorgeous textural effect everywhere you look. There are glass-blown bobbles, wooden carved stars, hand-knit stockings, felt Santas, wheat shaped into snowflakes and more! You are sure to find the perfect complement to your Christmas tree anywhere you look.

I had such a blast visiting the Swedish Christmas Markets. Even when I didn’t buy anything, it was such fun to just explore and look at all the wonderful things people had on display. The atmosphere at these markets is brimming with excitement and joy, and they are an experience not to be missed.

Let me know in the comment if you’ve ever visited a European Christmas Market before and where was your favourite!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Guide to Stockholm’s Magical Christmas Markets [UPDATED 2022] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

The Best Souvenirs Inside Harry Potter World

1. TIPS
2. Zonkos
3. Honeydukes
4. Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment
5. Ollivander's Wands
6. Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods
7. Gladrags Wizardwear
8. Dervish & Banges
9. House Sweatshirts
10. Owl Post
11. Hogsmeade Station
12. Additional Shopping Locations

About the Stores inside Hogsmead

The shops inside the Wizarding World were designed to be the same size and scale as the movie versions. While having huge stores might be more conducive to selling merchandise, the park knew this wouldn’t be how these tiny, ancient shops would have looked in the real Wizarding world. They wanted to make it feel as close to the real thing as possible. I’m sure this meant fewer sales for the park, but it’s nice to know they made this sacrifice for the sake of authenticity.

Budget

Unless you have a limitless budget, it’s a good idea to make a game plan. Think about what you MUST buy or what is most important to you so you stick to that budget and aren’t just overcome by all there is to get here. I’ve done some of the work for you! Here is a list of all the best items I found in the park which I think every Harry Potter fan will enjoy. I’ve also made sure to note down where to find them! This will make sure you don’t waste too much time in the park looking for these items. Instead, spend that saved time drinking Butterbeer and riding broomsticks on the Forbidden Journey! For a complete guide to the park, check out my post here!

TIPS

• If you’re going to buy a wand and robe, get these as early in the day as possible. This means you can use your wand throughout the interactive parts of the Wizarding World ASAP. And your beautiful robe will make any picture you take in the park that much more magical.
• Shop for most of your other souvenirs in the afternoon. This is when most people have chosen to go on more rides throughout the rest of the park. Shopping during the lunch or dinner hour is also a good time since the shops will be less busy.
• Buy any food items you plan on taking home at the end of the day. Not only does this mean you won’t need to lug them around all day, but chocolates and some other candies tend to melt in the heat.

Zonkos

Zonkos Joke Shop is one of the first shops you’ll see upon entering the park. This joke shop was a favourite of pranksters Fred and George’s and their first stop while in Hogsmead. In the books, it was known to sells everything a wizard needs to play pranks and make people laugh. It carried such things as, “Dungbombs, Hiccough Sweets, Stink Pellets, Frog Spawn Soap, Sugar Quills, and Nose-Biting Teacups“. In Hollywood’s own Hogsmeade, you can still buy some really interesting items in the shop to take home with you.

Pygmy Puffs

One of the most iconic creatures from the Harry Potter books has got to be Pygmy Puffs! A Pygmy Puff is a miniature Puffskein, bred by Fred and George Weasley and originally sold at their shop Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. It was one of their most popular products in the WonderWitch range. Now you can have one for yourself, although since you’re a muggle you’ll have to settle for the stuffed variety. Choose either a bright purple and pink little fluff ball. These are great souvenirs for the kids.

Cost: $20.00

Love Potion

Another Harry Potter artifact that will make a great addition to your shelf is the Love Potion bottle. Fans will remember how the love potion played a large role in the books when Romilda Vane tried to give one of the Weasleys’ love potions to Harry Potter. These Love Potions come in the same bottles which were designed for the movies making them extra special. The potion itself is made of a sweet lychee gel. Although the price might seem steep for a drink, what you’re really getting is a pretty movie and book replica. These make a great addition to a nightstand!

Cost: $9.96

Felix Felicis or ‘Liquid Luck’

The same sort of things goes for the Felix Felicis, better know as Liquid Luck! This teardrop-shaped glass bottle is filled with a sweet, sparkling syrup. The potion is thought to, “imbue the drinker with good luck for a period of time, during which everything they attempt will be successful”. This muggle-friendly version, however, is just made from ginger and lemon syrup, but is no less beautiful to admire.

Cost: $9.95

Sneakoscope

A sneakoscope is a type of Dark Detector from the Harry Potter books. It looks like a glass spinning top that lights up, spins, and whistles if someone is doing something untrustworthy nearby. Ron brought one back for Harry from Hogsmead the first time he and Hermione visited. Production designers for the movie created the most amazing Sneakoscope design but the scene was cut from the film. Luckily, their loss is their own gain, as they recreated it for any Muggle to buy in Zonkos.

Cost: $14.95

Exploding Bon Bons

Zonkos joke shop also features some delicious, and playful, sweet treats. These are GREAT to bring home to Harry Potter fans as it really feels like something pulled right from the book. While the glass jar of U-No-Poo is pretty funny and the Shock-o-choc has some great packaging, my favourite of all their “trick” candy is the Exploding Bon Bons. These little white chocolate bonbons are flavoured with orange and pineapples and filled with “exploding” pop rocks in the center! They are so fun to eat and a super delicate, delicious and unique flavour too! These were really one of the best tasting candies I’ve ever had.

Cost: $9.95 for 10 candies

Honeydukes

Honeydukes is visually one of the most amazing shops in Hogsmeade. Walking in the door you are overcome with fantastical scents and scenery all around you. There is just something about those mint green and pastel pink walls that makes you smile! One of my favourite quotes from the books about Honeydukes describes it perfectly, “…there were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable.” And they really are!

There are so many of those famous sweets from the books here that it’s almost impossible to narrow down your selection. But honestly, some of these treats are prettier than they are delicious. Here are my tops picks for those treats which are iconic to the books, but also delicious to eat!

Sherbert Lemon Candies

While everyone more than likely goes for the beans or the frogs first, I darted right for the Sherbert Lemon candies. Sherbert lemons were Dumbledore’s favourite candy in the books. So much so that at one point they were the password for his office door. Sherbert Lemon might be something you’ve seen before, but these ones are gourmet. They are melt in your mouth and just the right balance of sweet and sour. The best part is that once you’ve finished the tin, you can refill it as much as you want with your favourite candies. It makes for a gorgeous display piece year-round. I even put some loose leaf tea in it too! It’s super versatile.

Cost: $9.95

Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Bean

Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans are one, if not the most, iconic candy from the Harry Potter books and films. The Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans you can in Honeydukes are an absolute replica of the ones in the movies. They are packaged up in this darling, vintage-inspired striped box. The flavours included are everything from Tutti-Frutti, to cherry, earwax, black pepper, and even sausage! They’re really good fun to eat with friends and see everyone’s reaction. You can buy either the paper box or a fancier tin version. While the tin container is no doubt more sturdy, the paper box feels more like the original and you get the same amount of candy in both

Cost: Paper box $13 | Tin box $19

Candy Quill

One of the cheapest items in Honeydukes is the candy quills. These large lollipops are shaped into a beautiful feather quill. The tip, when wetted, actually writes too! They come in a multitude of different flavours so you can always find your favourite. Mine is ALWAYS blue raspberry!

Cost: $4.95

Butterbeer Fudge

Honeydukes also features a fudge counter where you can buy freshly made pastries and desserts. The BEST thing in this mouthwatering case is the Butterbeer fudge. The fudge replicates the drink almost exactly and even has that top layer of light, marshmallow foam. It’s SUPER sweet but that means you can easily share it among a bunch of people! The fudge is one of the only fresh items you can bring home with you and it will still be fresh for a couple of days.

Cost: $3.95

Honeydukes Latte Mug

One of the best non-food items sold at Honeydukes are these huge, Honeydukes branded latte mugs. These are complete with that iconic green and pink logo on the front. These are great for coffee or tea drinkers who want to feel like they are at Honeydukes every day! The mug is very large, and well made, with some real weight to it! This is something you can really use every day so it’s well worth the price.

Cost: $21.00

Chocolate Frogs, Don’t Buy?

Alright…Chocolate Frogs. I think most people will claim this to be the best thing to buy in Honeydukes. It’s no doubt iconic. It has a huge part to play in the first movie and throughout the books. And while the boxes are beautiful and the cards inside are super unique and well designed, the actual chocolate frog is honestly a bit disappointing.

The shape is pretty spot-on, but the chocolate tastes really cheap and even is a bit oily. For $13.99, I think there are so many better things you can buy that are just as iconic and with just as beautiful packaging. BUT if you really have your heart set on one, don’t let me stop you. One tip to keep in mind is if you open the frog in the shop and don’t like your card, you can ask to trade it in at the counter for a different one.

Cost: $13.99

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment is my favourite shop to visit as it’s just so beautiful inside.  Walking inside, the Prussian blue walls covered in gold embellishment sparkle and shine, dazzling the eye of the beholder. The shop is made to look like an ancient astronomer’s tower with astrological constellations painted on the ceiling. Everything from crystal balls to telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses are displayed inside the window cases.

Replica Wizarding Robes

While Gladrags might be where most people go to buy their robes, I’d advise you to buy one at Wisescares if you’re going to make the investment. You can try it on and look at yourself in one of their antique mirrors and there is just something really “magical” about this shop which makes the experience that much more special. Buying a robe is a real splurge but for a huge fan, there is just something monumental about getting to wear your own house robe. The robes are so well made, and super heavy. The fabric isn’t cheap at all, which I’ve definitely found with Halloween costume robes I’ve worn before.

The robes have great big pockets, perfect for keeping your phone handy for pictures. They even have a tiny pocket inside for your wand, which makes it feel so authentic! The weather was miserable when I was there, and my robe kept me nice and warm! While buying a robe might not be for everyone, for me, it was a right of passage I had dreamed of and didn’t disappoint.

Cost: $139

Pins

If you’re looking for something much much cheaper, Wiseacre’s has a huge selection of Harry Potter themed pins. There can be worn literally every day, on your clothes, bags or shoes so they really make for a versatile gift or souvenir. I love the Quibbler Spectrespecs Pin ($ 15) as well as the Mermaid Window Pin ($12). The Deathly Hallows pin is one of the cheapest ($9) and also one of the most iconic symbols from the Harry Potter series. They really have a pin for anything you can imagine so take some time to find one that really speaks to you.

Cost: Varies, around $9-$18

If you can’t make it to Harry Potter World, you should check out pins.us to make yourself a custom Harry Potter pin. It’s a great way to show off your favourite part of the fandom! And something no one else will have.

Ollivander’s Wands

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ollivanders is the wand shop everyone goes to get their first wand. It’s been owned by the same family of wandmakers since 382 B.C.! When you enter inside, you can feel the “age” of the building. Dusty wand boxes are stacked right up to the ceiling. They seem to lean and sway with the sagging of the walls. While the Ollivanders Wand shop is also an interactive experience, you can enter the shop on its own, through the back of Wiseacres.

Replica Wands

There are replica wands of pretty much every character from the films. The replica wands were gorgeous, and I couldn’t believe how many characters they had. I expected just the most important ten characters or so would be featured, but they had everyone! I found Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas, various Death Eater wands and even Nicolas Flamel! My heart had been set on buying Luna Lovegood‘s wand (she’s my favourite character).

“Unclaimed” Wands

“Unclaimed” wand designs are uniquely suited to your personality and your birthday. This is based on the fact that J.K. Rowling found out that her choice of holly for Harry’s wand coincidentally corresponded with his birthday on the Celtic tree calendar. The Celtic Tree Calendar has thirteen lunar divisions, each one of which has a corresponding tree. If you want to learn more about this, I found it really fascinating. It’s like finding a wand based on your Celtic zodiac sign.

To get a custom wand “evaluation“ the wand clerk will ask you a bunch of questions; your birth date, your name and then a lot of other personality qualifiers. From there, they will present one or two wands to you which reflect what they learned from your evaluation. When they present the wand, they go over all its properties and what kind of person would suit the wand. It was like listening to a bedtime story, there were so many interesting aspects to each one.

Interactive wands vs. Non-interactive wands

Whichever wand you purchase, there are two types identified by the labels on the wand boxes. The wands with a gold label are interactive wands that you can use through the Wizarding World. The wands with the matte labels are just ornamental. The interactive wands can be used in all Wizarding World parks to cast spells. These “spells” can be cast at different locations inside the Wizarding World. Inside your wand box, there is a map of all the interactive destinations. They also provide instructions on how to perform each spell. I got an interactive wand and loved performing the spells in the park. It definitely makes you feel like a real wizard. But even just the ornamental wands themselves make you feel like you’ve been to Hogwarts and back. They look gorgeous to display in your home and fun prop to use throughout your visit to Hogsmeade.

Cost: The non-interactive wands cost $55, and the interactive wands cost $59 and come with a map of the locations where you can cast spells.

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Inside Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods shop, you’ll find lots of “confiscated items”. If you’re a collector, this is one of the best shops to buy your very own replica props. They even sell copies of the Harry Potter books here, as these are still on the list of banned books in various countries around the world and would, therefore, be “confiscated” items.

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Marauder’s Map

Perhaps one of the most sought-after confiscated items is the Marauder’s Map. This wonderfully detailed fold-out map featured the entire layout of the castle, which is super cool to see! It has the names of almost all the book’s characters positioned throughout the castle. It’s an extremely accurate artifact from the movies and although the price tag is a bit steep, think of it as something you can frame and display forever in your home.

Cost: $49.95

Time-Turner Necklace

If you’re looking for a beautiful piece of jewellery which doesn’t feel cheap or cheesy I’d recommend the time-turner necklace! The quality is wonderful and the central hourglass has real sand that flows from one side to the other when it is turned upside down. For any Harry Potter fan, this replica piece is a real treasure but its also something which you can wear on a daily basis and won’t get called out for wearing “a costume”.

Cost: $50.00

Pumpkin Juice

The Magic Neep cart sells quick bites to eat and things to drink. The best drink to get here is the pumpkin juice. This tastes very similar to a cold apple cider and is so refreshing. But the best part is the souvenir bottle you get with it! This gorgeously designed bottle is perfect to put on your shelf as a piece of decor well after you’ve finished drinking it.

Cost: $4.99

Gladrags Wizardwear

Gladrags Wizardwear is a clothing shop was visited by the trio multiple times in the book and was where they went to buy a present for Dobby since the shop “had the best selection of socks in Hogsmead”. The shop was founded in 1750 and is full of incredible items to both buy and admire. On the second level, you can see hundreds of ribbons, rolls of fabric, piles of buttons and more ready to be whipped up into a brand new set of dress robes.

House Scarf

One of the most affordable and iconic pieces of clothing you can buy here is your very own wizarding scarf complete with your house colours. They have the authentic movie replica versions with the thin stripes, as well as the more bold, broad stipe versions. You can even get a scarf with your house slogan and crests emblazoned on them.

Cost: $40.00

R & H Sweaters

If you’re looking to splurge a little on something really special, then the replica Christmas sweaters that Mrs. Weasley knits for Harry and Ron at Christmas time are going to be for you. They are made of 100% wool and as such, are pretty pricey but feel absolutely amazing! I was too scared I would get it dirty or shrink it by accident in the wash, but if you’re much less of a klutz than me and you’d love a warm woolly sweater to remind you of your time in the park, this is for you!

Cost: $89.95

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Yule Ball Dress Ornaments

While you might not be able to afford Hermione’s $375 replica Yule Ball Gown, Gladrags sells these ADORABLE minature yule ball dress ornaments! You can find the trio’s outfits as well as Fleur and Krum’s dashing outfits! They would make a wonderful addition to any Christmas tree. I honestly could write a whole post about all the different Christmas ornaments you can buy here, but these miniature outfits are by far the most unique and memorable.

Cost: $21.95

Dervish & Banges

Dervish & Banges is a shop that features a little more prominently in the books and is known to sell “magical instruments and stuff,” according to Ron Weasley. Inside Dervish & Banges, you can find various house-themed items and apparel. The shop is gorgeously designed. They really wanted it to feel like an old clothing store. Antique boxes and piles of merchandise are stacked up on the second floor. Different parts of the shop move like magic. There are flying broomsticks bobbing up and down above your head as well as the cage which holds the ‘The Monster Book of Monsters”. Be careful, it will snap at any little children who dare to put their fingers inside the cage!

House Sweatshirts

One of the newer items of clothing on sale here are these wonderfully soft house sweatshirts with the name of the different houses stitched onto the front. There is also a wonderfully detailed crest on the sleeve. These look almost like the university sweatshirts you might see on campuses across the states. The cost is high but the quality is very high too. These shirts feel a little bit more contemporary and could be worn a lot more frequently than some of the more movie replica pieces.

Cost: $43.99

Quidditch Captain T-shirt

If Quidditch is your thing, they sell these amazing Quidditch Captain T-shirts with the name of the various house captains stitched on the back. If you want something even more unique, you can get a custom version made with your own name emblazoned on the back!

Cost: $36.95, extra $20 to get your name custom made

Spectrespecs

If you’re a huge Luna Lovegood fan, like me, one of the best souvenirs is a pair of Spectrespecs. These are just like the ones she wore in the movie. The Spectrespecs in the movie were large, colourful spectacles that were given away free in an issue of The Quibbler. Luna used these to watch for Wrackspurts and described them as making the wearer look like a “demented multicoloured owl“. Personally, I think they look amazing. The spectrespecs you can buy in the Wizarding World come on a cardboard poster inspired by the Quibbler magazine from the film. You simply punch them out of the poster or keep the piece intact as it can make for an amazing work of art to frame!

Cost: $6.95

The Golden Snitch

One of the extremely well-priced items in the shop is the Golden Snitch! This piece of quidditch equipment, as we all know, is much more than that. It shows up throughout all the books and even plays a part in one of the most important scenes in the final book. The toy version they sell here comes with a little stand and even flaps its wings! Close up it might look like a toy but from afar this looks just as real as the real thing!

Cost: $18.95

Owl Post

The Owl Post Shop is the Wizarding World’s version of the regular post office, but instead of human mail carriers, they use owls! All along the timber tall walls are animatronic owls who move and howl at customers as they come inside. Brown paper parcels are stacked to the ceiling awaiting their recipients. If you purchase anything from this shop you can even pay to have it wrapped in the very same iconic brown paper wrapping. The Owl Post is the best place to buy various bits of stationery.

Ministry of Magic Interdepartmental Paper Aeroplane Memos

If you remember from the films, the scenes inside the Ministry of Magic, you might remember the office workers writing memos on pieces of paper. The papers would then magically fold up into paper airplanes and whiz about the office landing on the desk of that to which it was intended. You can now send your very own Ministry of Magic memos, although perhaps without the magically flying abilities. Inside this gorgeously packaged folder are 15 memo sheets, with golden Ministry of Magic seals. There are instructions on how to fold them into paper airplanes and even just one of the 15 included in the pack makes for a beautiful piece of decor on a shelf! So they’re great to share with friends.

Cost: $24 for 15 memos and seals

Notebooks

My favourite item in this shop were the notebooks. Each one of these was designed to look like the covers of various famous books from the movies. you have ones made to look like Tom Riddle’s diary, the ‘Advanced Potion Making‘ manuals from the Half-Blood Prince, the cover of the ‘History of Magic‘, ‘Dark Arts Defence‘ and even ‘Tales of Beetle the Bard‘.

Cost: $25

Hedwig

No wizard is complete with a familiar, and for Harry, this was his beloved owl, Hedwig. Throughout the Owl Post shop, you can find a variety of plush owls, but the most important of them all is Hedwig. There is even a Hedwig puppet version whose head and wings can move! This is great for kids, and it’s more fun to play with than just a standard stuffed animal.

Cost: Puppet $40.00 | Other standard plush owls cost between $21 and $24.

Howler Recordable Pop-Up Card

In the second book and film, Ron gets a Howler from his mother scolding him for using the flying the car to get into Hogwarts after they missed the train. These Howlers are magical letters, which come in bright red envelopes, and have enchanted with messages in the writer’s voice inside, usually at a very high volume. Here in the wizarding world you can buy your own Howler card. The cards pop-up after they’re opened into that iconic mouth shaped letter and you’re even able to record a 15-second clip to surprise the recipient. These make a great birthday gift for any Potter lover.

Cost: $18.95

Hogsmeade Station

Hogsmeade station is a small shop that looks like an old-fashioned train ticket booth. Inside you’ll find various apparel and souvenirs with Platform 9 ¾ on it, hidden among piles of antique luggage. If you’re a train buff, this is the place for you.

Hogwart Railways Iron-On Patch Set

A really great souvenir to grab here is a pack of iron-on patches that can add a bit of magic to any outfit or bag! They come in packs of two patches so you can keep one and give one away to a friend!

Cost: $8 for two

Hogwarts Express Replica Ticket

A replica of Harry’s Ticket on to the Hogwarts Express can be bought at Hogsmeade station. This was his way into the Wizarding world and no doubt a piece of ephemera he would have treasured himself. There are two tickets inside the package, one from London to Hogwarts and one for the return journey. Each of the tickets is printed on fabulous gold-colour foil paper with the iconic Hgswarts logos in the background.

Cost: $10

Grimmauld Place Metal Sign

Something interesting I found in this shop was a tin street sign for Grimmauld Place. Grimmauld Place is the street in London where the Black family residence is located at number twelve. After the Blacks abandoned it, it served as the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix between 1996-1997. The tin sign is an adorable piece of movie memorabilia, especially for any Sirius Black fan!

Cost: $13

Butterbeer | Try but don’t buy the souvenir mug!

No trip to Hogsmeade is complete without trying out the Wizarding World’s most iconic beverage, Butterbeer. Butterbear tastes like butterscotch soda topped with a marshmallow creamed foam. It’s rich, sweet and when served cold, surprisingly refreshing. But, while I do implore you to buy a glass of butterbeer, I think the souvenir mug is worth skipping. You don’t get a discount on any future refills (which is usually the incentive for these types of refillable mugs in theme parks). I found the souvenir stein to feel very cheap, and the “butterbeer” logo on the front is just a tacky sticker. For all the effort the park makes in their other packaging, I was surprised by the poor quality of this one.

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While it’s not the most expensive thing in the world, I think you’re much better to just get a butterbeer is a disposable cup and save your money. You can put that money saved towards buying one of the fantastic ceramic steins they sell, which are really something you’ll be proud to display!

Additional Shopping Locations

There are two other places inside Universal Studios where you can find Harry Potter merchandise. The first is at the front entrance of the Universal Studio Store, and the second is inside the Feature Presentation store near the park’s entry plaza. These carry a variety of items which are also located inside the Wizarding World. So if you feel like you missed something and don’t wanna walk back (or if the shops are too crowded), you can always come here to see if they have it. While these shops don’t have any of the wonderful theming of the ones in the Wizarding world, they’ll do in a pinch.

Hopefully, this guide helps you plan your wish list for the Wizarding World, and you come away with some amazing souvenirs to help remember your trip! Let me know which of these items you’d most love to buy or anything else you spotted which ended up being your favourite purchase!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post The Best Souvenirs at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Where to Find Them! [UPDATED 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.