Skansen - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com A Travel Guide for Exploring the World Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:08:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/thecreativeadventurer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-NewCreativeAdventurerLogo_250x250_v1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Skansen - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com 32 32 171399271 Discover the Ultimate Guide to a Magical Christmas in Stockholm, Complete Included Itinerary [UPDATED 2022] https://thecreativeadventurer.com/your-easy-and-essential-guide-to-discovering-christmas-in-stockholm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=your-easy-and-essential-guide-to-discovering-christmas-in-stockholm https://thecreativeadventurer.com/your-easy-and-essential-guide-to-discovering-christmas-in-stockholm/#respond Thu, 10 Dec 2020 14:19:11 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=19971 If you plan a trip over the holidays, you might have to put in a little...

The post Discover the Ultimate Guide to a Magical Christmas in Stockholm, Complete Included Itinerary [UPDATED 2022] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> If you plan a trip over the holidays, you might have to put in a little bit more effort in your scheduling to ensure you know what is and isn’t closed around the week of Christmas. That being said, there are so many unique events and activities on Christmas, which make all that work more than worth it!

When planning my Christmas trip to Stockholm, I initially didn’t think about Christmas Holiday closures. When you plan a dream trip, you don’t typically think about all that could go wrong or might not happen. But after booking all my flights, I thought, “Hmm, I wonder if I should be worried about anything being closed while I’m there.” Well, it turns out there was a lot that was going to close while I was there but nothing that a little planning couldn’t fix! All it took was plotting a careful schedule to ensure that everything I wanted to fit into the trip was scheduled on the days when things were open. 

If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Stockholm, here is how to plan your activities perfectly to ensure you see everything your festive little heart desires! I’ve laid out a sample itinerary for you, so you know what you need to visit on which day to make it there before it closes for the holidays. It’s designed as a holiday set in the week leading up to Christmas Day. But you can quickly shift it around to fit your particular schedule.

Guide to Christmas in Stockholm
  1. The Essentials
  2. What about Daylight?
  3. Where to Stay?
  4. Public Transit
  5. Sample Itinerary
  6. December 19th
  7. December 20th
  8. December 21st
  9. December 22nd
  10. December 23rd
  11. December 24th
  12. December 25th

The Essentials

Weather

If you are picturing snow-capped rooftops on your Christmas trip to Stockholm, you might want to adjust your thinking. Although Stockholm does get snow, having a large snowfall around Christmas is a rarity. If you want to see some snow, it’s easy enough to jump on a train and head north toward the colder weather.

Despite the lack of snow, it does get pretty cold in Stockholm in December. The average high is 1°C, but the low is -3°C. Add the wind chill off the water, and without proper clothes, you can be freezing. But, embrace the Nordic saying of “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!” I was sure to bring lots of thermals for layering under my clothes. I also got warm wool sweaters, waterproof boots and an excellent selection of cute hats and gloves, making dressing for the cold all the more fun!

What about Daylight?

Being located so far north, Sweden gets much less sunlight in December than you might be used to in your own country. Even here in Toronto, it gets dark around 5 pm but in Stockholm, expect it to get dark as early as 2 pm! If you want to see something specific during the day, make sure you plan this into your schedule. But the darkness means you’ll be able to enjoy all those Christmas lights almost all day long!

Where to Stay?

NOFO Hotel, Soderlam

NOFO was recommended to me by my friend who lives in Stockholm, as it’s where all his guests choose to stay time and time again. It is located in the hip neighbourhood of Södermalm. The streets of Södermalm are where you can find the most relaxing cafes, trendy bars, and hipster vintage shops. The hotel itself is one of the coolest boutique hotels I’ve ever stayed in. There is a myriad of different room themes and styles, and the breakfast buffet included in your stay is beyond incredible! I almost always opt for eating out of the hotel to experience more local restaurants and cafes, but every morning there was no way I would pass it up!

Collector’s Lady Hamilton, Gamla Stan

Although the Gamla Stan (Old Town) is pretty touristy and most businesses shut down after 5 pm, having your room located inside such a picturesque place is a real treat at Christmastime. That said, make sure you splurge on a room with a view. Collector’s Lady Hamilton Hotel is located in a 15th-century building next to the Royal Palace. The Lady Hamilton Hotel has a 13th-century cellar, which is now used as a plunge pool! Throughout the hotel, you’ll find antique furniture, old paintings and crystal chandeliers, which make you feel like you’re staying inside a piece of Stockholm’s history. 

Berns Hotel, Norrmalm

Norrmalm is another popular neighbourhood to put your head down as its located in the heart of mainland Stockholm. Norrmalm is probably the most central place to stay to get to everything you’ll want to see. Berns Hotel is one of those luxurious historic hotels that makes you feel like you’re immediately on holiday upon walking in the door! The hotel’s beautiful twinkle light covered exterior looks out over Berzelii Park and the Baltic Sea. The hotel opened in 1863 and has one of the most majestic interiors in the city. They even have an unforgettable holiday experience package at Berns which includes a full Christmas dinner, overnight stay and specialty breakfast. So if you feel like you might be homesick for Christmas, at Berns you’ll never miss a festive beat!

Public Transit

Since most travellers use public transit as their main mode of getting around, I thought it essential to list out any holiday changes to their schedule.

Metro

Dec. 23rd: Regular Sunday schedule (trains run from 5:00 am to 3:00 am)
Dec. 24th | Christmas Eve: The metro blue line runs from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm every 10 minutes, the green and red run every 15 minutes. From 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, it runs every 30 minutes. After 7:00 pm there is no underground service.
Dec. 25th | Christmas Day: After 6:00 am, the system resumes Sunday schedule service.  
Dec. 26th: Regular Sunday schedule 
Dec. 27th: Resume regular service

Buses

During the week of Christmas, many buses are still running but on adjusted schedules. Since there are so many different routes, it’s best to check online in advance for any specific route you are planning on taking. But in general, expect buses to be running on an adjusted schedule, which means longer wait times.

Sample Itinerary

December 19th

Skansen Christmas Market

The Christmas market in Skansen’s open-air museum is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 26th until December 19th. So make sure you plan accordingly to ensure you arrive in Stockholm in time to visit the Skansen Christmas Market. If you arrived earlier in the month, you could easily visit this anytime. But if you have your heart set on seeing the Skansen Christmas Market (which I did), I would make this your first stop. While the local markets are great in town, the Skansen Christmas market is the most comprehensive and the largest! uy everything from handicrafts and design to sweets, home-made candles and secret Christmas presents. 

If you aren’t interested in Christmas Market, there is no need to rush over here as Skansen is open 365 days a year. But trust me, you won’t regret making this your first stop, as the atmosphere is magical. I would schedule an entire day at Skansen as there is SO MUCH to see and do! Way more than just the Christmas Market. You can visit all the historic buildings and learn about Sweden’s Christmas traditions. My favourite thing to do is end the evening inside the Solliden’s dining room, where you can enjoy a fancy Christmas smorgasbord and buffet. Great way to sample lots of different classic Swedish Christmas dishes.

December 20th

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. This market, while small, carries everything you’d want from a Christmas Market. From cured meat to glogg, crispbread, handmade ornaments, straw Christmas goats, gingerbread, knitting and more!

The market runs from November 19th to December 23rd and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. I find going a few days before Christmas Day feels the most enchanting but not as chaotic and busy as the last day of the market.

Explore the Christmas Windows of Gamla Stan

After touring the marketplace, spend the rest of the evening walking up and down the historic streets of Gamla Stan. Since Stockholm was spared any destruction during WWII, this old town is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval quarters. At Christmas time, the storefront and shops along this touristy part of the city are decked out to the nines! Swags of fresh evergreens cover the doorways, Christmas lights glimmer against the icy cobblestones and little pink-faced gnomes in Christmas hats poke their heads out from all corners of the shop windows.

Sample some Glögg

Glögg is the traditional Swedish Christmas drink which all Swedes imbibe come the holiday season. It is sold everywhere, but one of the best ways to enjoy it is outside. It’s the perfect thing to warm up from the cold with! During Christmas-time, the streets are filled with Glögg vendors. Almost every single cafe also sells its own version of the traditional drink. I loved trying one every time it got cold and made a list of my favourite places to get glögg. Create your rating system for a fun little game to play as you wander around the city!

December 21st

Start your Day with a Sweet Treat!

Pepperkakor is the Swedish version of gingerbread and is one of the most iconic baked goods to enjoy at Christmastime. The thin cookies were eaten in Sweden as early as 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 buy yourself an entire box inside the charming tins found on every shelf in the grocery store!

Another popular pastry sold during the holidays Saffron buns or lussekatters. These “s” shaped buns are a beautiful golden treat flavoured with saffron and currants. They are called ‘lussekatter‘ or ‘Lucia cats’ as the shape resembles a cat’s tail. These desserts can be found in everything from cafes to convenience or grocery stores.

My favourite Swedish Christmas treats are Kanelbullens or Cinnamon Rolls. They are a very popular thing for Swedes to bake on Christmas morning. They are different from cinnamon buns I’ve had before, with a glossy exterior and big sugar crystals dusted on top! My favourite place to get them is the iconic Vete Katten cafe.

Walk the Christmas Lights Map

Spread across the city of Stockholm, there are over 40 streets and squares which have been festively decorated for the Holiday season. The stunning decorations are themed around Swedish Christmas traditions and iconography. Everything from moose, deer, mistletoe and stars seems to float around above your head, lighting up the dark days in even darker nights. I have a great guided tour of the city lights to follow-along, which takes you through the city’s best-decorated areas. It’s a fun and festive way to enjoy the streets of Stockholm.

Skeppsbron Waterfront Christmas Tree

Finish your Christmas lights tour with a visit to the Skeppsbron Waterfront to see the largest ‘real’ Christmas tree in the world. Standing 38 metres high, the Christmas tree on Skeppsbron in Old Town is the world’s biggest. It is covered with approximately 5,000 lights and is topped with a four-metre large star!

Enjoy the Julbord

The Swedish ‘Julbord‘ or Christmas feast is one of the most important family traditions. Pretty much all Swede have a Julbord on Christmas Eve. I have a whole post all about the Julbord which you can read to find out what to expect! But just because you might not know anyone who might invite you in for a feast doesn’t mean you can’t sample it for yourself. Historic restaurants like Operakällaren have their Julbord menus for both tourists and locals alike to try! It’s a great opportunity to feast on so many uniquely Swedish foods while also dining in one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city.

December 22nd

ArkDes Gingerbread Houses 

ArkDes on Skeppsholmen island is the national museum for architecture and design. Every year the museum features one of the most interesting Christmas exhibitions. It hosts a huge Gingerbread House competition where adults, children and professionals alike construct amazing creations all out of gingerbread. Since admission is free, it’s super easy to come in and enjoy simply the exhibition without feeling like you need to spend the whole day inside to justify the admission price.

Walking into the room filled with all the submissions, you are overwhelmed by the sweet, intoxicating smell of Christmas gingerbread. Every year there is a theme for the gingerbread houses, making a yearly visit interesting every time.

Centralbadet

If you’re feeling a bit chilly or tired from the cold, one of the best places to warm up is inside Stockholm’s Centralbadet. Centralbadet is a bathhouse located in the centre of Stockholm, yet almost hidden away. This magical place is tucked in off one of the city’s busiest shopping streets inside a large art nouveau building. Although there is nothing specifically Christmassy about this activity, the holiday season and your vacation should be about relaxing! And there is no better place to relax and get a massage than here. You can swim in the Roman pool, soak in the warm thermal baths and sweat out all the stress inside the Nordic saunas! It’s a great way to experience a very Scandinavian way of life.

Get a Bottle of Julmust

While you’re out and about, be sure to stop into a convenience store to pick up a bottle of Julmust. Julmust is a fizzy drink that tastes a little bit like root beer. The drink is ONLY available at Christmas, and Swedes go crazy for it as it has become the taste of Christmas. The drink is so popular in December that it regularly outsells Coca-Cola products as soon as it hits the shelves!

December 23rd

Christmas Cruise

One of the best ways to take in the sights of Stockholm’s waterfront is on a boat. And you might be wondering, “a boat in the winter?” And while indeed the weather might be a lot colder than a picturesque summer’s days it’s an experience not to be missed. The boats which run these cruises are set up to provide their visitors with the most comfortable experience even in the winter months. There is something so magical about seeing the (possibly) snow or frost-covered trees and buildings as you glide along the icy waters. To beat the cold they provide huge fur blankets and warm cups of glogg or hot chocolate.

There are buffets onboard many of these cruises, which provide you with another opportunity to sample a Swedish Julbord. The Christmas smorgasbord features classics like reindeer and elk meat, Swedish sausages, crispbread, smoked herring and salmon and cheese. I would recommend taking the early afternoon cruise. This means you have enough time to enjoy a bit of daylight but also admire the beauty of the city at night. The cruise lasts about three hours. Prices are around SEK 795 per person ($90 USD). Check the website for more details.

December 24th

Live Advent Calendar

Every year the windows around the main square in Gamla Stan are home to an extraordinary Christmas tradition; the Live Advent Calendar. Every day until Christmas Eve, a window around the square opens and out pops a live performer. For 15 minutes, a performance is given by either an individual or a group. This would be a reading of a Christmas story, a speech or a song. Check the website for the schedule of when the windows will each be opened.

While you are welcome to visit the Live Advent Calendar any day leading up to December 24th, I decided to visit on Christmas Ever Day. And I found it to be the most lovely occasion. Many locals were there to celebrate the last day of the calendar, and it felt like a very communal celebration. Everyone sang along to the music, and even though it was all in Swedish, I still loved listening. There were speeches thanking the volunteers, so much laughter and I immensely enjoyed the beautiful music. Even though the Christmas market was closed on the 24th, they still opened the Glogg stalls. This way everyone could enjoy a glass of warm glogg while the Christmas celebrations continued.

Nordic Museum

After hearing the lovely music of the Advent Calendar, head over to the Nordic Museum. The Nordic Museum is one of the only museums still open on the 24th. It stays open to host one of the best Christmas parties in the city open to the public. This is great for families travelling who don’t have anywhere to celebrate at home or for tourists like us! They host a farandole at around noon. This is an open-chain community dance, around the giant Christmas tree in the center of the great hall. You can also meet Tomte, the Swedish Christmas Santa and get one of the best Christmas pictures!

Their restaurant is open, and there you can taste some of the most fabulous Nordic Christmas food. I was so surprised by how good the food was, considering it was set up like a cafeteria. But even the tables where you can eat are decorated for Christmas, and the atmosphere is so enchanting.

The museum has a great exhibition upstairs all about Swedish Traditions. The collection goes through the calendar year and delves into all the different holidays and their origins in both religion and folklore. The best part to visit during this time of year is obviously the Christmas displays. These feature some fantastic pieces of ephemera from Christmases past. It even has a large scale replica of the first Swedish Christmas tree.

Last Chance for Food!

Many grocery stores and restaurants are closed on December 25th. While celebrations are taking place on Christmas Eve, Christmas day is meant for rest. As such, the entire city feels like it has gone to sleep. While some restaurants remain open on the 25th, they are few and far between. If you have your mind set on something it’s best to research in advance to see if that place is open. So you might want to plan to do a big grocery shop in advance to get some ingredients for at-home meals and picnic lunches. Plus, this gives you an excuse to wander the Christmas themed aisles of the grocery store. I honestly love visiting grocery stores when travelling. It’s such an excellent opportunity to find local things to eat and drink that are simple and everyday foods.

When shopping for my Christmas Day meals, I bought a small pre-packaged charcuterie board, bread and jam (the jam in Sweden is bonkers amazing), some interesting drinks I’d never seen before, lots of Swedish snacks, and a few sandwiches, pastries and salads. And, of course, a bottle of glogg and a bottle of Yulemust. These are easy to carry around and have on hand throughout in case you don’t find an open restaurant.

December 25th

Find the City’s Best Views

Since almost everything is closed on the 25th, I found that it was the perfect day to schedule a few walks to some of the city’s best viewpoints! The highest natural point in central Stockholm is Skinnarviksberget. From this rocky outcrop, you can see all across the city to Kungsholmen, Gamla Stan, the Stockholm City Hall, and more. On the opposite side of the town, Fjällgatan, located on the edge of a cliff, provides a stunning view from the east. Throughout this area of town, you’ll pass well-preserved buildings from the 1700s, making it one of the most historical walks to take as well.

Abba Museum

If you are interested in learning more about the Swedish Pop Culture Icons ABBA, you need to pay a visit to the ABBA Museum! It might seem a strange way to spend Christmas Day, but the ABBA museum is one of the few open on Christmas day, and honestly, this place is so much fun; it’s pretty much the perfect place to be to enjoy a spirited afternoon. The ABBA Museum is much more than a museum stuffed with original costumes, gold records, and other memorabilia. With this experience, you can pretend to be on stage with ABBA, record at the Polar Studio, and dress up like the group’s members.

Ice Skating

Another popular Christmas Day activity is to go ice skating. The Kungstradgarden ice rink and the Vasaparken ice rink are two of the best places to visit in the city. They are each open from around midday to later into the evening. Skating is free, but if you need skate rentals, there is an extra charge. These rinks are gorgeously lit with festive Christmas lights and even play charming music to enjoy as you glide along.

One Last Fika…

Finish your evening off by stopping in at a cafe to enjoy on last Fika. Fika in Swedish means “to have a cup of coffee and a snack with a friend.” It’s absolutely built into the fabric of Swedish daily life. They embrace the idea of taking time to better your relationships while enjoying something scrumptious. I found that there were many cafes still open on Christmas Day despite restaurants being closed. This is how important Fika is, it is one of the only things to stay open! So, keep your eyes peeled and you’re bound to find someplace to rest your feet. It is the perfect way to stop, and reflect back on all the memories from your trip. Take out your notebook and jot down your favourite things you did or saw along the way. Trust me, you’ll treasure taking that time to cement those memories!

I hope this little itinerary was helpful, and it provides a general guide to your first Christmas holiday in Stockholm! The schedule is pretty open, so you can plot any other activities you are excited to do while visiting this fantastic city. Many of the popular museums will remain open until around the 22nd or 23rd. So you can easily fit them in as well, but most don’t have any particular exhibition dedicated to Christmas. I would recommend the VASA museum or Swedish History Museum if it’s your first time in the country. But don’t overpack the schedule as the magic of Christmas is one best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever spent a Christmas away from home and where you most enjoyed travelling!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Discover the Ultimate Guide to a Magical Christmas in Stockholm, Complete Included Itinerary [UPDATED 2022] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/your-easy-and-essential-guide-to-discovering-christmas-in-stockholm/feed/ 0 19971 The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Skansen’s Historic Christmas Market in Stockholm [UPDATED 2023] https://thecreativeadventurer.com/why-you-need-to-visit-skansens-historic-christmas-in-stockholm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-you-need-to-visit-skansens-historic-christmas-in-stockholm https://thecreativeadventurer.com/why-you-need-to-visit-skansens-historic-christmas-in-stockholm/#respond Sun, 30 Aug 2020 16:25:31 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=17484 If you find yourself in Stockholm during December, there is one thing you absolutely must do, and...

The post The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Skansen’s Historic Christmas Market in Stockholm [UPDATED 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> If you find yourself in Stockholm during December, there is one thing you absolutely must do, and that is to visit the Skansen open-air museum! The bonfires spread throughout the park surrounded by traditional Christmas music floating through the air, and the smell of mulled wine (or glogg as they call it in Sweden) mixed with freshly baked bread is so intoxicating it can get anyone into the Christmas spirit! Suppose you’re lucky enough to visit on a snowy day? In that case, it is genuinely the most picturesque place to spend a winter’s morning!

I had been clamouring to visit Skasen at Christmas ever since my last visit to Stockholm. This park’s themeing changes throughout the year, and there is always something new to experience. Even if you’ve been before, visiting during a particular time of the year, especially a holiday, will always bring about new activities to explore, and you’ll be able to dive into one specific part of Swedish history.

Skansen might seem like it might be more for children, but I found that there was so much to see here for adults, especially those with a heightened sense of wonder and curiosity. Walking in the gates of Skansen allows you to transport yourself back in time to experience Sweden of years past before there were iPhones or wifi. When questions were answered by the people you knew, not the internet. Every baker, farmer, ironworker or shopkeeper here in Skansen will eagerly answer all your questions! Skansen is a place that piques your sense of questioning and intrigue and allows you to feel that sense of childish wonder once more.

Guide to Skansen
  1. History
  2. Visitor Information
  3. Self-Guided Tour of Skansen
  4. Christmas Market at Skansen

History

Skansen was established in 1891. It was initially proposed as a way of preserving historic buildings that were in the process of being torn down throughout the country, replaced by more modern incarnations.  Artur Hazelius, a former teacher, had become one of the country’s most prolific conservators. Hazelius had previously funded the construction of the Nordic Museum on the island of Djurgården. During a visit to King Oscar II’s open-air museum in Kristiania, Hazelius was inspired to create his own minature version of historic Sweden here in Stockholm.

Hazelius himself travelled around Sweden, collecting and selecting the most iconic houses and buildings to save and bring to his museum. Almost all of the buildings you see inside the park are original structures. Each one was carefully taken apart from elsewhere in the country and rebuilt here in Skansen. No modern techniques were used in any of the reconstructions to preserve the authenticity of the structure. Only three of the buildings you’ll see in Skanse are new constructions. Even these were made with traditional techniques, using historical floorplans and blueprints.

Visitor Information

Hours & Admission

Especially during Christmas, the park can get very busy, so it’s advisable to buy your tickets in advance. But if you arrive early in the morning and enter via the entrance mentioned below, you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get inside and buy your tickets.

Adults: 220kr ($25 USD)
Students & Seniors : 200 kr ($22 USD)
Children 4-15: 70 kr ($8 USD)
Children 0-3: free

Skansen is open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm on weekdays, and 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on weekends.

The Christmas season at Skansen runs from the end of November into the first week of January. However, if you want to see the incredible Christmas Market, it is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 26 November until 19 December. Check the website for exact details.

Location & Access

Skansen is located on the island of Djurgården. While it is possible to get here on foot and public transit, I think the best way to get to Skansen is via the ferry! I love the short but scenic journey onto Djurgården island on the ferry. The ferry number which will get your onto the island is ‘Djurgården 82‘. 

If you are taking public transit, hop on the tram #7 or #13 to arrive at the front gates. 

To get there on foot is a pretty enjoyable walk if you’re interested in taking the scenic route. Make your way to the Djurgårdsbron bridge, which will quickly lead you onto the island. From there, head along the sidewalk, enjoying the views of all the other museums on the island until you reach Skasen’s front gates.

Hazelius’ funicular entrance

There are two entrances to the park. One is called the ‘Hazelius’ entry, which is where you’ll find the old funicular. While Hazelius’ funicular entrance is perhaps a fun experience, this old method of transporting visitors up the hill is a relatively slow one. Far fewer people can enter the park via this entrance at one time. The funicular also costs 30 SK per adult. 

Djurgårdsvägen Entrance

The other entrance is further along Djurgårdsvägen. Use this entrance to get inside as it’s line moves much quicker than the previous one. Plus, the Djurgårdsvägen gate will lead you into the park right up to our guided tour’s starting point. Plus, the entry at Djurgårdsvägen is directly across from a tram station, making transit to the park super simple. 

Accessibility

If you are in a wheelchair or have mobility issues, you can take the funicular up the hill free of charge. While the Hazelius’ funicular entrance is slower, it’s much much less strenuous. Many of the Skansen’s paths aren’t paved, so if you do not have a powered wheelchair, you might find you need to work a little harder around those rougher areas. There are ramps and elevators around the park to help you get around. Most of the buildings have been adapted to provide wheelchair and disabled access. They also offer free wheelchair rentals with a valid ID.

Accessible washrooms can be found at the main entrance, the Hazelius entrance, at the Forestry Center and behind the Högloftet.

Guide dogs are allowed in the park for disabled guests. They must wear a designated vest and have proper proof of vaccination since other animals in Skansen need to be protected.

When to Visit

The best time to visit the park is right when it opens! There is SO much to do here, and since on most days, the park is only open until 3 pm, its best to arrive early to maximize your experience. During the winter months, it also gets dark really early in the day, as early as 2 pm! Coming first thing in the morning will mean you can explore the park both during the daylight and after the sun goes down.

One of Skansen’s most unique events during the Christmas season is the St. Lucia celebration. St. Lucia (or Saint Lucy) was made a martyr after since brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. She wore on her head a candlelit wreath to light her way in the darkness, which allowed her hands to carry as much food as possible. Her feast day, which coincides with the shortest day of the year, is widely celebrated as a festival of light, and the festival in Skansen is a great way to celebrate this momentous Swedish tradition. The other event not to be missed here is Skansen’s, Christmas Market. The market starts on the first weekend of advent and runs until December 22nd. Check their calendar for the exact dates.

How Long to Spend

I would advise you to spend at LEAST three hours inside the park. But if you like shopping (like me), I could have spent a good three hours shopping alone! The Christmas market is such a great place to buy unique Christmas presents. If you have kids, they will really enjoy the animals at Lil Zoo within the open-air museum. Christmas time is busy at Skansen, and many of the historic buildings are relatively small. You might need to line up or return later to get inside and explore the scenes within. Remember, don’t try to rush through the park. Take your time and allow yourself to follow your interests or anything which excites you.

Essential Tips

If you have any questions along the way or just want to chat more about something you’re engrossed in, head right up to one of the people dressed in costume. They are happy to speak to you and will stay in character the whole time. Everyone speaks both Swedish and reasonably good English so don’t be shy!

Dress warmly. Most of the park is outdoors, and even the indoor buildings on the property don’t have central heating, so you must dress for winter success. I would recommend thermal layers that can go under your regular clothes, which help retain the heat but don’t require a wardrobe overhaul.

Your entry into the open-air museum will cover all access throughout the park, but things like food and souvenirs can rack up quite the cost as you’ll find out. Set yourself a budget. Skansen is a little bit like a historic Swedish Disneyland. You’ll want to have some money set aside to indulge in various traditional treats and buy some great keepsakes.

Self-Guided Tour of Skansen

After entering the park, head up the escalator to the left of the stairs. This will lead you to Skansen’s Old Town Quarter. This is a replica of what a Swedish town would have looked like at the turn of the century. 

At Christmas time, the entire street smells like a giant campfire. Large bonfires are placed throughout the park to create a more enchanting atmosphere and help guests keep warm!

Glasswork Shop

Stop in on the left into the Glassworks building. Here, you can see craftspeople at work, demonstrating how glass Christmas ornaments were made. Glasswork was a massive industry in Sweden in the 19th century. The area between Växjö and Kalmar was once known as the “glass district,” and their wares were world-famous. Although other European cities would eventually overtake the market, it is interesting to learn about this art period in Sweden. A small shop is attached to the studio where you can also purchase some handmade ornaments for yourself!

The Potter Workshop

Inside this traditional workshop, you can see the old potter at work. Inside the studio, craftspeople make mugs, jugs and pots right in front of excited guests. After chatting in here, you can even head into the gift shop adjacent to buy some items made on-site using only old-school techniques. The various products’ designs have been modelled off original designs that that were brought for preservation to Skansen. Mugs and vases are always great Christmas gifts, and this is a gift with a great story behind it!

Bageriet

If you see a line out the door, this is no doubt the old bakery or Bageriet. I would still advise lining up even if it’s a bit of wait since backtracking back here is a pretty lengthy process. And these treats are really worth the wait! The bakery building is from 1870. Entering into the hot and smokey interior, you’ll notice that the room is dominated by the large brick oven. To get these ovens up to the proper temperature took hours. Once the oven was hot enough, it needed to be carefully maintained to not lose any heat. Bakers often work 16 hour days along with their apprentices, to create all the baked goods to feed a hungry city.

During the Christmas season, the bakery here bakes over 6,000 Pepparkakor cookies. These cookies are one of the most iconic seasonal treats eaten by Swedes. They are similar to gingersnaps but are much spicier as they do contain pepper (just like the name indicates)! A souvenir tin of these cookies is a perfect gourmet souvenir from Skansen. 

Another item baked inside the Bageriet is lussekatter. You can watch bakers rolling out large sheets of golden dough ready to be formed into their popular “s” shape design. Lussekatter are saffron buns traditionally eaten on December 13th to celebrate St. Lucia (the patron Saint of Light). The buns shape resembles a cat curled up in a ball, and the raisins are placed as its’ eyes.

The Printer’s Shop

At the end of the quarter is the Printer’s shop, inside an old building from 1740. Here, you can see how books and papers were printed as late as the first part of the 19th century. This building contains enormous pieces of equipment used to hand-set type and rolls out the local newspapers across the country! As a designer, I shudder to think how long and painstaking it must have been to hand-place each lead letter to create one page of text alone!

At the back of the workshop, there are beautiful engravings on display, used to create Christmas cards. Designs would be etched unto a rubber piece, which was then inked (just like the type was in the newspaper room) and stamped onto the paper cards. You can even take a free souvenir card with you from the collection they have there.

Printer’s home

Inside the Printer’s home, connected to the workshop, you can see a young couple who has prepared a Christmas dinner typical of the 1840s. Many of the early Swedish celebrations were influenced by pagan festivals. These included a midwinter celebration called “Jul,” where the aim was to eat and drink well. They baked bread and drank ale, still apart of traditional Christmas celebrations today! In this scene, you might notice that there is no Christmas tree to be found. This is because the custom of a Christmas tree wouldn’t be imported to Sweden until the 1880s. 

Ironmonger & his Apartments

Besides, the cafe is the Ironmonger apartments. The ironmonger owns the hardware store in Skansen, located nearby inside an old building from 1930. He made goods for all the farmers, builders and households in town and therefore did quite well for himself and his family. His apartments are considered very modern for the 1930s. Inside, you can find all the mod-cons such as a water closet, electric stove and even a vacuum cleaner! During the Christmas season, his family is even baking cookies inside their brand new electrical oven!

During the winter holiday, you can visit the ironmonger’s apartment and see the family prepare their ice skating field trip with a packed lunch and warm clothing. In the ’30s, people started to have more leisure time to spend with their families. 

Co-Op Store

Be sure to step inside the Co-Op grocery store Konsum. This is a 1930’s recreation of where locals would come to buy everything from butter, margarine, beer, soft drinks and sweets. You can also still buy some of these items from the shop, such as Christmas cookies. During the 30s Sweden had begun to embrace cooperative solutions as a way of changing society. 

Herb Garden

Although there is not much to see in the Herb Garden during the winter, the view over Stockholm from this point is fantastic as it is one of the highest points in the park. Although it was a bit misty out when we visited, the eerie sight was still something to admire!

Café Petissan

If you feel the need to escape into the indoors’ warmth, head inside the Café Petissan. Here you can find all the traditional Swedish cakes, coffee and sweets your heart desires. You can try everything from; hot chocolate with whipped cream, freshly baked saffron bread, juicy chocolate cake, and their lovely gingerbread, a specialty in the winter. The Café Petissan was based on a real cafe that was popular with students from Stockholm University in the late 1800s. This quaint little shop gives you a sense of what dining as a bourgeois student would have felt like.

Apoteket Kronan

The Pharmacy or Apoteket Kronan isn’t perhaps the most “Christmassy” thing to do, but I’m a sucker for old pharmacies. Most of the items found in this shop are from the old royal pharmacy in Drottningholm, dating back to the latter half of the 18th century. During the colder months, people would come here frequently searching for remedies for their colds or sore throats. But back then, there wasn’t just a bottle at the ready with whatever you needed. In the 18th century, the pharmacist would have had to manually create a remedy from one of their ancient remedies. Everything from drugs, tinctures, ointments, powders, and pills was made in the dispensary laboratory.

Post Office

Stop by the Post Office to see delivery sacks filled to the brim with Christmas greetings! You can also find one of the traditional Yuletide trees decorated in the reception room. This building harkened from the early 20th century when Christmas trees were becoming en-vogue.

The Älvros Farmstead 

The Älvros Farmstead shows what life was like in Härjedalen, located in northern Sweden. Take note of the people’s clothing at the various farmsteads as they change depending on their location and period. During the weekends, you can enter the farm and see them preparing the traditional Yule goat, an old symbol for Christmas.

The Bakehouse

Stop inside the Bakehouse from Jämtland where the women inside are busy making barley meal and turning it into fresh flatbread. After coming inside, they will even offer you some free flatbread straight from the oven.

The Bollnäs House

The Bollnäs House was a building brought from Dalarna, a county is located in the middle of Sweden. This house has the most richly decorated interior. The walls are all handpainted, signifying that this building was of utmost importance. It was used to hold celebrations such as weddings, christenings and Christmas feasts. The different murals on the walls depict scenes from the bible.

The Forestry Center

The Forestry center is primarily an educational facility. It also functions as a workshop for children where they can make traditional Christmas decorations during the holidays. This is a great place to get out of the cold if your kids need a break, but be aware there is a small fee for the craft supplies.

Delsbo Farmstead

Delsbo Farmstead is a building from the 19th century from the Swedish province of Hälsingland. This area was famous for the flax that was grown in the countryside. This raw material was very lucrative as it was used to make beautiful textiles and linseed oil. Walking inside, you can see the Delsbo farmstead’s magnificent interior. Since they had a little more money than some of the other ranches, they could decorate their interior with unique wall paintings and gorgeously furnished rooms.

The entire Christmas table is laid out in the kitchen and dining room as it would have been on Christmas eve. The housewife is on hand to explain all the different cultural traditions incorporated into the food and dining.

In the living room, beside the hearth, fiddle players entertain guests with traditional Christmas music. We sat here, keeping warm and listening to the mesmerizing tunes. It was one of my favourite moments of the entire day.

Animal Enclosures

Reindeer

Continue walking north along the cobblestone paths towards the animal enclosures. Here you’ll find one of the most iconic Christmas animals, the reindeer! Every day at 12:30, you can stop by the pen to learn more about the park’s reindeer during their daily lectures. For instance, did you know that the hairs in the reindeer’s winter fur are hollow? This helps the reindeer keep warm all winter, so they do not need to hibernate.

Moose

Moose are another animal worth seeing while in Skansen due to their importance in Sweden. Sweden has a denser Moose population than any other country in the world. There are around 400,000 moose in Sweden. Just under one third will be culled annually during the autumn moose hunting season, as moose is a popular meat eaten throughout Sweden.

Stables

The stable near the Skansen Zoo is a great place to spot the Christmas Gnome, Tomte. He is known to take care of the animals in addition to being the symbol of Christmas for the Swedes. The horses are all decked out for Christmas with bells on their harnesses and red and white carriage.

Lill-Skansen

The Children’s Zoo or Lill-Skansen is an excellent place for the kids to play, but if you’re only a group of adults, it might be worth skipping. The Zoo has over 30 different animal species. The indoor area features small Scandinavian animals like toads, mice, guinea pigs, bunnies, goats and chickens. All of their cages were adorably decorated for Christmas, which was a nice little touch.

Bredablick Tower 

Behind the Lil, Zoon is the great Bredablick tower. This 30-metre high brick structure was one of the buildings built on the site based on historical references. The name of the tower, Bredablick, is the name of the Norse God Balder’s home.

There are pony rides available outside the Christmas holidays outside he twoer from 12 pm to 3 pm on weekends and from 1 pm to 2 pm on weekdays. They cost SEK 50 ($5.50 USD) each.

Seglora Church

The grand Seglora Church is from the 18th-century church from Västergötland. To this day, you can still rent out the church to have your weddings, christenings, and even host concerts—all for the right price that is.

At Christmas time the best part about visiting the church is the Christmas musical performances which take place here. The music schedule will be on the brochure upon entry but are around 1 pm and 2:30 pm. There is something so peaceful about listening to this old kind of music style in this ancient setting lit only by candlelight.

Christmas Market at Skansen

After wandering through the old farmhouses, you come out onto the Marknadsgatan or Market Street. Here is where you’ll find the incredible Skansen Christmas Market! Since its inception in 1903, Skansen’s Christmas Market has become a beloved holiday tradition for Swedes and tourists alike. During the winter, all sellers must all dress in traditional garb, making visiting the market feel all the most festive!

The number of stalls here was almost dizzying. But the very first item on our list we needed to check off was to grab ourselves a glass of Skansen’s specialty, Saffron 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. Here in Skansen, they add saffron to the wine, making it taste even more delicious. Glögg can be purchased by the glass at the market or even buy entire bottles to take home with you!

Eating at the Christmas Market

If you’re looking for something to eat, then you’ve come to the right place. There are both items to eat there in the park or bring home with you all with a distinctly Swedish Christmas flare! Taste traditional sausages,  holiday cheese, Skansen’s own handmade mustard, freshly made bread and cakes, sugared almonds, marzipan, crispbread, smoked turkey, jams and marmalades, more!

One of the most famous things to eat at Skansen is the Kolbullar. Kolbullar means “coal bun” as the dish is cooked over an open fire. They place cast iron pans on the bonfire and fry open a pancake covered with bacon and lingonberries (a local Swedish fruit). The batter bubbles away and steams like crazy in the freezing cold temperatures. After it’s finished cooking, it’s covered in brown sugar syrup. There is really nothing like it and so tasty!

View this post on Instagram

🎄#kolbulle #ölbryggning #skansenjulmarknad

A post shared by MiJo’s Goda (@mijos.goda) on

Shopping at the Christmas Market

If you’re looking to purchase some Christmas presents, the marketplace has you covered! There are all kinds of handicrafts, Swedish Christmas decorations, embroidery, leather goods, hand-knitted mittens, and one of a kind children’s books.

One fun little stall which I found in the market sold ‘mystery Christmas gifts.’ Each one cost 95 kr ($10 USD) and contained a secret gift. The items inside were all taken from the Skansen gift shop and related to the park itself or were Christmas themed. While most are valued at around 95, you might get lucky and pull a mystery item worth even more! These are great little surprises for both kids and adults alike! Plus, you can buy yourself a present and be able to still be surprised by what you find when you open it.

Be sure to try out the chocolate lottery! You buy a ticket, reach into the tombola to pull out a number and see if you won! You could get nothing but could also win a chocolate gift ranging from small chocolate coins to a colossal gift basket! These games made the market place feel like a giant funfair, and the jolly atmosphere it created was infectious.

Bollnäs Square

In front of the marketplace is a large square called Bollnäs square. This is where you’ll find the enormous Skansen Christmas tree. Throughout the day, there are performances on stage by musicians in traditional attire. You can get into the spirit of the holidays and dance around the Christmas tree. Swedes dance hand in hand, in a circle around the tree as they sing.

Oktorp Farmstead

​​The Oktorp farmstead (Oktorpsgården) from Halland shows what a farm in the flat countryside looked like in the 1870s. As the room appears at Skansen, it has been decorated for a festive occasion. It’s Christmas Eve around 1870, and the family is about to sit down for their dinner. The wall and ceiling are hung with woven linen cloths. The cloths are painted with biblical motifs and used for special occasions.

Farm Labourer’s Cottage

The Farm Labourer’s Cottage is an example of the more impoverished families who lived in Sweden in the 1900s. This small one-room cottage was inhabited by a large family. Despite the family being slow, they still celebrated Christmas in their own unique way.

Vala School 

Across the Farm Labourers Cottage, you’ll find Vala School. This school building dates back to the 19th century when a law was passed requiring school-aged children to attend class all across Sweden. A Christmas party is held inside the school for one week before Christmas, where children can decorate gingersnap cookies.

Galejan Fairground 

Market Weekends. Swings and roundabouts for small children. Galejan is the most charming funfair with swings and roundabouts for small children.

Stora Gungan Tavern

I would highly recommend booking a reservation at Stora Gungan Tavern to eat an early dinner before you leave. Inside this traditional tavern, built-in 1880, you can sample a traditional Swedish Christmas Smorgasbord. This includes rye bread topped with everything from pickled red onions, cold-smoked salmon, cod, egg, shrimps, and more. You can sip on carrot and ginger soup with a side of Christmas crispbread. For the main course, try the Swedish staple, meatballs with lingonberry jam, horseradish, cream sauce, cucumber, potatopurée. For dessert, sample their Skansen Pastry!

Christmas at Skansen is such a joy to visit, and just wandering the streets here brought a smile to my face! I hope you enjoyed your guided tour, and you left the park filled with the Christmas spirit!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Skansen before or what you’re most looking forward to during their Christmas celebrations.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Skansen’s Historic Christmas Market in Stockholm [UPDATED 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/why-you-need-to-visit-skansens-historic-christmas-in-stockholm/feed/ 0 17484 The Ultimate Guide to Stockholm’s Magical Christmas Markets [UPDATED 2022] https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-visiting-stockholms-christmas-markets/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-ultimate-guide-to-visiting-stockholms-christmas-markets https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-visiting-stockholms-christmas-markets/#respond Sat, 22 Aug 2020 10:30:00 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=17241 Here is your ultimate guide of where to find the Best Christmas Markets in Stockholm, what to buy and what to eat!

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

]]> My entire life as an avid traveller I had never managed to get away during the Christmas holidays. For one reason or another, nothing ever lined up. Usually, it was because I had run out of vacation days in my work schedule by the end of the year. Or I had too many family obligations I couldn’t miss. But last year, with one of my good friends moving away to Sweden, I managed to cobble together enough days around the Christmas holidays to fly out to Stockholm! I had DREAMED of going to a European Christmas market for ages. Pinterest boards full of snowy timber huts lit by twinkle lights filled my imagination until I finally saw one for myself.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-visiting-stockholms-christmas-markets/feed/ 0 17241