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. 

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

About the Lights

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.

When Can you See the Lights?

The Christmas lights are turned on Saturday November 12th at 3 pm in Kungsträdgården. They are taken down around January 13th, so you have plenty of time to see them. The lights come on every day at 2:00 pm. While this might seem early to you, the days get dark very dark early in Sweden. B by 2:00 pm, it’s dark enough for the lights to be seen. The lights generally get shut off around 10pm. But I found that they were left on for later in some areas—especially the most populated shopping streets.

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Accessibility

The guided walking tour is located along city streets and is easily accessible to everyone. Because the lights are all located outside of the old town, this means you won’t need to go over cobblestone or down steep staircases. For the most part, the entire walking path is smooth, and some streets are entirely pedestrian-only.

How Long Will it Take to Explore?

The walking tour should be done at a leisurely pace. While we have specific stops marked along the way, you’ll discover your own unique treasures and hidden gems along the path. Take your time and explore everything you see! But in general, the walking tour should last about two-three hours. That’s enough time to explore but not so long as you get too cold. Be sure to stop into coffee shops and cafes along the route. The perfect way to warm up from the cold.

Stockholm’s Christmas Lights Walk

Operakällaren

Start your walking tour on the south-east tip of the lights map, in front of the Operakällaren. The Operakällaren is one of Stockholm’s oldest restaurants, opening its door to the public in 1787. It quickly became one of the hottest places in the city, frequented by some of the most exciting artists and politicians. Today it is still one of the most exclusive restaurants in town, and as such a flush place, it really goes all out on its Christmas decor.

The restaurant’s ceiling is replete with hanging star lanterns, which can be seen from the street level. These paper lights are one of the oldest Swedish traditional pieces of decor. They originally were thought to represent the Star of Bethlehem and are so popular that Ikea sells them year-round worldwide. Outside of the restaurant is a gorgeous evergreen display that recreates the image of the great Swedish Gävle Goats pulling a Christmas sleigh.

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NK / Nordiska Kompaniet 

Before heading to the east, we are taking a quick detour over to the NK building. NK or Nordiska Kompaniet is a top-rated department store in Sweden, and visiting their Christmas window displays are on the top of the list of seasonal traditions for local residents. The Christmas displays have been ongoing since 1915! One of the ways in which NK’s windows are different from other shop displays is that they are geared solely towards children! They genuinely strive to ensure the displays are installed at a low level. This way kids can see everything as they walk by and don’t need anyone’s assistance to see the scene.

Many other stores also have brand commitments that need to be met for the store windows, which results in the scenes being a little ham-fisted. But NK’s are devoid of branding and are more dedicated to a good-old-fashioned Swedish Christmas. If you have time to pop inside, you’ll be treated to a 4-storey tall Christmas tree!

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Head into Kungsträdgården

From the Operakällaren, head into the magical parkland of Kungsträdgården. Kungsträdgården is Swedish for “King’s Garden” but was initially built in 1430 as the King’s cabbage garden! In 1454 the park was expanded into a royal Baroque pleasure garden. Pleasure gardens were all the rage in the baroque era as they provided a place of recreation and entertainment for the public in the name of the King. A great way to stirrup publicity for the monarchy.

Walking into the park, the first things you’ll be in awe of are the dozens and dozens of linden trees lining your entrance to the park dressed up in Christmas lights. It’s like walking into a dream.

In the middle of the park is where you’ll find the circular ice skating rink. The rink is free and open to all! You just need a pair of skates which are available for rental. *Due to Covid 19 restriction, skate rental is closed for 2020. The rink is open from late November once the weather is cold enough for the ice to keep frozen and closes around the beginning of March. The rink’s hours are Weekdays 9 am-8 pm, weekends 10 am-6 pm. Even if you don’t want to skate, the ring is beautifully decorated and playing charming Christmas music you can dance to while watching the skaters whizz by.

Towards the northern end of the park is where you can find the tremendous royal deer. These 20 ft. tall deers are some of the first sculptural light displays we will see along the tour. These are called the “royal” deer not only because they are in the King’s park but because of their very regal stance. With their heads held high and nose in the air, they definitely look noble.

Grazing Moose along Nybrogatan

At the end of the park, you’ll come to Hamngatan, turn right and walk along till you come to Nybrogatan. Many of the streets in Stockholm end in “gatan,” and that is because “gatan” translates into “street”. On the corner of Nybrogatan and Hamngatan is Berzelii Park. Walking along the eastern side of the park is a herd of moose. No, they aren’t real moose; they are a series of lit sculptures. One of the reasons that moose are such an important symbol in Sweden is because there are more moose in Sweden per square kilometre than any other country in the world!

While you might think these moose are oversized, just like the royal deer we saw previously, moose are truly enormous creatures. They can grow up to 7 ft tall up to the shoulder with the large antlers stretching upwards of another foot or two. The male bulls can weigh up to a whopping 1870 pounds!!! While there are about 400,000 moose in Sweden, 100,000 are culled every year during hunting season to control the population. This culling results in moose meat being eaten and sold all over Sweden, making it one of their most iconic dishes.

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Birger Jarlsgatan

Walk north up Birger Jarlsgatan to the corner of Birger Jarlsgatan and Smålandsgatan. This building contains the corporate offices of Bain & Company. They have sponsored the lightning of the building with a giant red bow charmingly hanging off the facade. It’s so simple and yet so eye-catching.

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Norrmalmstorg 

Walk west along Smålandsgatan to Norrmalmstorg (storg means square). Norrmalmstorg was made famous in 1973 as the renowned robbery site, which resulted in events giving the world the saying “Stockholm syndrome.” But at Christmas time, the square has a somewhat more upbeat tone. In the center of the square stands one of the largest Christmas trees, all lit up with white lights.

One of the most significant differences I found between Swedish Christmas decor and North American decorations was simplicity. Instead of packing the trees with multicoloured lights and a million ornaments, most of the Christmas trees on display in the street were just filled with white lights and nothing more. Even the multitude of Christmas lights in the city stuck mainly to white, red and silver in terms of colours. While some people might think this restrained themeing might be boring, I found the uniformity calming and almost more natural. Like the lights bloomed on the trees like magic. The Brasserie vau de Ville is also located in the center of the square. It always has an elegant splay of decor lighting up the restaurant at night.

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Biblioteksgatan

Directly north of the square is the street Biblioteksgatan. Biblioteksgatan, which means “Library Street” in Swedish, is a street that culminates at the National Royal Library of Sweden and Humlegården. This pedestrian-only street is home to some of the most luxurious brand name stores, and the rent along the road is some of the highest in Stockholm. What this means for you is that most of these stores have some of the most fantastic windows displays set up for Christmas. It makes peering into the window some great fun.

Above your head, as you walk, a series of beautiful wreaths all lit up for the holidays. I absolutely love how they were swagged up and down the street, making it feel cozy and warm.

Norrlandsgatan

Continue walking along Biblioteksgatan until you get to Mäster Samuelsgatan. From there, turn left, and walk until you get to Norrlandsgatan. Norrlandsgatan is famous for being the location of one of Stockholm’s greatest unsolved mysteries. Restaurant Fontainebleau was one of the most popular restaurants in Stockholm in 1982 but was bombed on New Years’ ever, obliterating it. No one was ever convicted for the blast, and still to this day, it remains a puzzle. Norrlandsgatan is decorated for Christmas in these giant hearts, which are covered in lights and filled with enormous red bauble ornaments. It’s definitely the most romantic of the streets and an excellent place for an amorous stroll.

Jakobsbergsgatan

Walk north along Norrlandsgatan until you reach Jakobsbergsgatan and turn left. Jakobsbergsgatan is another pedestrian-only street known for its festive street decor throughout the year. Interestingly the street is home to many architects’ offices. During Christmastime, the road is hung with modern circular lamps with little star cutouts around the circumference. Crawling out from the center of the lamps are branches covered in twinkle lights. These are certainly the most interesting and almost abstract designs of all the Christmas lights. I wonder if the architects around this neighbourhood have anything to do with the more conceptual design of these Christmas decorations.

Regeringsgatan

Upon reaching Regeringsgatan, turn north and walk along the street, looking upwards at the blue snowballs hanging from the sky. Regeringsgatan is one of the oldest streets in Stockholm and was once one of the most critical trade roads. Providing access for travelling merchants to Stockholm’s waterways.

Kungsgatan

As we travel along Regeringsgatan, we finally come to the northernmost point on our tour, Kungsgatan. Kungsgatan means “King’s Street” in Swedish. Many of the most elegant buildings along this street were built in the early 1900s. But before this period of revitalization, the road was more famously known as being a red light district! Today, it is full of famous brands and some of the largest congregation of cinemas in the city. The street was also the site of Stockholm’s first traffic lights, which were installed in 1925! Today the traffic lights help you cross the street and take adorable pictures set amongst the amazing Christmas lights on the road. 

The first thing you’ll see when you approach Regeringsgatan is the excellent Bridge of Regeringsgatan, built in 1911. The bridges are some of the best-decorated spots on the street as they are absolutely dripped in lights! Along the rest of the road are vast swags of evergreens lit up with a large shining star in the center.

As we approach Malmskillnadsgatan and the sizeable arched bridge, look up to see the giant Kungstorn or King’s Towers! These towers are 60 meters tall and flank either side of Malmskillnadsbron. The buildings were built in 1919 and 1924 and are considered the first modern skyscrapers in Europe!

Sergels Torg

Turn down Sveavägen and walk south until you reach Sergels Torg. Sergels Torg or Sergel’s Square is a circular pedestrian plaza named after 18th-century sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel. Segel once lived here and worked just north of the square. In the center of the square is the enormous obelisk which looks down over the people and car circling the square. The obelisk lights up throughout the day and is usually coloured red for Christmas.

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In the recessed area of the plaza, which you can look down on from above or walk down the stairs to access, is a charming little family of moose grazing in a beautiful Christmas light encrusted forest. New to 2020 is an adorable set up where you can get your photo taken inside the faces of various Tomten! Tomten is the Swedish Christmas gnome who is said to live under people’s houses. On Christmas, even you must leave him something to eat to protect yourself from his mischief! He is a lovable creature that is more prominent to the Swedes than the North American Santa Claus image.

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Klarabergsgatan

Walk west along Klarabergsgatan, where you will be delighted by an awning of falling icicle lights. It’s like walking through a sparkling snowstorm but one that doesn’t hurt your face!

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Åhléns City

Another popular department store that always has beautiful Christmas decor on its facade is Åhléns City. Åhléns City is one of my favourite places to shop for Christmas decorations if you don’t have time to buy any at the outdoor markets.

Sergelgatan

Backtrack to Drottninggatan, but turn right down Mäster Samuelsgatan and then north along Sergelgatan. Segelgatan is the same street we view from above before, but this is the street’s sunken part. This area is decorated with hanging red ornaments on golden strings.

Hötorget

At the end of the street, you’ll exit out into the Hötorget square. Hötorget is one of the most central squares in the city as it is where three major roads meet; Sergelgatan, Gamla Brogatan and Kungsgatan. The Hötorget means name Haymarket. Even now, the square serves as a fruit and vegetable market during the day, and on Sundays, there is a large flea market. On the north-east corner of the square is the Royal Concert hall, with its stately pillars of light which are always beaming at Christmas time. The Nobel Prize Concert is held every year inside the Concert Hall and honours the current year’s Nobel Laureates.

Drottninggatan

Head west over to Drottninggatan. This gorgeous pedestrian-only shopping street is named Drottninggatan or Queen street. When it was first built in 1630 is was called “King’s Street” but was renamed Queen Street after Queen Christina, who ruled from 1632 to 1654.

For such a royal road, there is only one option for decorations; regal twinkling chandeliers! Marking the entry and exit to the walkable street are four great lions guarding the entrances. One of Stockholm’s oldest pharmacies, Apotek Ugglan, is located here and has been for over 200 years!

Gamla Brogatan

Backtrack a little bit along Drottninggatan to walk west along Gamla Brogatan. This is one of my favourite streets in this part of town. Gamla Brogatan was initially called. Gamla Kungsholmsbrogatan and was first established in 1637. While the road is narrow and pretty quiet, there are so many buildings along here which have such exciting architecture. Hanging above your heads as you walk are beautiful giant pine cones, glittering in the moonlight.

Stockholms Centralstation

When you come to Vasaplan, walk south along the street until you reach Stockholms Centralstation. While most of the building’s exterior is decorated, the best part is the door to the far south. Here you can find the large arch with enormous hanging mistletoe—the perfect place to steal a kiss with the one you love.

If you have time to step inside, you’ll be amazed at the Christmas lights that cover the train station’s entirety. Walking around here feels like a fairytale come true.

Järnvägsparken

Just south of Centralstation is the Järnvägsparken overpass. One of the loveliest parts of the decor along this part of the city is the fact that the light reflects down into the water, creating the most lovely mirrored effect.

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Tegelbacken

In the small plaza of Tegelbacken, look up high to the lamp posts where you’ll find a series of lit angels blowing trumpets

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Brunkebergstorg

Walk east until you reach Malmtorgsgatan and then veer off to the right until you reach Brunkebergstorg. This sizeable inner-city square is home to two beautiful deer, which are the dominating piece of decor in this part of town. In front of the Gallerian building are two 30 ft tall deer standing proud. But instead of antlers, a beautiful spray of tree branches explodes from their head. They are so stunning and set against the darkness of the night really makes an impact.

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Norrbro

Finally, head back down south to Norrbro. Norrbro or “North Bridge” is an arch bridge over Norrström. The bridge extends out from the Royal Palace and the Riksdag building. It was designed by the city architect Erik Palmstedt (1741–1803) in a neoclassical style.

Since the buildings located on the other side of the bridge are for the royal family, the decorations along the bridge are huge chandeliers topped with golden stars like a crown.

I hope you enjoyed the tour, it’s really one of the best ways to explore the city and you’ll see so many beautiful sights in Stockholm along the way!

Happy Travels Adventurers.

The post Ultimate Self-Guided Tour of Stockholm’s Christmas Lights first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.