At the Stockholm Christmas Market, you can visit at least five unique markets during a festive weekend trip.
Start with the oldest and most picturesque market in Gamla Stan to experience Stockholm’s holiday atmosphere, complemented by sightseeing and sampling Swedish delicacies.
Full details for the 2024 event and what to expect follow.
Stockholm Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Unconfirmed
Stockholm Christmas Market dates: 24th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in August. Check back around that time for confirmed dates, or sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they’re available.
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Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Gamla Stan.
Opening times: 11am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Stockholm is a spread out city. Take a city tour when you first arrive to get your bearings.
Winter events: Christmas carols or build your own gingerbread house event.
Plan your trip: Resources to plan your Christmas holiday or winter break.
Stockholm weather in winter: Temperatures average 2°C / -1°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Hotel At Six is an excellent hotel near Gamla Stan.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, in Stockholm but not in Gamla Stan.
Reason to visit: Visit for a white Christmas, beautiful natural landscapes and exceptional museums.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten free: Yes, but limited.
Specialties: Glögg, Swedish dinner buffet, fika.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
Stockholm is spread out over several islands and many districts. Gamla Stan is a beautiful old town area and the location of the main Christmas market.
But as this area is relatively small and often crowded at this time of year, I suggest staying just outside of Gamla Stan. You’ll still be able to walk to the markets, but you’ll have easier access to other attractions.
I suggest staying at Hotel At Six, which is in a great area for sightseeing and a short distance to the market.
For further details on places to stay in Stockholm, refer to my hotel guide.
Recommended Tours
If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm, I suggest taking a walking tour to experience the city’s highlights.
During a city tour of Stockholm, you’ll have the chance to visit iconic landmarks and attractions, like the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral and scenic spots in Gamla Stan.
Alternatively, you could book this food tour, where you’ll be introduced to the local culture through traditional Swedish cuisine. I highly recommend a food tour!
Location Map
Christmas in Stockholm
Watch the Video
Coming soon: A video from last year’s event.
Food Specialties
Swedish Christmas markets differ greatly from classic European markets, focusing on unique Nordic specialties.
- Meatballs – You must try the most classic of all Swedish dishes, meatballs. These are nothing like what you might have tried in your home country. In Stockholm, you can get vegetarian and vegan meatballs and traditional meat varieties.
- Julbord – Look out for julbord, a classic Swedish buffet dinner during the Christmas holiday period. It’s an interesting tradition worth investigating.
- Hot glögg – Glögg is the Swedish version of mulled wine. An old-fashioned glögg recipe typically includes port, bourbon and white rum, seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom and maybe cloves, dried orange peel, raisins and sugar.
- Swedish fika – Fika is not a Christmas tradition, but it is a Swedish tradition worth enjoying on a daily basis, in my opinion! Fika involves meeting with friends or family for an afternoon coffee and cake or pastry. You would typically have it at a bakery, but you can indulge at many cafes too. Swedish pastries are incredible, and Stockholm has countless bakeries with the most amazing sweets you’ll ever see. Definitely leave room for this.
- Gingerbread – Like in Germany, Sweden is famous for its gingerbread; you can find it in most markets in Stockholm.
- Sweets and candy – Stortorget, the main market in Gamla Stan, is famous for its sweets, including caramel, marzipan, chocolate wheels, waffles and cotton candy.
Personal Insights
During my Christmas visit to Stockholm, its breathtaking natural beauty and archipelago stood out.
Walking around, I discovered the city’s rich history packed into a small area, feeling that even five days weren’t enough to see everything.
A highlight was Fotografiska, where I saw Sebastião Salgado’s impactful exhibition of social documentary photography. If you’re even remotely interested in photography or art, I recommend visiting.
Things to Do in Winter
- Skansen Open-Air Museum Christmas Market: Hosts a traditional Christmas market with crafts, food, and historical displays, showing how Swedes celebrated Christmas in the past.
- Winter Lights at Djurgården: As one of Stockholm’s most beloved parks, Djurgården transforms into a winter wonderland with its Winter Lights display. This event features artistically designed light installations that light up the park’s paths, trees, and buildings.
- Royal Palace: One of Europe’s largest palaces with over 600 rooms, open to the public and housing five museums, including the Royal Armory, the Treasury, and the Royal Apartments.
- City Hall and Tower: The tower have stunning views of Stockholm’s islands and historic old town, providing a panoramic view of the city.
- Fotografiska: A leading photography museum featuring regular and temporary exhibitions from established and emerging photographers.
- ABBA Museum: Dedicated to the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA, providing an immersive experience into their music and popularity.
- Drottningholm Palace: The permanent residence of the Swedish royal family and a World Heritage Site, open all year with its palace and gardens showcasing Swedish history and culture.
- Vasa Museum: Scandinavia’s most visited museum, home to the perfectly preserved 17th-century ship Vasa, including its art treasures, highlighting Sweden’s maritime history.
- Ice Skating at Kungsträdgården: This central outdoor rink becomes a hub of activity thanks to its free skating in a picturesque setting.
- Archipelago Excursions: Winter ferry rides to the Stockholm archipelago reveal serene snowy landscapes and offer peaceful retreats from city life, with opportunities for winter hiking and cosying up in waterfront cabins.
- Nordic Museum’s Winter Exhibitions: This museum, dedicated to the cultural history and ethnography of Sweden, has winter-themed exhibitions that give insights into the traditions, crafts, and lifestyle of the Nordic people during the colder months. You can explore displays that show how Swedes have historically coped with long winters, including traditional holiday celebrations, winter sports, and home life.
Official Website
For more things to do in Stockholm in December, go to Visit Stockholm, the official website for tourism in Stockholm. They have the latest information on dates for 2024.
Sustainable Travel Tips
Implementing some of these simple sustainability measures can help create a positive impact while enjoying your visit.
- Shop mindfully at the markets, and only purchase what you need. This will help reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of your visit.
- Consider walking, cycling, or using public transportation to get around Stockholm. This will help reduce your carbon footprint and limit traffic congestion at this busy time of year.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy. Stockholm has many eco-friendly hotel options that are both comfortable and environmentally conscious.
- When choosing your accommodation, consider staying in a hotel instead of a short-stay apartment. This can help alleviate the affordable housing crisis for locals and support the local economy.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic when possible.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible. Stockholm is known for its vibrant food scene, and choosing locally sourced organic food helps support the local economy and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Consider limiting your consumption of meat and dairy products. This can help reduce the carbon emissions associated with animal agriculture and support more sustainable food systems.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas. Many hidden gems in Stockholm are worth discovering. Visiting less popular areas helps alleviate overcrowding and support local businesses.
- Support the arts and attend local events. Stockholm has a thriving arts and culture scene, and attending local events is an excellent way to support the local community.
If you’re considering visiting Stockholm or Sweden during the winter months, it’s important to remember that it can get quite cold.
However, the country’s unique winter landscapes, combined with the charm of its winter events and festivities, make it a worthwhile experience for those prepared for the weather.
Remember, there are other holiday markets in Stockholm, including the well-known Skansen Christmas Market.
If you visited Stockholm in December or Christmas in Sweden and would like to share your experience, comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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