Stockholm Christmas Market 2024: Gamla Stan Dates

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 – Confirmed

Stockholm dates: 23rd November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).

Update: This year’s schedule was released in October. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.

Source: Information obtained directly from the organiser is available here.

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 and 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.
Lights: Switch-on: 16th November at Kungsträdgården. Light display are across 40 streets and squares. Download the map.
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 event.

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 have easier access to other attractions.

I suggest staying at Hotel At Six, which is in a great area for sightseeing and is a short distance from the market.

For further details on places to stay, refer to my list of convenient hotels in Stockholm.

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 to introduce you to the local culture through traditional Swedish cuisine. I highly recommend a food tour!

Location Map

What to Expect

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. 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 – Although fika is not a holiday tradition, it’s 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 winter visit to Stockholm, its breathtaking natural beauty and archipelago stood out more than anything.

Walking around, I discovered the city’s rich history packed into a small area, and I felt 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. I recommend visiting if you’re even remotely interested in photography or art.

Things to Do in Winter

• Skansen Open-Air Museum Christmas Market: Hosts a traditional winter market with crafts, food, and historical displays, that show how Swedes celebrated Christmas in the past.
• Winter Lights at Djurgården: 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 illuminating 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, it is open all year and features a palace and gardens that showcase Swedish history and culture.
• Vasa Museum: Scandinavia’s most visited museum, home to the preserved 17th-century ship Vasa, including its art treasures.
• 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.

Sustainable Travel Tips

• Shop mindfully at the markets and only purchase what you need. This will help reduce waste and limit your visit’s environmental impact.
• 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.
• Consider staying in a hotel instead of a short-stay apartment when choosing your accommodation. 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 winter, keep in mind that it can get very 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, Stockholm has other winter markets, including the well-known Skansen winter event, which is great for gift shopping.

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.