Events & Festivals

Few cities embrace the festive spirit as wholeheartedly as the Swedish capital. The Stockholm Christmas Market is not just a solitary affair but a series of gatherings that appear across the Scandinavian metropolis.

Stockholm Christmas Market – Gamla Stan

The main draw is the Christmas market in Gamla Stan, the medieval old town, which is itself much like a scene out of a traditional festive fable.

Also called Stortorgets Christmas Market as it’s held in Stortorget square, close to the Royal Palace, expect small red stalls to appear offering smoked sausages, Swedish Christmas sweets, a range of Swedish handicrafts and, naturally, some glögg (mulled wine). This most traditional of the Stockholm Christmas markets is open daily from 23 November to 23 December from 11am to 6pm.

Other Christmas Markets in Stockholm

But Gamla Stan is not the only Stockholm Christmas Market. Indeed the largest Christmas market in Sweden is held at Taxinge Castle in Nykvarn to the north of the capital, from 22 to 24 November, with some 130 stalls.

The English Church at Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 14 will host the annual Winter Book Fair and Seasonal Café on 23 November (11am to 3pm), with hundreds of second-hand books and seasonal baked offerings.

For a more royal Christmas fair head to the Royal Stables Christmas Market from 28 November to 1 December. In addition to featuring some of the finest crafts from around Sweden, the Royal Stables, coach sheds and harness room will be open to the public for the duration of the weekend.

Another popular Christmas market is held at the Skansen Open Air Museum on several dates from 30 November to 14 December. Head here for Skansen’s own mustard.

Other Christmas markets and seasonal events in Stockholm worth popping in on include Rosendals Gardens and the Gingerbread house exhibition at Arkdes (29 November to 5 January, 2020).

Other Things to Do in Stockholm

The Swedish capital is a wonderful city that comes to live at Christmas time. For more inspiration read our Things to Do in Stockholm: Gamla Stan, Boats and Cool Bars. Alternatively, try out the excellent Stockholm craft beer scene.

Hotels in Stockholm

There are plenty of hotels in Stockholm, depending on your budget. Our personal favourite is Downtown Camper, but if you are looking for accommodation in Stockholm then we suggest you try our booking form below.

Getting to Stockholm

Stockholm has almost as many airports than Christmas markets with a great network throughout Europe and across the World. Budget airlines, such as Ryanair, tend to use Skvasta and Västerås airports, whereas long hauls go to Arlanda airport. Flygbussarna runs buses to and from the airports to Stockholm City Terminal in the heart of the city.

Alternatively you could also benefit from Sweden’s excellent rail service and take the train.

More information on Stockholm Christmas Markets

For more information on times, locations and what to expect, go to the Visit Stockholm website’s events page. All photos courtesy of Visit Stockholm, cover photo Henri Trygg.