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Despite the somewhat oppressive darkness during this time, December is a magical month in Sweden, with its deeply rooted traditions and unique winter atmosphere. Stockholm, the capital, is the perfect place to discover the Christmas culture through its authentic markets. The city and its surroundings light up to offer visitors unique Christmas markets, each with its own personality, duration, and unforgettable atmosphere.
Here’s an overview of the best markets to explore in December 2024.
1. Stortorget Julmarknad - The Historic Christmas Market in the Old Town (Gamla Stan)
The Stortorget Christmas Market, located in the heart of Gamla Stan, is the oldest in Sweden. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it has been a traditional and almost iconic market since the 19th century, with its small red wooden huts and picturesque setting, attracting visitors from around the world every year.
You can find local craftsman offering handmade items, wooden Christmas decorations and Swedish culinary specialties such as glögg (spiced mulled wine), Christmas ham, and pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies), among others. Every day, a magical atmosphere reigns and if there’s snow, the setting becomes a true fairy tale backdrop.
- Dates: From November 23 to December 23, 2024
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
- Price: Free
- Access: Easily accessible by metro (Gamla Stan) or on foot from the city center
2. Skansen Julmarknad - The Skansen Christmas Market
Skansen, the famous open-air museum in the city of Stockholm, also organizes its own Christmas market, offering a journey back in time with demonstrations of traditional crafts, Christmas carols, and folk dances. In addition to shopping, visitors can discover Swedish traditions, see Nordic animals and even participate in workshops for making candles and gingerbread. This market, larger than the previous one, charges an entrance fee (the park entrance is increased on these days) and has been held since 1903.
Unlike the Old Town market, which is open every day, this one is only open during the 4 Advent weekends between November 29 and December 22. There are many more activities available for children and childlike grownups: gift fishing as well as wrapped gifts to choose from and ready to give. In the central square, there is a large Christmas tree around which everybody can dance and sing together, creating a very family-friendly atmosphere.
- Dates: Advent weekends (November 29 to December 22, 2024), friday-saturday-sunday
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Price: 265 SEK for adults / 245 SEK for students and seniors / 80 SEK for children up to 15 years
- Access: Tram or bus (Skansen) to Djurgården Island
- Website: see all information in English here
3. Kungsträdgården - Christmas Market and Ice Rink
Kungsträdgården is one of the most festive places in december with its outdoor ice rink, Christmas performances and a beautifully lit market. This market, which takes place only on November 30, has been organized by the city of Stockholm since 1980 and offers a variety of Christmas items, handmade jewelry, Swedish wool scarves and hats, and food stalls where you can taste local specialties, perfect for warming up. At the market, you will find unique Christmas gifts directly from the students of the city’s schools. Many of the products are created by the young people themselves, who run their own businesses with real products throughout the school year.
Julmarknad i Kungsträdgården - Foto: Gustav Eriksson
Ung Företagsamhet is a politically independent educational organization that is non-profit and collaborates with the city of Stockholm to organize this market. It offers children and young people the opportunity to exercise and develop their creativity, business sense, and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Dates: November 30
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (ice rink open until 9:00 PM)
- Price: Free
- Access: Kungsträdgården Metro (blue line)
- Special Activity: Outdoor skating in an enchanting setting
4. Konstfack Julmarknad – The Christmas Market of Konstfack (Art School)
Konstfack is one of the largest and most prestigious schools of art, design, and crafts in Sweden. It offers courses in visual arts, industrial design, graphic design, interior design, textile design, and art education. Since 2004, the school has organized its famous Christmas market on the first Advent weekend, featuring two days of conviviality, art, and design.
This annual event, which highlights the work of students and graduates from the school, offers a variety of artistic creations and design products. It has become a must-visit for anybody searching for unique objects and wishing to support the work of young creators in the process. If you are looking for original Christmas gifts, this is the perfect place!
- Dates: November 30 and December 1
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Price: 25 SEK
- Access: Telefonplan Metro
5. Hornstull Julmarknad – The Christmas Market of Hornstull
Hornstulls Marknad (the Hornstull market), located on the bohemian island of Södermalm, has been organized by the company Glad Stad (Happy City) since 2015. Their motto is: we work to create a happier city through ideas coming directly from those who live there. Their market is famous throughout the year for its thrift shops and vintage boutiques, which attract many fashion enthusiasts searching for unique pieces.
Every year, during the 4 Advent weekend, they organize their very popular Christmas market, taking place alongside the canal in the Hornstull district along the canal. This market offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, with stalls from local crafters selling handmade products, food, hot drinks, Christmas decorations, and other typical items of this festive season.
- Dates: Advent weekends (November 29 to December 22, 2024)
- Hours: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Hornstull subway
6. Filmstaden Julmarknad - Christmas Market at Filmstaden
Filmstaden, also known as Filmstaden Råsunda, is an iconiclocation for the Swedish cinema located in the suburb of Solna, near Stockholm. Founded in 1919 by Swedish industrialist Charles J. A. Bergström, this film production studio has become the heart of the Swedish film industry. Throughout the year, they organize various events: guided tours of the site, allowing visitors to learn more about the history of Swedish cinema and the directors who made their mark during that era, as well as film screenings, of course.
Every year since 2017, Filmstaden has organized its classic Christmas market at a site rich in cinematic history, with parallel activities (tours, screenings, performances) that allow visitors to discover the place where Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman made their debuts as film stars, and where directors like Victor Sjöström and Ingmar Bergman created cinematic classics. In addition to selling food, films, art, and all kinds of objects, there will be a special atmosphere linked to the place itself.
- Dates: December 8, 2024
- Hours: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Nackrosen Metro, Filmstaden exit
7. Skeppsholmsgårdens Julmarknad
Organized since 2015, the 3rd Advent weekend on the island of Skeppsholmen, this Christmas market is focusing on the 2water and craftsmanship" theme. Blacksmiths, jewelers, and other artisans will gather for a unique Christmas market at the Skeppsholmen site, the former naval base of Stockholm.
The quay will be decorated with pine branches and bonfires will be lit. Hot drinks and simple dishes will be available for sale both inside and outside.
- Dates: December 14-15, 2024
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Bus 65
8. Vintermarknad hos The Viking Museum – Viking Museum Winter Market
The annual winter market at the Viking Museum will be held in front of the Museum on November 30 and December 1, 2024. The event will bring together exhibitors from various backgrounds who will showcase and sell crafts related to the Viking era.
It’s the perfect opportunity to buy historical Christmas gifts or simply to warm up by the fire with a glass of mulled wine. There will also be food options and historical musical performances by the group Galt.
- Dates: November 30 and December 1, 2024
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Tram Lilevachs / Gröna Lund
9. Sigtuna Julmarknad - The Sigtuna Christmas Market
Located an hour from Stockholm, Sigtuna is one of the oldest towns in Sweden and offers an authentic and traditional Christmas market, with local artisans, delicious pastries, and activities for children.
Julmarknad i Sigtuna stad. Foto: Frida Lenholm/Destination Sigtuna
Sweden's first town, with its cobblestone streets, creates a magical and perfect setting for a family or friends' day out. In addition to our traditional Christmas market along Stora Gatan, you will also find exhibitors and food area along the lake promenade. Each market day has its own program of activities.
- Dates: December 1, 8, 15, and 22
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Local train and bus
- Website: All information can be found on the site here (in Swedish)
10. Vaxholm Julmarknad – The Vaxholm Christmas Market
Vaxholm, a charming town in the Stockholm archipelago, is famous for its picturesque atmosphere and fortress. In December, Vaxholm adorns itself with beautiful decorations to host its Christmas market, offering a unique experience just an hour by boat from the capital. This Christmas market, held in the town hall square (Rådhustorget), is perfect for those wishing to discover Swedish traditions in an enchanting maritime setting, where craftsmanship, local specialties, and festive spirit come together.
The stalls offer a variety of handmade craft items, handmade Christmas decorations, candles, and typical products from the archipelago such as smoked fish and local preserves.
- Dates: December 7 and 8, 2024
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Price: Free
- Access: Accessible by boat (Waxholm Bolaget) : depart from Strömkajen pier or by metro/bus from central Stockholm take the red metro line to Danderyds sjukhus, and bus 670 to Vaxholm for those who prefer land transport.
- Website: More information in English here
Finally, here are our tips for making the most of the Christmas markets in Stockholm:
- 1. Warm clothing: In December, Stockholm can be very cold, so dress warmly to enjoy each market comfortably.
- 2. Cash and cards: Although Sweden is highly digitized, some small stalls only accept cash.
- 3. Arrive early: The most popular markets can be crowded. Arriving early allows you to enjoy the peaceful morning atmosphere.
- 4. Taste the local specialties: Don't miss the glögg and pepparkakor, must-haves during Swedish Christmas festivities!
