Christmas by design: Unmissable markets in Sweden and Denmark

Join Charlotte West on a tour of the best Christmas markets for design products in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Cophenhagen.

• Christmas shopping: Swedish design online (12 Dec 08)

See also: Photo Gallery: Christmas Design markets

When it comes to Swedish Christmas markets, you pretty much know what to expect after you've been to Skansen or Stortorget in Stockholm's Old Town. Always charming and festive, these markets offer a glimpse into Christmas past and give a boost of juletide cheer, but handcrafted cheese slicers and moose sausage will only get you so far.

‘Tis the season to hunt for stocking stuffers, so where do you find some of that famous Swedish innovation and design to put under your own holiday tree? Look no further – here is The Local's guide to finding all of the Swedish form and functionality you could want – and even some you didn’t know you needed.

STOCKHOLM

Designgalleriet
Location: Odengatan 21
Time: December 2nd – 22nd
Tuesday - Friday 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday 11 am – 3 pm
Information: www.designgalleriet.com

Twenty-four products for the 24 days of December before Christmas. Designgalleriet’s annual Christmas Market opened on Dec 1. The market features products handpicked by Designgalleriet as well as the Santa of the Year, Eero Koivisto, from the design and architecture firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. The selection was based on design quality, creativity and festiveness. All of the products were launched in 2008.

The objects, by both independent artists and established design companies, are 100 kronor, 500 kronor or 1,000 kronor. The idea is to represent all types of design, including fashion, interiors, graphics and handicraft. The selection features works by Fuldesign, Karin Robling, Jarl Fernaeus, Rörstrand, Kosta Boda and Rosenthal. The products are available for sale from Dec 1st-22nd.


University College of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack)
Location: Dialoggatan 3 (behind Konstfack at Höglagret), Telefonplan
Time: Saturday December 6th, Sunday December 7th 10 am - 5 pm
Information: www.konstfack.se

Annual Christmas market featuring wares by Konstfack students. Don’t forget to bring cash as they don’t accept credit cards.


Tegens Julmarknad
Location: Bjurholmsgatan 1-11
Time: Saturday, December 6th, 12 – 5 pm
Information: 08-6443755

Artists and designers open their Södermalm studios to the public. Here you can find textiles, ceramics, blown glass, jewelry and more.


Beckmans College of Design
Location: Brahegatan 10
Time: Saturday, Sunday December 13th-14th, 11 am – 5 pm
Information: www.beckmans.se

Beckmans College of Design presents alternative, environmentally-friendly and sustainable gifts created by its students. The café will serve glögg, ginger snaps and saffron bread.


Bakåt:Framåt Vintage Fair
Location: Enskilda Galleriet, Kronobergsgatan 37(Fridhemsplan)
Time: Saturday December 13th, 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday December 14th, 11 am – 6 pm
Entry: 50 kronor
Information: www.bakatframat.se

Not really a Christmas market, but a good place to pick up some retro wear for the holidays. Don’t forget to bring cash.


GOTHENBURG

The School of Design and Crafts at Gothenburg University (HDK)
Location: Kristinelundsgatan 6-8
Time: Friday December 5th, 4 pm-7 pm
Saturday December 6th, 11 am-5 pm
Sunday December 7th, 11 am-5 pm
Information: Website

Fox candleholders in clay, leaf pendants in black-smoked iron and birch lamps in porcelin. Screen-printed bags, ceramic mugs with bamboo patterns and cast rings inspired by Iceland. The HDK Christmas Market offers everything from home decoration to jewelry and graphic design. Design, jewelry, textile and ceramics students will sell their handmade products.


Fair Fashion Market at The Museum of World Culture
Location:Södra vägen 54
Time: Saturday December 6th- Sunday December 7th, 12 pm - 5 pm
Information: www.varldskulturmuseet.se

An alternative Christmas market with a focus on eco-fashion. On Saturday Dec 6th, in conjuction with the Fair Fashion Market, Magasinet Camino and etisktmode.se are holding a clothing swap. For every item of clothing you bring, you receive a coupon for a new garment. Each person can bring a maximum of 15 items – and think quality instead of quantity. You can bring clothes in between 10 am and noon, and the exchange begins at 2 pm. Entry is 40 kronor.


Konstepidemin
Location: Konstepidemins väg 6 (Linnéplatsen)
Time: Friday December 12th, 11 am – 2 pm
Saturday December 13th- Sunday 14th, 12 – 4 pm
Monday December 15th - Tuesday December 16th, 11 am – 2 pm
Information: info@konstepidemin.se, 031-82 85 58
Website

Konstepidemin, or “Epidemic of Art”, is located in Gothenburg's former epidemic hospital. Today it is a lively gathering place and work space for over 100 artists.


MALMÖ

GOOD JUL
Location:Hedmanska gården at Lilla Torg
Time: Saturday Dec 6th and Sunday December 7th, 11 am – 6 pm
Information: www.formdesigncenter.com

GOOD JUL is an alternative Christmas market with 30 selected exhibitors. GOOD! is Malmö’s new market concept for sustainable design and lifestyles. Form/Design Center will have extended opening hours.


Designmarknad at Dockan
Location: Dockanplatsen
Time: Sunday, December 7th, 12 pm – 7 pm

Design on demand at Dockanplatsen in the Västra Hamnen harbour area. Exhibitors include: Bohemia /Stajl by Malmö, Celestine Soumah Smycken, Designers Eye Sweden, Fabrik100TVÅ, Flickorna Fläderblom, Formbart/Gunilla Wallin, Gottelisa, Kretsa, Liebling AB, Limhamns Trädgårdshandel, Lina Gardelid Art, Malmö Industrilotteri and Jenny Frank, Mittimyllan, Njutbar, PIPI-VÅNG, Portinson Design & Sara Svensson Klein, Precis en sån, Ralf Hanicke Arkitekt & Designer, Totaja, Zaffre Keramik & Konsthantverk.


Come on: Julmarknad!
Location:Café Barbro, Norra Skolgatan 10B
Time: Sunday, December 7th, 11 am – 4 pm
Information: Website

Thirty designers from Southern Sweden will display their goods. Also featuring a fashion show and live music.


COPENHAGEN

Christiania's Christmas market
Location: Christiania
Time: December 6th – 20th
Information: www.christiania.org

A little anarchy is a good thing when it comes to gift-giving.


Danish Design School
Location:Strandboulevarden 47
Time: Friday December 5th, 3 pm – 8 pm
Information: www.dkds.dk

Find some non-traditional gifts at the Danish Design School's Christmas market, where students sell their design products. Shop for graphics, glass, ceramics, prints, fashion and wild experiments. Buy the designs before they hit Copenhagen's design shops with a price tag that exceeds your average Christmas budget.


ArtRebels
Location:Flæsketorvet 17-19, Ködbyn
Time: December 3rd - December 24th
Wednesday-Friday 12 – 8 pm
Sat-Sun 12 – 6 pm
Information: www.artrebels.com

ArtRebels is a professional network for Danish artists, designers, musicians, deejays and other creative souls. The Christmas market features products available on their online shop, as well as never-before-seen creations from their artists, musicians and designers.


See also: Photo Gallery: Christmas Design markets