What's on in Sweden: December 19 - 25

What's on in Sweden: December 19th - 25th. Magic Numbers and Clash tribute in Stockholm; Polar exhibition and Woody West's Christmas Bash in Gothenburg; magical organic market near Malmö

• What's On in Sweden: September 3rd - 9th (2 Sep 10)
• What's on in Sweden: May 1 - 7 (29 Apr 09)
• What's on in Sweden: January 23 - 29 (22 Jan 09)

STOCKHOLM

Magic Numbers (UK)

The Ealing rockers and sibling quartet The Magic Numbers will be playing Stockholm on the cusp of this Christmas week.

The group released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2005 and swiftly followed up the success with Those the Brokes in 2006.

They are regular visitors to these northern climes and can on this occasion be seen at newly opened Södermalm venue Strand (formerly Street).

Price: 270 kronor
Time: Saturday December 20th, 8.30pm
Location: Strand, Hornstulls strand
Tickets: Magic Numbers Tickets
More information: Strand


Hey Joe – A tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash

The Clash Society and Södra Teatern have joined forces for the third year running to pay tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash.

The evening will be enlivened by guest performances from Neneh Cherry, Noice, Anna Maria Espinosa and many others.

So if you find yourself at home thinking one day is fine, the next is black - as it tends to be at this time of year - don't let the indecision bug you and just go.

Price: 195 kronor
Time: Saturday December 10th, 8pm
Tickets: Hey Joe Tickets
Location: Kägelbanan, Södra Teatern, Mosebacke torg 1-3
More information: The Clash Society


Skansen – Christmas Market

Skansen has been arranging a Christmas market since 1903 and with only one weekend left to Yuletide, take the chance to visit the pride of Djurgården and stock up on goodies and fill in the blanks on you shopping list.

For many Stockholmers a visit to the Christmas Market at Skansen is the traditional start of the festive season. You can find everything from handicrafts, confectionery, delicacies such as reindeer meat, mustards and cheeses, and many other gift items. All in the magical surroundings of Skansen's grounds with Stockholm's inner harbour as a backdrop.

There is also of course music, dancing and mulled wine with a hunt for Santa topping off the Christmas experience.

Price: 75 kronor (35 kronor for the children)
Time: Saturday – Sunday 20th-21st, 10am – 4pm
Location: Skansen
More information: Christmas at Skansen


GOTHENBURG

Woody Fest – Big Christmas Party

Woody West's Christmas bash is as traditional as ginger bread and mulled wine at Pustervik.

This year's party features local up-and-coming band Bye Bye Bicycle. The band's debut album is in the pipeline and scheduled for release in early 2009 and is tipped to send them into the pop stratosphere. This could therefore be your chance to both escape the in-laws and all that pickled herring, and rack up a story to tell the grand kids.

Price: 100 kronor
Time: Thursday December 25th 10pm
Location: Pustervik Theatre bar, Järntorgsgatan 12
Tickets:Ticnet
More Information: Woody West


The Polar Climate at Universeum

Universeum is Scandinavia's largest science centre and places the nature, climate and environment of our earth and universe firmly in focus.

A new exhibition entitled The Polar Climate opens on Thursday and visitors can marvel at the feel of ice, lay a snowflake puzzle, witness record-breaking hailstones at first hand, see the northern lights and generally experience the great polar wilderness.

So if riding a polar bear or snow scooter is your idea of Christmas fun pay a visit to Universeum – a national project very much under perpetual development.

Price: Free for under 4s, 95 kronor for 4-16 year-olds and 145 kronor for adults
Time: Sunday December 21st - Thursday April 30th, 10am-6pm
Location: Universeum, Södra vägen 50
More information: Universeum


SOUL STEP 2008 – Streedance

SOUL STEP is an international streetdance festival which is arranged for the third consecutive year.

Choreographers, judges and dancers descend on Gothenburg from around Sweden, Europe and the USA.

Price: 100 kronor/day or 150 kronor for a two day ticket
Time: Friday December 19th 7pm-10.30pm; Saturday December 20th, 1pm-7pm
Location: Pustervik Theatre, Järntorgsgatan 12
Tickets:Ticnet
More Information: Pustervik Theatre


MALMÖ/ÖSTERLEN

Christmas bash at Debaser

Svenska Musikklubben is a pop music club that is a regular feature of Debaser's events calender. The club has a recently established the tradition of holding a Christmas party featuring 7-8 artists behind a host band. Speedmarket Avenue are the partner of choice this yuletide and will be joined by Ane Brun, Love Antell from Florence Valentin, Twig, The Early Days and many more.

Happy Christmas y'all...

Price: 100 kronor
Time: Friday December 19th, 8pm
Tickets: On the door
Location: Debaser, Norra Parkgatan 2
More Information: Debaser


Les Garcons de Jazz

Afternoon jazz at Malmö's legendary French bistro La Couronne.

La Couronne is bar/bistro run by Alain from Calais and Younes from Paris. Together they bring a little 'je ne sais quoi' to Malmö's main shopping street.

This Friday afternoon Les Garcons de Jazz will provide a little light relief for those tired feet exhausted from that last minute consumer feeding frenzy.

Price: Free of charge
Location: La Couronne, Södra Förstadsgatan 36
Time: Friday December 19th, 3pm
More Information: La Couronne


Mandelmann's Gardens - Organic Christmas market

Mandelmann's Gardens in the picturesque village Rörum, an hour east of Malmö is one of the gems in the region known as Österlen (the south-eastern corner of Skåne). Run by a slightly eccentric couple dedicated to the earth, the seasons and all things organic, their small holding is an oasis of paths, ponds, livestock and nooks and crannies.

A Christmas tradition at Mandelmann's is the organic produce market and on offer are a wide range of fruit and veg, chutney's, sauces and assorted food products.

Price: Free of charge
Location: Mandelmann's Gardens, Djupadal Rörum
Time: Saturday December 20th – Sunday December 21st, 10am - 6pm
More Information: Mandelmann's Gardens