Sweden's best Christmas markets

Christmas markets are a feature of Yuletide in Sweden and The Local has put together a pick of the best, all featuring warm spiced "glögg" for the adults, and plenty of fun activites for the children.

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Swedish Christmas markets are open anywhere from two days to a month, so check this guide to make sure you don’t miss out.

Skansen Christmas Market

This Christmas Market, located in the beautiful open-air museum of Skansen in central Stockholm, is filled with stalls selling homemade mustard, sugared almonds, cakes, jams, gingerbreads, and local handicrafts.

The main attraction of Christmas at Skansen is however the sheer number of activities you can participate in: visit the many farmsteads that are scattered throughout the park, attend a workshop where you can learn how to make Christmas decorations, or even taste freshly brewed beer.

A must do to round off any family visit to the park is the pony rides for the children and Christmas tales by the fire.

The market is open Saturdays and Sundays from November 26th to December 18th.
Entrance Fee: 70 kronor ($10) for adults, 30 kronor for children 6-15 and 60 kronor for senior citizens.
How to get there: A number of trams run from the city center to Skansen, the 44 bus runs 44 from Högskolan - Karlaplan – Skansen, or it is a short walk from Östermalm tunnelbana station.
More information: Christmas at Skansen

Stortorget Christmas Market in Gamla Stan

Located in the heart of the old town, this is the oldest Christmas market in Stockholm, dating back to the 1300s. Nestled around a large Christmas tree, you will find traditional wooden stalls (some run by the same families for generations) selling warm spicy glögg (mulled wine), smoked sausages, elk and reindeer meat, sheepskins, Christmas decorations, jewelry, and much more.

The market is open from November 19th to December 23rd, 11am to 6pm daily.
Entrance Fee: Free.
How to get there: Take the tunnelbana to Gamla Stan or Slussen and walk.
More information: Christmas on Stortorget

Sigtuna Christmas Market

These markets are worth visiting not only to enjoy the Christmas delicacies and handicrafts, but also to experience a taste of Christmas in the oldest town in Sweden, dating back to 980 AD.

The markets are open on the four Sundays between November 27th and December 18th from 11am to 4pm.
Entrance Fee: Free.
How to get there: From Stockholm, you can take the Stockholm - Märsta commuter train, taking 35 minutes, or bus 570 or 575 from Märsta station to Sigtuna.There are also runs trains to/from Uppsala via Sigtuna.
More information: Christmas in Sigtuna

Steninge Slot Christmas Market

This is an covered Christmas market located in the picturesque Steninge castle, close to Sigtuna and Märsta.

The market is open from November 12th to December 23rd. Monday to Friday 11am to 6pm, and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Entrance Fee: Free.
How to get there: Take the Stockholm - Märsta commuter train and then bus 580 to Tellusgatan.
More information: Christmas in Sigtuna

Drottningholm Christmas Market

Wander through the grounds of the royal palace, and enjoy the market while you are there. You will find blacksmiths, wood carvers, and all manner of other Swedish handicrafts.

The market is open over the weekend of December 3rd-4th.
Entrance Fee: Free.
How to get there: From Stockholm, take the tunnelbana to Brommaplan and then swap to bus 301-323.
More information: Christmas in Drottningholm

Uppsala Castle Christmas Market

Visit the Christmas market in the beautiful student town of Uppsala, located in the castle. Here you can enjoy "fika" (coffee and cakes), browse local handicrafts and listen to musical entertainment, all with the added bonus of free entry into the art gallery.

Open: November 26th to 27th 2011, 12pm to 4.30pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
How to get there: From the train station in central Uppsala it is a 12 minute walk to the castle.
More information: Christmas in Uppsala

Liseberg Christmas Market (Gothenburg)

The Christmas market at Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg is the largest in Sweden, and glitters in the wintery darkness with over 5 million lights spread throughout the park.

There is plenty to see and do: try the waffles with lingonberry jam, or if you are very hungry, the generous julbord. You can also go ice-skating, or if you are in the mood for a different kind of icy entertainment, visit the ice bar for some vodka.

Open: Remaining weekends in November, as well as the 1st to the 23rd of December.
Entrance fee: 90 kronor for adults, with children under 7 entering for free.
More information: Christmas at Liseberg

Gustav Adolfstorg Christmas Market (Gothenburg)

Not in the mood to visit Liseberg? Don’t worry because Gothenburg offers many cosy Christmas markets including this one at Gustav Adolfs Torg, with around 30 stalls.

Open: Weekends in November and December and then December 17th-23rd, 10am to 4pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas on Gustav Adolfstorg

Haga Christmas Market (Gothenburg)

Located in Gothenburg’s oldest neighborhood, this market sells Christmas decorations, handicrafts, ceramic, hand painted tiles, and much more, all with plenty of musical entertainment.

Open: Weekends up to December 18th.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Haga

Kalmar Castle Julmässa

Set in the beautiful grounds of the Kalmar Castle, this market is one of Sweden’s largest. Filled with flickering lights and over 120 craftsmen selling a variety of beautiful products made from wood, pottery, straw and textiles, as well as delicious Christmas treats.

Open: November 24th-27th 2011.
Entrance Fee: 70 kronor for adults, free for those under 12.
More information: Christmas at Kalmar Castle

Södertull Christmas Market (Malmö)

A traditional Christmas market in the 3rd largest city in Sweden.

Open: November 27th-December 23rd 2011, 11am to 6pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Malmö

Katrinetorps Gård Christmas Market (Malmö)

At this beautiful Christmas market you will find antiques, flowers, crafts and food, as well as the opportunity to dance and sing around the Christmas tree, all with a wonderful atmosphere.

Open: December 10th-11th, 11am to 6pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Malmö

Good Jul Christmas Market at Gustav Adolfstorg (Malmö)

Want to shop for organic, fair trade, sustainable, vintage or locally produced? Then this is the Christmas market for you!

Open: December 10th-11th, 10am to 6pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Malmö

Christmas Market at Alster Manor (Karlstad)

The Christmas market at Alsters herrgårds (Alster Manor) has a wonderful atmosphere with local artisans such as wood turners and brush makers on display. You can buy local handicrafts and enjoy some wintery food, while listening to choir performances.

Open: November 26th-27th, 10am to 4pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Karlstad

Olden day Christmas Market at Wadköping (Örebro)

A Traditional Christmas market in Örebro’s open air museum, with handicrafts and the opportunity for children to meet Father Christmas.

Open: November 27th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th, 12pm to 4pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Örebro

Jönköping Christmas Market (Jönköping)

On November 27th, Jönköping will be transformed into Christmas wonderland, with markets scattered throughout the city, plenty of Christmas events such as choirs and dance shows and of course the opportunity for children to meet Tomte!

Open: November 27th
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Jönköping

Garpenburgs Herrgård Christmas Market (Avesta, Dalarna)

At the beautiful Garpenburg manor Christmas market you can enjoy local food and crafts, while escaping into nature.

Open: November 19th-20th 2011.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Dalarna

Christmas Market at Stora fabriken in Grycksbo hembygdsgård (Borlänge)

At this little Christmas market you can observe artisans at work, enjoy some traditional rice pudding, buy Christmas decorations and lollies.

Open: The 26th of November, 10am to 3pm.
Entrance Fee: Free
More information: Christmas in Dalarna

Not open at Christmas, but still worth a visit:

Jokkmokk Winter Market

This is not a Christmas market, but instead a Sami winter market dating back to 1605, and something not to be missed in Sweden in February.

If you have ever wanted to know more about the fascinating Sami culture, then this is the perfect opportunity to meet Sami people, attend lectures and art exhibitions, purchase handicrafts and experience market life as it would have been 400 years ago.

There are also a plethora of activities to participate in, for example you can take a dogsled tour, learn to make salves on an open fire, or even try old fashioned wooden skiing. Don’t miss the very popular reindeer race on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2 – 3pm.

Open: February 2nd-4th 2012.
Entrance Fee: Free.
More information: Winter in Jokkmokk

Michelle Mann
Borderless Adventures