Stockholm Christmas Markets 2023

Stockholm Christmas Markets 2023

Whether you enjoy a traditional or contemporary Christmas, Stockholm has something to offer you. Visit a Christmas market, have some glögg and gingerbread and go shopping under the beautiful Christmas decorations that light up the city every year.

• Visiting Stockholm for Christmas? Check out The Victory Hotel for a unique stay, a 4 star with exceptional character, great breakfast and friendly staff right in the heart of the old town.

The Markets

• Stockholm boasts no less than six Christmas Markets throughout the city, ranging from the classic to the contemporary.  The markets are traditionally held during Advent, meaning most will wrap up before Christmas Eve.
• There are several Christmas Markets dotted across the city. Boutique design shops sit alongside quirky cafes and galleries. Winter is a great time to visit Stockholm as the water ices over around the city, taking on a unique romantic feel.
• Outdoor ice skating, stunning shop window displays, and traditional Swedish hot spiced wine (glögg) add to the festive atmosphere. It is the perfect setting for shopping and a long weekend break.
• Stockholm is a beautiful city of 14 islands connected by bridges and SoFo on the Island of Södermalm. The Scandinavian City on the Water, Stockholm surprises visitors with its many charming and clean waterways, slick design, and gay-friendly locals.

Where to stay for a gay Christmas in Stockholm?

The greatest concentration of gay bars and clubs is found in two areas:

• The trendy Södermalm district
• The Old Town, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world.

Old Town’sTown’s (Gamla Stan) Christmas market

• 20th November – 23rd December 2023 – The Old Town’s (Gamla Stan) Christmas market is a must for a genuine Stockholm Christmas. It is the most famous and most traditional Christmas Market in Stockholm. It’s located in the heart of the Old Town at Stortorget square (close to the Royal Palace). 
• The little red stalls sell Swedish Christmas sweets, smoked sausages, reindeer- and elk meat and other Christmas delicacies, glögg (mulled wine) and a range of Swedish handicrafts and decorative arts of high-quality artistry.

Skansen

• Skansen celebrates all traditional Swedish festivals, and Christmas is no exception, with a historic Christmas market dating back to 1903. Skansen is the first open-air museum and zoo in Sweden, located on the island Djurgården in Stockholm. Discover delicious treats and beautiful Christmas gifts and enjoy the great ambience. 
• Skansen is a 15-minute taxi ride from the old town.

Christmas at Rosendal

• Rosendals Garden is an oasis for sustainability, growing and enjoyment! In this beautiful garden, you will find seasonal food, flowers, wreaths, bread and pastries. The Premiere evening is on November 29. On December 22, there will be a light show and a large fire when the sunsets.
• The gardens are a 15-minute drive from the old town.
• Awaiting dates and times

Taxinge Castle

• November 17th – 19th, 2023 – Sweden’s Sweden’s largest Christmas fair is at Sörmland’s Taxinge Castle , where over 130 of the country’s best craftsmen are gathered. Make sure to come early; it will take time to browse the full selection of items on offer.
• Discover delicious homemade cheese, sausages, jam, ham, bread, herring, salmon and other goodies that belong to Christmas. And tasting is usually not just allowed; it is a must. 
• The Castle is a one hour drive from Stockholm’s old town.

Other highlights in Stockholm at Christmas

Stop by the Stockholm Design centre (Arkitektur- och designcentrum) to see their annual gingerbread house competition (all month long). The competition is split into three categories: architects, bakers and children. Probably the best smelling museum in the world (at least this month)!

During the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is traditional in Sweden to eat a special Christmas smorgasbord called julbord. It is a buffet that is laden with Swedish holiday dishes… like a variety of pickled herring, smoked salmon, gravad lax, meatballs and glazed ham. Many restaurants serve julbord this month, though a neat way to experience this is on the dinner cruises

Where to stay in Stockholm?

Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to the markets and the gay bars and clubs.

Nobis Hotel,    Radisson Blu,    Berns Hotel,    Nordic Light Hotel