Sweden's festive Christmas markets

Whichever part of Sweden you happen to visit, you're likely to find an authentic Christmas market with plenty of high quality products that make ideal gifts. The handicraft tradition is strong in Sweden, and you’ll find everything from Christmas decorations and hand-knitted mittens to stylish jewellery. 

Christmas-themed food and drink complete the experience. While wandering among the decorative stalls, make sure to enjoy the winning combination of a steaming cup of 'glögg' (mulled wine) and a 'pepparkaka' (gingerbread).

Here are some of Sweden's best Christmas markets:

Gammelstad, Swedish Lapland

For one weekend, the open-air museum Hägnan at Luleå’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Gammelstad Church Town arranges its traditional Christmas market. Housed in and around the former farm buildings, some 70 exhibitors focused on craftsmanship will offer everything from homemade delicacies to books. Visitors can also meet Santa Claus and Mrs Claus, listen to fairy tales and go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Open: 3-4 December 2022.

Jamtli, Jämtland

This traditional Christmas market in Östersund is located at Jamtli Museum – also known as Sweden's Christmas Museum. Wander around the snow-covered historical buildings, admire more than 200 vendors of genuine handicrafts and locally produced delicacies or go for a sleigh ride. If you're lucky, you might even meet the Jamtli Santa. The super-sized Advent Calendar with new surprises every day is also worth a visit.

Open: 2-4 December 2022.

Stenegård, Hälsingland

Experience a traditional Swedish Christmas market in a unique setting. Stenegård in Järvsö is one of the well-known ‘Hälsingegårdar’ (Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland), a collection of timber abodes that was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012. Visitors can expect quality delicacies and handicrafts from all over the Hälsingland province at this indoor and outdoor market.

Open: 3-4 December 2022.

Falun Mine, Dalarna

The Christmas market at the Falun Mine marks the start of the holiday season for many locals. Falun Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and locally produced delicacies and handicrafts are on offer at this old-fashioned Christmas market. Even though the market is held for one day only, the happenings are many: A choir singing Christmas carols, a visit from the mine’s Santa Claus, and a historical play, to name a few.

Open: 4 December 2022.

Skansen, Stockholm

The open-air museum Skansen, located in Stockholm's Royal Djurgården (a national city park), is a major Swedish attraction. Its historic Christmas market has been a calendar highlight since 1903. Stroll around the stalls and stock up on traditional Christmas food and handicrafts made by local craftsmen on-site. Kids will love all that Skansen has to offer – from meeting the resident animals to participating in craft workshops.

Open: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 25 November until 18 December 2022.

Stortorget, Stockholm Old Town

Few Christmas markets are as atmospheric as Stortorgets Julmarknad, housed in Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan). This traditional Christmas market was started in 1837 and is the oldest in Sweden. Spreading across the beautiful square Stortorget, a range of Swedish Christmas sweets and other seasonal delicacies are served up alongside various craft items, from iron works to ceramics.

Open: Every day from 19 November to 23 December 2022.

Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm

The annual Christmas market at Drottningholm Palace is a holiday affair with a royal touch. This royal residency is located on the western outskirts of Stockholm. Traditional in style, you'll discover a wide range of quality handicrafts and meet the skilled craftspeople who created them. Take the opportunity to explore this fascinating UNESCO-listed palace on a guided tour, or stroll through the beautifully landscaped park toward the spectacular Chinese Pavilion.

Open: 3-4 December 2022.

Taxinge Castle, Nykvarn

A fair with a castle as a backdrop? The Christmas fair at Taxinge Caste is just as magical as it sounds. Browse through more than 100 vendors and try delicacies like ham and cheese. Those with a sweet tooth won’t be disappointed either – Taxinge Castle offers the most extensive cake buffet in northern Europe with no less than 65 different cakes, cookies and pies daily.

Open: 11-13 and 17-20 November 2022.

Liseberg, Gothenburg

Liseberg Amusement Park, in the centre of Gothenburg, is considered a national icon. It also hosts Sweden's largest Christmas market. Millions of twinkling lights and more than a thousand Christmas trees set the tone. If you fancy trying the complete Swedish Christmas food experience, opt for Liseberg's 'julbord' – a buffet-style smorgasbord brimming with dishes hot and cold. The funfair location features thrilling rides as well as an ice-skating rink.

Open: 19-20, 25-27 November and 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 19-23, 26-30 December 2022.

Hönö Klåva, Gothenburg archipelago

For a different Christmas market experience, take the ferry to the island of Hönö in the Gothenburg archipelago. In the old fishing port of Klåva, you can stroll through the cosy Christmas market craft exhibitors, visit decorated shops and admire the Christmas lights in the harbour.

Open: 26-27 November 2022.

Tjolöholm Castle, Halland

The Christmas market at Tjolöholm Castle has been a tradition since 1987. Every winter, the castle is carefully decorated with Christmas trees, thousands of lights and candle holders. This is one of the largest Christmas markets on the west coast with seasonal food and drinks, unique gifts and activities for the children. Should you find it hard to leave the magical Christmas setting, you can stay overnight in a cottage on the castle grounds.

Open: 11-13, 18-20 and 24-27 November 2022.

Medieval Christmas, Gotland

Several Christmas markets are held on the island of Gotland during November and December, Medieval Christmas in Visby being the most spectacular one. Visitors can expect torchlight processions, medieval choir singing and lectures. The market will cover food and drinks essential for Christmas, such as steaming hot ‘glögg’ (mulled wine).

Open: 9-11 December 2022.

Kosta, Småland

Kosta, part of the Kingdom of Crystal ('Glasriket') in the southern Swedish province of Småland, is home to one of Sweden's most famous glassworks, Kosta Boda. It also puts on one of Sweden's major Christmas markets, brimming with six million Christmas lights – and Santa's magical wish list machine. As for the products filling huts and stalls, glassware is of course high on the agenda, and you'll be able to witness glassblowing in action.

Open: Every Saturday and Sunday between 12 November and 31 December 2022, except for Christmas Eve.

Huseby Bruk, Småland

Huseby hosts the largest Christmas fair in the Nordics, with some 130 stands spread out over 11 rooms. Admire unique craftsmanship and meet small-scale food artisans who will all let you taste samples of their products. 500 marshals and 200 Christmas trees are lit up every evening, creating a true Christmas spirit.

Open: 12-20 November 2022.

Eksjö, Småland

Travel 100 years back in time by visiting the traditional Christmas market in Eksjö. The market takes place in the wooden town centre, and vendors offer everything from homemade candles and silversmith goods to marzipan and marmalade. The Christmas market ends with a festive fire show.

Open: 3-4 December 2022.

Gustav Adolfs Torg in Malmö, Skåne

The major city of Malmö hosts several Christmas markets. The cosy fair in Gustav Adolfs Torg is a definite highlight, transforming the town square into a sparkling, festive wonderland, complete with carol singers. Alongside music and live performances, you'll find stalls selling local handicrafts as well as classic Swedish Christmas food and drinks.

Open: 24-27 November, 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18 December 2022.