A rustic wooden table is set with a tray of typical Swedish Christmas treats such as lussebullar, nuts, and cups of mulled wine.

Christmas fika

Saffronbuns ('Lussekatter') – recipe

Along with gingerbread, saffron buns are a seasonal treat Swedes make for Advent and Lucia in the run-up to Christmas. This sweet, saffron-flavoured bun, known as &#x27;lussekatt&#x27; (directly translated as &#x27;Lucia cat&#x27;), is typically shaped into the letter ‘S’ to look like a curled-up cat, with raisins for decoration to resemble the cat’s eyes.

A table with gingerbread cookies in different shapes and a cup of mulled wine.

Gingerbread

Swedish Gingerbread ('Pepparkakor') – recipe

Making Swedish &#x27;pepparkakor&#x27; — or gingerbread cookies — is a tradition many Swedish families will do every Christmas. These spiced cookies are an integral part of Swedish Christmas celebrations like advent and Lucia.Bake your own gingerbread cookies with this easy gingerbread recipe. Whether you want to make gingerbread men or build a whole gingerbread house, this is where to start.

Recipes

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Christmas tree

Christmas

Celebrate Christmas in Sweden, from Lucia and gingerbread to decorating the tree.

Marché de Noël

Een besneeuwd plein met kerststalletjes. Op de achtergrond gekleurde huizen.

Kerstmarkt

Christmas market

Sweden's festive Christmas markets

Usher in the festive season by visiting a Swedish Christmas market, offering quality handmade products, tasty food and fun activities.

15 festive Christmas markets in Sweden

Skeppsbron à Noël

Een luchtfoto van winters Stockholm met een grote kerstboom langs het water.

Stockholm tijdens Kerstmis

Stockholm during Christmas

How to celebrate Christmas in Sweden – a guide to traditions and activities

How to celebrate Christmas in Sweden

Een vrouw die een kerstlunch klaarmaakt. Op de tafel voor haar staan diverse schalen, koperen potten, adventskandelaar, brandende kaarsen, dennentakjes en een klein kerstgeitje.

Zweeds kerstdiner

Swedish Christmas dinner

Sample the delights of Swedish Christmas food

Christmas food in Sweden is a culinary feast based on tradition with modern updates. It&#x27;s such a treasured treat that Swedes enjoy its diverse staples – sweet and savoury – throughout the festive season.

A Lucia with candles in her hair seen from the side and behind her several handmaidens all carrying a candle in the hand and dressed in white gowns.

Lucia celebration

Lucia – bearer of light, hymns and Swedish treats

The Lucia tradition is as integral to Swedish culture as midsummer and crayfish parties. Immensely atmospheric, this 400-year-old custom brings peaceful joy each year on 13 December – and it’s spreading across the world.

Medelpad

Norrbotten

Västerbotten – a hotspot for unforgettable nature experiences

Ångermanland

Swedish Lapland – a culture-rich natural wonderland

Jämtland Härjedalen – a twin province of majestic landscapes

Hälsingland – a world of cultural heritage and untouched nature

Gästrikland – a peaceful province by the Baltic Sea

Dalarna – a miniature Sweden rich in nature and culture

Stockholm – a capital built on islands and ideas

Sörmland – a pleasure garden studded with castles

Uppland – where Swedish history comes to life

Värmland  – a lake-rich haven of natural beauty

Västmanland – magnificent nature and history close to Stockholm

Närke

Blekinge – a small county with great archipelago adventures

Bohuslän – a gem on the idyllic west coast of Sweden

Dalsland

Gotland – where Viking-era history meets unique natural scenery

Gothenburg – Sweden’s second largest city

Halland – a coastal haven for foodies and nature lovers alike

Malmö – a city of contrasts and an international melting pot

Skåne – a coastal county steeped in history

Småland – as Swedish as it gets

Västergötland

West Sweden

Experience Öland: From Swedish royalty to nature's majesty

Östergötland

Christmas in Sweden

Want to plan your holiday based on your interests? Select activities of choice or explore Sweden geographically.