Magical markets, curious candle-lit celebrations and husky-led sleigh rides: the Swedes sure know how to spend Christmas. The festivities officially begin on the first Sunday of the advent calendar (usually in early December), where Swedes light the first of their four advent candles, browse the beautiful displays in the stores and take part in some charitable fundraising events. In the weeks that follow, the whole of Sweden is alive with an excitable flurry of glögg (mulled wine) galore, copious amounts of sweet treats and a general Christmas cheer. So, if you happen to be feeling a bit ‘Bah Humbug’ about the festive season this year, then a wintertime getaway to enjoy Christmas in Sweden is the perfect antidote. Keep reading to find out why.
The Christmas Markets are Oh So Lovely
With the smells of gingerbread wafting out of stands, the glow of lights shining all around and the taste of freshly brewed glögg (mulled wine) in your mouth, you can trust us when we say that Christmas markets in Sweden are a symphony for the senses. In Stockholm you can search for wooden toys, ceramics and other trinkets in the charmingly compact Stortorget Christmas market while admiring the snow-roofed medieval buildings of beautiful Gamla Stan. There is also the popular Skansen open-air museum, which offers everything from tasty seasonal delicacies and handicrafts made on-site, to craft workshops and meetings with local animals. Gothenburg’s huge theme park, Lisberg, erupts into a flurry of festive fever in mid-November with Christmas carousels, ice ballet performances and splendid light shows. And for something a bit different, visiting the Christmas markets in Swedish Lapland - like Gammelstad in Luleå - is a great way to learn a little more about the indigenous Sami people and their traditional handiwork.
The Christmas Smorgasbord is Truly Something Special
It’s not hard to beat the brussels-sprout, red-cabbage laden bonanza we Brits dish out every year, but we have to hand it to the Swedes - they sure do know how to make Christmas the season of culinary celebration. In fact, the seasonal spread is so special and so adored that it even has its own name: julbord (Christmas buffet). And what a jolly julbord it is. On the one end you have pickled herring and smoked salmon, on the other end you have roasted ham, cold cuts and sausages and in between you have everything from potato casseroles and creamy meatballs to saffron pretzels and beetroot salad. As for the accompanying beverages, glögg is usually the go-to, but there is also julöl (a sweet, dark beer brewed for Christmas) and julmust (a non-alcoholic alternative made from water, sugar, hops, malt and spices). Traditional restaurants up and down the country are easy to come across and are sure to have no problems luring you in with their candle-lit interiors, sweet-sounding songs and irresistible smells. So make sure to arrive with a ravenous appetite, as Christmas in Sweden is all about foodie delights.
Swedish Lapland is About as Christmassy a Landscape as You Can Get
You’ll be able to hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling from a mile away as your team of pure-bred Siberian Huskies arrive to whisk you off on a sled through icy plateaus, frozen lakes and snow-covered pine forests. Unfortunately we can’t arrange for the dogs to take off into the night’s sky, but you never know, a Christmas miracle could just happen…. Other adventurous activities on the Arctic agenda include snowmobile excursions, ice fishing and snow-shoe expeditions. When you’re ready for something a little slower paced, we can recommend some of our favourite spots in the area to enjoy browsing through traditional Christmas markets, tucking into a well-earned julbord (Christmas buffet) or kicking back in a floating sauna in the heart of nature. And wherever you find yourself in Swedish Lapland, make sure to keep a keen eye on the happenings above you, as this is prime time for celestial sightings of the magical Northern Lights.
Children Can Meet Santa and Marvel at his Workshops
Sweden might not be home to Santa’s legendary North Pole, but it is home to a range of charming villages that the little ones of the family will doubtless fall besotted with. And besides, you could always tell the children that they’re at top-secret satellite offices that help with the operations up in the North Pole to make things even more magical. The star of the show is undoubtedly Santaworld, a magical winter-wonderland with a cosy cottage where children can meet Santa, jump on his bed and explore Mrs. Santa’s kitchen. The park is also home to a host of other magical characters, including fairies, forest creatures and, of course, hard-working elves. There is also a Santa’s Village in Pajala, where families can sit with Santa around a crackling fire and sing carols. And finally, in Swedish Lapland there is a new hot spot called the Friendly Moose, where children can enjoy reindeer sleigh rides through snowy forest scenery before settling down in the warmth to help Santa open letters from around the world.
The Christmas Traditions are Weird, Wacky and Absolutely Wonderful
One of the greatest things about spending the festive season in a foreign country is being able to see the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions different cultures have. Italians are visited by a Christmas witch instead of Santa Claus, the Spanish celebrate a gift-pooping log and the Swedes? Well, they revel in the opportunity to take their obsession with candles to the next level. We’re talking about the annual candlelit Lucia procession on the 13th December, which sees locals from across the country don their finest white gowns and hit the streets holding candles to celebrate light in darkness, warmth in coldness. Other quirky traditions during Christmas in Sweden include Julskyltningen, a day which kicks off the first Sunday of the advent calendar with discounts, competitions and charity fundraisers; Julafton, which sees families celebrate Christmas on the 24th December with gifts, and afternoon julbord (Christmas buffet) and an hour-long Disney special on TV; and St. Knut's Day, which is the last official day of Christmas and the perfect time for gobbling up the last of the glögg, sweet treats and saffron pretzels.