God Jul ... Och Ett Gott Nytt Ar! (Merry Christmas...and Happy New Year)! During Christmas in Stockholm. the entire city lights up with candles and is flooded with Christmas markets. Stroll the snow-filled streets and hear the chimes of church bells ringing through the streets. Smell the aroma of fresh biscuits, roasted chestnuts, and glögg (spicy, mulled wine) in the air. Dress in warm clothes and carry lots of holiday cheer because Christmas in Stockholm lasts throughout December!

Christmas Shopping in Stockholm

To prepare for Christmas traditions in Stockholm, locals and tourists alike visit the many Christmas markets, which have yummy foods and gorgeous hand-made gifts. Many locals meet at Christmas markets to socialize and sip glögg tasty hot, spiced wine. If you'd like to tour more than one market, start at Gamla Stan (Old Town) just south of the palace. Try glögg for yourself and shop in Stortorget where you can find magnificent Swedish Christmas gifts, ornaments, and food.

Next, hop on a boat to Skansen, the world's oldest open-air museum, located on the park island of Djurgården. Skansen dates back to 1903 and provides insight into the traditional markets of Christmas in Stockholm. The Skansen Christmas market has many activities for you and your family including traditional candle making.

Rosendal Palace, located a bit out of Djurgården, has traditional Christmas booths located within its gardens. You won't believe how beautiful Christmas in Stockholm is!

Now you can head back to the heart of Stockholm where you'll find even more markets. Kungstradgården, a large downtown park near the Town Center, has a market and is conveniently located smack dab in the middle of Stockholm's main shopping district. Christmas in Stockholm is a big deal, and every store prepares for the holidays. Browse the shops and designer boutiques on and around Biblioteksgatan and Birger Jarlsgatan. Also be sure to see the famous Christmas window displays at NK, Stockholm's most-fashionable department store.

Christmas Traditions in Sweden

On thing that makes Christmas in Stockholm so unique are its many Christmas traditions. On December 13, the Christmas season officially begins with Saint Lucia Day, and the youngest girl of the family dresses up as St. Lucia with a long, white robe and a crown of evergreens and tall, white candles on her head. The daughter wakes up the parents and serves them buns and coffee. Often, all children accompany the youngest daughter. The boys dress as stars with long white shirts and pointed hats.

Two days before Christmas, families set up Christmas trees and decorate their houses with candles, apples, Swedish flags, Tomtes (small Christmas gnomes who look like Santa), straw ornaments, and flowers such as the Julstjärna (Poinsettia), red tulips, and red or white Amaryllis. Families prepare dinner for the following evening and do all last-minute preparation for Christmas on the day before Christmas Eve.

It isn't really until Julafton (Christmas Eve) that Christmas in Stockholm really gets going. Locals form candlelit processions into the church and families eat a traditional Christmas dinner, which includes a smorgasbord with ham, pork, or fish, as well as a variety of sweet treats. For dessert, some families serve Risgryngrot, a rice pudding with one almond. Whoever finds the almond gets to make a wish or is believed to marry within one year.

After the meal, someone dresses up as Tomte, the traditional Swedish Christmas Gnome who looks much like Santa Claus. According to Swedish myths, Tomte lives under the floorboards and rides a small straw horse. On Christmas Eve, he visits each family, hands out gifts, and sings funny rhymes.

Though you may not try out all of these Swedish Christmas traditions, the ones you do pick up are sure to follow you home. Once you experience the magical festivities, you'll understand what makes Christmas in Stockholm so special.