Winter Only · November–December
Stockholm Christmas Traditions & Treats
Saffron buns, Stockholm’s oldest Christmas market, and the rituals behind a merry Swedish Christmas
Teenager: 27 EUR
Children under 14: Free
At checkout, your final price will appear in Swedish Kronor (SEK), reflecting the same listed EUR price.
Snow-dusted rooftops, festive lights, one of the world’s tallest Christmas trees, and a Christmas market dating back to the 1600s.
Let your Local Xpert show you how Christmas is celebrated in Sweden. Nibble your way through gingerbread, discover why a goat made of straw still guards Swedish Christmases, and enjoy the rituals that make the darkest time of year feel a little brighter.
Xperience Highlights
Find mysighet (cosiness) at Stockholm’s oldest Christmas market
With 41 stalls, Stortorgets Julmarknad takes centre stage in Gamla Stan during the holidays. Follow the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds through the market as you browse handcrafted decorations, ornaments and other traditional Swedish treats. Take your time, have a look around, and see what catches your eye.
Savour traditional Swedish Christmas treats
Taste some of Sweden’s beloved Christmas treats as you wander through the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan. Try warm roasted almonds, saffron buns (lussekatter) tied to the celebration of St. Lucia, and crisp, spiced gingerbread (pepparkakor) alongside a cup of mulled wine (glögg) that warms body and soul during long winter evenings. Your Local Xpert will also guide you to an 1800s candy shop where you’ll enjoy traditional handmade candies.
Discover the stories behind Swedish Christmas symbols
Why do Swedes light candles for Advent? What does the Dala horse have to do with Swedish culture? And why does the Yule Goat still appear in Christmas decorations across the country? As you make your way past the German Church and along Skeppsbrokajen, your Local Xpert will introduce you to the tales and traditions behind the symbols you see everywhere at Christmas.
Celebrate light at Nybroplan and Kungsträdgården
See Stockholm’s Christmas lights come alive around Nybroplan, including the huge moose family installation outside the Royal Dramatic Theatre. Find out why Swedish Christmas has become a collective act of defiance against the dark. Finish in King’s Garden, where you can join the skaters on the ice or warm up by the fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Experience Swedish Christmas markets, traditions & treats
9:50 or 13:50: Meet in front of the Nobel Prize Museum
We’ll meet in front of the entrance to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stortorget, where the Old Town Christmas market is located. Your Local Xpert will be easy to spot in a brick orange “Xperience Stockholm” hat and name tag.
Stortorget Christmas Market
Take in the flavours and scents of roasted almonds, saffron buns, glögg and gingerbread as we wander through Stockholm’s oldest Christmas market. Savour the traditional treats while your Local Xpert shares the stories behind them.
Köpmangatan
This 700-year-old street is lined with Swedish souvenirs and unexpected finds, including Sámi crafts and traditional products. Meet a member of Stockholm’s Sámi community and discover the traditions behind what you see, with an opportunity to sample reindeer meat along the way. You’ll have plenty of time for window shopping or souvenir shopping depending on your choice of guilty pleasure.
German Church (Tyska Kyrkan)
Known as Tyska kyrkan, Església Alemanya, or simply the German Church. This church was built for Stockholm’s German-speaking merchant community, and its Baroque façade has stood here since the 17th century. As we stroll by, your Local Xpert will share the stories behind the Christmas symbols here. And if you’re lucky, you might hear the soft melody of Christmas carols dancing through the stained-glass windows.
Gamla Stans Polkagriskokeri
Step inside this 1800s shop, where traditional polkagris are still made by hand. Watch the candy being pulled, twisted and shaped, then try some for yourself—from the classic red-and-white peppermint candy cane to caramel fudge and other Swedish sweets like salty licorice.
Järntorget
At Järntorget, once a centre of Stockholm’s iron trade, your Local Xpert will introduce you to julbord and share the traditions behind this Swedish Christmas feast.
Skeppsbrokajen Promenade
Walk around one of the world’s tallest Christmas trees, standing at 38 metres tall, made in quite a unique fashion, as you’ll see up close. Your Local Xpert will dive deeper into the Christmas decorations you’ll find in Swedish homes and streets.
Nybroplan
Catch part of Stockholm’s Walk of Lights trail with the twinkling lights of the huge moose family displayed just outside the Royal Dramatic Theatre.
Kungsträdgården (King’s Garden)
End the day at King’s Garden, featuring a large Christmas tree decorated with festive lights next to the ice rink. You can bring your own skates along for some extra fun or rent some at a low cost. Or you can choose to warm up by the fire and watch the skaters as you sip on hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Is this Xperience right for you?
If you’d rather understand Swedish Xmas traditions than just photograph them, from why lussekatter are shaped like curled cats to why St. Lucia wears a crown of candles, this is built for you. No rushing between stalls, no checklist of sights. Just a day spent the way most Stockholmers actually spend theirs during the holidays: with good stories, traditional treats, and something warm in hand.
Our team is here to guide you
Olesia knows which alley smells like roasted almonds before you turn the corner. Ana can tell you how this 1600s Christmas market has changed over time. Tell us what you’re curious about when you book, and we’ll match you with the Local Xpert who’ll show you Stockholm at Christmas.
Loredana makes historical tidbits go down as smoothly as the cinnamon bun you’ll have during fika.
Expertise: Stockholm Archipelago, Swedish History, Swedish Jazz
Ask me about: Best places for live music in Stockholm
Jacqueline knows where Swedish history keeps its best secrets, from royal intrigue to the old streets of Uppsala.
Expertise: Geography
Ask me about: Best Swedish fika bröd
Ana turns Stockholm's culture into conversational earworms, just like your favourite ABBA song.
Expertise: Culture & History, Human behaviour, Photography
Ask me about: Forro, samba partner dancing, and books
Olesia turns Stockholm into a living canvas, full of street art, vintage finds, and rebellious creative corners.
Expertise: Visual Arts, Art History, Thrifting & Vintage Shopping
Ask me about: Best places for fika and flea markets
Frankie translates Stockholm’s history, innovation, and everyday rituals into stories that make you lean in.
Expertise: Swedish History & Society, Swedish Film & Music, STEM
Ask me about: Best places to BBQ in Stockholm
“So pleased to have taken this tour as it really set the scene for Christmas in Stockholm.”
Ana is a fantastic guide. Her knowledge and interest in the history of Stockholm shone throughout the tour. The tasty treats that kept appearing from Ana’s bag (think Mary Poppins) just added to a brilliant morning spent in great company.
“We walked through the charming streets of Gamla Stan and even tried little treats along the way.”
Our tour guide on the Christmas market tour was so fun and informative. It was a small group (of just my mother and I!) and our guide taught us about the Swedish Christmas traditions and answered any questions we had. I highly recommend this tour and it was a highlight of our trip to Stockholm!
What to Expect
- Local Xpert guide focused on Swedish Christmas traditions
- Tasting of 7 Swedish savoury and sweet Christmas treats with mulled wine (non-alcoholic)
- Exclusive deals for traditional Christmas souvenirs and gift shops
- Souvenirs from local shops
- Gratuity for your Local Xpert. Always optional. Always appreciated.
Good to Know
What to bring
Bring your warmest layers and nowhere urgent to be. This Xperience runs in sun, snow or rain, so come prepared for a Stockholm winter: a warm coat, gloves, scarf, hat or earmuffs, and waterproof shoes or boots. An umbrella can be useful too.
Activities to plan for
This is a low-intensity experience with mostly flat paths, plenty of stops, and opportunities to sit along the way. You’ll still be on your feet for much of the two hours, so comfortable walking shoes are a good idea.
Availability
Our Stockholm Christmas Xperience runs Monday–Sunday from late November through December. If you’d love to see the Gamla Stan Christmas Market, keep in mind that it is only open from the third weekend of November through 23 December. With groups capped at 10 guests, departures can fill up quickly, and once a date is full, it’s full.
Accessibility
This route is stroller accessible, but Gamla Stan’s cobblestone streets are not suitable for wheelchairs especially with the snow and ice. Let us know your specific needs when booking so we can plan the smoothest route possible.
Xperience a luxurious Swedish Christmas
Two hours gets you to the Christmas markets and mulled wine. A full day with your own Local Xpert takes you into the kitchens, workshops, and heritage sites with time to experience the traditions rather than simply see them.
Think a private julbord featuring locally sourced moose or reindeer, an afternoon learning to shape saffron dough with bakers that have done it for years, or the story of the Æsir (Viking Gods) and the sacrificial goat brought to life by your guide. Cultural stops range from the Royal Opera to Hallwyl Palace, depending on what interests you.
Enjoying Christmas in Sweden with children? We can arrange a little time for the grown-ups, too. Spend a relaxing afternoon at a Swedish spa while a certified babysitter keeps the little ones entertained for the evening.
Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, we’ll build your Swedish Christmas around your interests, with no one else’s itinerary pulling against yours.
Because these private experiences are planned around you, they can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the start time for a 50% refund. Full booking terms are available when you reserve your experience.
- Solo traveller
- 949 EUR / person
- Couple
- 479 EUR / person
- Family (max. 2 adults & 2 kids)
- 239 EUR / person
“Ana explained a lot about the culture, history, and local lore of Stockholm in a very engaging way.”
She took the time to get to know us and adapted the tour to what we were most interested in, which made it feel very personal. We also had the chance to try some typical foods and learn about Swedish traditions, which made the tour authentic and memorable. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Stockholm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Life happens, so we keep this simple: cancel up to 24 hours before your experience starts and get a full refund, no questions asked. If you booked with a promo code, reach out and we’ll get you rescheduled instead.
The Old Town Christmas Market only runs between late November and December, so its opening dates vary from year to year. If you join us outside the available dates, we’ll take you to other seasonal Christmas markets instead. Either way, you’ll have the chance to try traditional Swedish Christmas treats, see the lights, and learn about the festive traditions.
Most of Stockholm’s Christmas lights are switched on from around 15:00 starting mid-November. The morning tour therefore won’t include the full light displays, while the 14:00 afternoon tour lets you see them as they come on.
Yes. We regularly welcome guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Leave a comment when you book, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs and advise you of anything we’re unable to provide.
Our Luxury Christmas Xperience is a separate private tour designed for those who want to experience a full day of Yuletide festivities, Swedish cuisine, hands-on-pastry-making, and visits to cultural sites in Stockholm or Uppsala. You may reserve your spot for this experience here or reach out to our Local Xperts if you have any questions.
Most of the experience takes place outdoors, although we occasionally stop indoors for treats or a warm drink. Stockholm can be very cold in winter, so layer up with warm boots, double socks and gloves. We run in rain, snow or shine, so it’s worth coming prepared.
Get Ready for Christmas in Stockholm
A little context can change the way you move through a city. Start here to arrive curious, prepared, and ready to enjoy the festivities of Yuletide.
Explore Stockholm through the people who shape it
The best way to understand Swedish Christmas is to experience it through the people who keep its traditions alive. Meet our cultural partners, and discover the crafts, customs and seasonal rituals that give Christmas in Stockholm its character.
Other Ways to Xperience Stockholm
Stockholm Architecture & Design
Trace Swedish design from streets to interiors
Follow Stockholm’s design story from Östermalm’s elegant shopfronts to minimalist facades and green spaces. Your Local Xpert connects Swedish architecture and Scandinavian design through Swedish Grace, food culture, and influences from Carl Larsson to IKEA.
Stockholm Must-Sees
Connect Stockholm’s landmarks to the Vikings, royals, & merchants that shaped them
Your Local Xpert walks you through the narrow alleys of Gamla Stan, the courtyards of City Hall, the noble houses of Riddarholmen, and the different levels of the Vasa Museum, tracing the people who actually lived here.