Christmas in Stockholm: what to do in the Open City this festive season

A wintery landscape at Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden

What could be more magical than Christmas in Stockholm? The wintery Swedish capital takes on a special glow in the weeks leading up to ‘jul’, as Christmas in known locally: from charming markets where mulled wine and potato fritters are served to the Open City’s many parks, ready for romantic walks through the snow!

But once you’ve ticked off the classics, it’s time to explore some of the more specific events, mingle with the locals, and celebrate the season at the city’s most LGBTQ-welcoming hotels and attractions. To learn about what’s happening around town this year, read on…

Visit Skansen for a glimpse at a traditional Christmas in Stockholm

If you like to take some time to reflect during the festivities, a trip to the world’s first open-air museum, Skansen, should be at the top of your list. The magical attraction is giving visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the ‘jul’ of yesterday by decking its many houses and farmsteads in celebratory decorations dating back all the way to 1830!

Visitors can look forward to several, gorgeously decked trees as well as original, festive meals, some of which have been served for nearly 200 years in Sweden – Christmas in Stockholm might look very different these days, but the celebrations of yesteryear have lost none of their charm…

www.skansen.se

Buy original stocking fillers at Bruno Gallerian

In need of some more presents before you head back home? The Open City’s got you covered! Head down to Bruno Gallerian in the capital’s hippest neighbourhood, Södermalm, where several cool Scandinavian brands await – there’s one special store you can’t miss…

Lakritsroten sells what might just be Sweden’s very best liquorice products, from sweet pralines to sour pastilles! These beautifully packaged, gift-sized souvenirs make for fantastic stocking fillers, too; especially because dietary preferences are well catered to with vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. If you ask us, a trip to Lakritsroten at Bruno Gallerian is among the sweetest ways to spend Christmas in Stockholm!

www.brunogallerian.se

Savour a festive buffet at Hasselbacken for a delicious Christmas in Stockholm

Nowhere does the festive period quite like Hasselbacken, the Open City’s iconic, LGBTQ-friendly hotel with a penchant for experiential hospitality. This year, the stylish address is hosting a daily Christmas buffet, or ‘julbord’, up until the 24th of December, and local gourmands as well as visitors from all over will rub shoulders and clink glasses here.

On the 13th, a special experience takes place when the hotel celebrates Lucia, a Swedish celebration of a mythical figure, the bearer of light, who is paid tribute to with a procession of children carrying candles on their heads – a truly magical way to celebrate Christmas in Stockholm!

www.hasselbacken.com

Celebrate at Klub Moxy’s official Christmas party


Those looking for a less traditional way to celebrate the season will no doubt find it at Klubb Moxy, the capital’s ultra-fabulous and unapologetic lesbian (and allover queer-welcoming) parties thrown by absolute leading ladies in the field. This year, Moxxy’s famous Christmas party will take place on the 10th of December.

Be prepared for plenty of good vibes, some seriously great music and a night of dancing like there’s no tomorrow – of all of the ways to clink glasses to Christmas in Stockholm while visiting the Open City in the weeks leading up to the festivities, this has got to be the most fun!

www.klubbmoxy.se