Heidi Sweden boasts a wealth of charming Christmas markets, but which ones stand out and why? SJ, the Swedish rail company, conducted a major survey among its train passengers to discover the most popular Christmas markets in Sweden. SJ compiled a definitive list of the 10 best Christmas markets in Sweden. Christmas at the Liseberg amusement park in ‘Christmas City’ Gothenburg secured the top spot with ease. Taking second and third place were two Stockholm Christmas markets: the traditional market at Stortorget in Gamla Stan, one of Sweden’s oldest, and the market at Skansen.
Visiting Christmas markets is increasingly popular. A delightful family outing to a Christmas market instantly gets you into the festive spirit and is a fantastic opportunity to do your Christmas shopping. Here are the 11 most popular Christmas markets in Sweden:
1. Christmas at Liseberg, Gothenburg
In mid-November, Sweden’s largest amusement park transforms into a spectacular Christmas fairytale with millions of lights, an ice ballet, mulled wine, and around 80 stalls selling sweets and all sorts of festive treats. Of course, Christmas music is also in abundance. At Liseberg, you can go ice skating or deliver your wish list to Santa Claus. The show on the beautiful ice rink is definitely worth a visit. Check their website for exact opening times. You can travel directly to Gothenburg by train from Stockholm, Västerås, Örebro, Skövde, Malmö, Helsingborg, Halmstad, Trollhättan, Karlstad, Borås, Växjö, and Kalmar.
I’ve visited this Christmas market. It’s a must for lovers of Christmas lights. Amusement park enthusiasts should note that many rides are closed. The ice show, concluding with fireworks, was stunning. Remember to wrap up extra warm!
2. Skansen Christmas Market, Stockholm
The Christmas market at Skansen has been running since 1903. With its historic buildings, gorgeous surroundings, and unique view of Stockholm, Christmas at Skansen is a true classic. Here you can buy handicrafts and Christmas sweets, dance around the tree, make Christmas decorations, listen to the Advent concert in Seglora Church, and more. Lucia is also celebrated on 13th December. The Christmas market is open every weekend from the First Sunday of Advent until the weekend before Christmas.
What a wonderful place! The backdrop of Skansen perfectly suits the Christmas atmosphere. A nice detail: there are pine tree branches outside the cottages for wiping your feet, which keeps the snow (and mud) out. Plus, it provides a lovely scent. Extra bonus: the view over Stockholm, especially at sunset – which is around 2:30/3:00 PM in December.
3. Stortorget, Gamla Stan, Stockholm
In Sweden, the Christmas market at Stortorget in Stockholm’s Old Town is among the oldest in the country and even worldwide. Gustav Vasa organised a Christmas market here as early as 1523. Since then, the market has been moved a few times and even banned once. It returned to Stortorget in 1915. Here you’ll find natural products, ceramics, Christmas decorations, marzipan, honey, cheese, and spices. Additionally, there are gingerbread cookies (pepparkakor), hot chocolate, candy floss, waffles, and confectionery. Journalist Paul Wade from the British newspaper The Telegraph called this the best Christmas market in Europe. The Christmas market opens the week before the First Sunday of Advent and is open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM until 23rd December.
I was there on a quiet afternoon and found it to be an authentic market. The level of kitsch is limited, which makes this Christmas market a must-visit! I saw photos of the Stortorget Christmas market in the snow: a dream image!
More information about the Christmas markets (+ exact dates) in Stockholm can be found here.
4. Jämtli Christmas Market, Östersund
For those who prefer something different from the usual Christmas market activities, there’s the market at the Östersund open-air museum, Jämtli. A magical feeling has been created within the farmhouses dating from the 19th century to the early 20th century. Besides the beautiful old houses, crackling bonfires, carols, crafts, gingerbread house exhibitions, and local trades, you can also take a ride on a dog sled or a horse-drawn sleigh. Train enthusiasts should certainly take a ride on the steam train that runs every half hour between Östersund station and Jämtli station. The market is open for 3 days, from Friday to Sunday during the second weekend of Advent. Annually, 22,000 people visit this Christmas market. You can travel directly to Östersund from Stockholm, Gävle, Bollnäs, and Åre. In Östersund, change to bus 2 or the steam train to Jämtli.
5. Taxinge Slott Christmas Market, Nykvarn
In mid-November, Taxinge Slott opens its gates for the annual Christmas market. Browse through the handmade products from 130 of the country’s best artisans. Here you’ll find everything you need for a traditional Swedish Christmas smorgasbord, or julbord: cheese, ham, bread, herring, and salmon. Tasting is not only allowed but encouraged. The Taxinge Slott Christmas market takes place during the 2 weekends before Advent. You can travel directly to Nykvarn C with SJ from locations including Stockholm, Eskilstuna, Arboga, Örebro, and Hallsberg. In Nykvarn, switch to bus 780.
I can tick this one off too—a delightful Christmas atmosphere and an unmissable, extensive cake buffet!
6. Smålandsjul at Huseby, Växjö
Huseby hosts the largest Christmas market with over 170 different exhibitors selling everything from Sami handicrafts, glassware, textiles, woodwork, pottery, and beautiful dipped candles. Every year, 33,000 visitors travel to Växjö for this Christmas market. Besides crafts, you can enjoy the finest Christmas delicacies such as homemade cheesecake, homemade marzipan, caramel sweets from Mariannelund, glögg (mulled wine) from Huseby, aged cheeses from Osthuset, jam, marmalade, and numerous other specialties like the famous cinnamon drink from Huseby. The Huseby bruk julmässa (Christmas fair) in Huseby is open from 8th-16th November 2025. You can travel directly to Växjö with SJ from Gothenburg and Kalmar. After that, switch to bus 123. It’s advisable to check the bus times as the service is somewhat limited.
Another one I can check off my list. It’s a bit tricky to get there by public transport, but definitely worth the effort. Tip: book in advance for a lovely julbord!
7. Old-Fashioned Christmas Market at Falun Gruva, Dalarna
For those looking for something a bit special, the Christmas market at the World Heritage site Falun Gruva (Falun Mine) is worth a visit. Around 120 exhibitors gather here, selling locally produced food, wreaths, roasted almonds, and handicrafts. Take the opportunity to join a tour of the mine (must be booked in advance), ride a horse and cart, or deliver your letter to Santa. The Christmas market takes place on Sunday 7th December 2025. The train takes you directly to Falun from Stockholm, Uppsala, Gävle, Örebro, Borlänge, and Mjölby.
8. Tjolöholm Christmas Market in Kungsbacka
A Christmas market featuring a hundred exhibitors, Christmas decorations, Lucia processions, Christmas music, and a crackling fire is what you can expect at the Tjolöholm Slott Christmas Market. Santa Claus sits by the fireplace in the castle’s great hall, receiving the children’s wish lists. The Christmas market is open from 21st-23rd, 28th-30th November, and 5th-7th December 2025. Take the train to Gothenburg C and change there for the train to Kungsbacka C. From here, bus 732 will take you to the Christmas market.
9. Kosta Christmas Market between Växjö and Nybro
If you dream of a white Christmas, you should head to the Kosta Christmas Market. They use film-set technology here to create the ultimate festive feeling. Besides playing in the snow, you can also visit Kosta Glassworks and the Kosta Boda Art Gallery. You can take a carriage ride, and the little ones can have their faces painted. Among the stalls, you’ll find handicrafts from the Kosta glass factory, handmade candles, wool, wrought iron items, and ceramics. At the food stalls, you’ll find typical Christmas specialities as well as special sausages, ham, and smoked fish, plus unique items like oysters or reindeer from the North. The Kosta Christmas Market is open every Friday to Sunday from 15th November to 23rd December, and daily from 25th to 31st December 2025**.** You can travel directly to Kosta with SJ from Kalmar and Gothenburg to Lessebo, where you switch to bus 218.
10. Sigtuna Town Christmas Market
For over 50 years, Sigtuna’s Christmas market has attracted visitors from far and wide. Alongside the main square with classic Christmas goods, Santa Claus is ready to receive the children’s wish lists. There will also be Christmas music, Lucia choirs, and dancing around the Christmas tree. The market extends along both Stora Torget and Lilla torget. The Sigtuna Christmas market is open from 11 AM to 4 PM on the Sundays of Advent. The train takes you from Uppsala and Stockholm to Arlanda C or Märsta C, where you take bus 570, 575, or 583 towards Sigtuna/Märsta.
