Heidi Planning to spend the Christmas holidays in Sweden? I’ve compiled the very best tips for you right here! Dream of a white Christmas break? Sweden is the perfect destination for a magical winter escape. Discover tips for atmospheric city breaks, unique winter activities like husky sledding and ice skating, and the best places to spot the Northern Lights.
Winter city breaks in Sweden during the Christmas holidays
Although the Christmas markets in Sweden generally pack up after 23rd December, the festive lights and decorations usually stay a little longer (until 13th January – Knutsdagen, or St. Knut’s Day). The festive season is one of my favourite times for a city break!
Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö aren’t guaranteed snow, but the chance of a dusting and a white Christmas is slightly higher than in the UK. Even without snow, though, these cities are definitely worth a visit. Below is an overview of the festive activities in each city.
- city break in Stockholm in winter
- Christmas in Stockholm
- Julstaden Gothenburg (Christmas City Gothenburg)
- Christmas in Malmö
- celebrating New Year’s Eve in Stockholm
Umeå is also an ideal spot for a winter city break. It’s a compact city, perfect for exploring over a few days, and it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding area. At Granö Beckasin (about 100 km from Umeå) you can stay overnight in a Bird’s Nest and book plenty of winter activities (see below).
For the keen shoppers: it’s good to know that the sales start in Sweden on Boxing Day (mellandagsrea). If you’re spending the Christmas holidays in Sweden, be sure to leave some space in your suitcase!
Unique places and sights for Christmas in Sweden
Of course, Sweden is much more than its big cities. Below I offer some inspiration – a mix of things I’ve experienced myself and little things high up on my personal wish list.
The Gävle Goat (Gävlebocken): the giant straw Christmas goat
In Gävle, about 175 km north of Stockholm, they erect a massive ‘Christmas Goat’ (julbocken) every year on the first Advent. The Gävlebocken is the world’s largest straw goat, standing about 13 metres tall. Despite security, the goat sometimes, unfortunately, has a short life due to sabotage and arson. But if it survives, it remains standing until after the New Year.
Sagolandet Tomteland (Santa World)
Sagolandet Tomteland or Santa World is near Mora, in Dalarna (Central Sweden). It’s a place where you’ll find yourself immersed in winter fairy tale scenes.
Staying at the Icehotel near Kiruna
Although the Icehotel can now be visited all year round, most people associate it primarily with winter. Staying overnight is a real experience, and I’d highly recommend visiting the Icehotel during the day. And if you’re in the area, pop over to Kiruna, Sweden’s most northern city, too.
Popular winter activities for your Christmas holiday in Sweden
- sauna and then rolling in the snow or jumping into an ice hole!
- a husky sledding tour past snow-covered treetops is on many people’s bucket lists. I was a bit sceptical at first, but when I saw the huskies’ enthusiasm for running and learned that it’s truly a collaboration with them, I was converted. Uphill, you help push with the huskies, so a basic level of fitness is required. A husky tour is a profound experience.
- snowmobiling through the winter landscape is not really my thing. I don’t quite understand why we want to race through pristine natural beauty on motorised vehicles. However, the snowmobile is also an almost everyday mode of transport, especially in northern Sweden. I recall seeing snowmobiles parked on driveways next to cars in Kiruna during the summer.
Speed demons will surely enjoy a snowmobile ride. I, personally, was white-knuckling it every time I was on the machine (like here), although I enjoyed the first time more than the second. Tastes differ.
- ice skating on natural ice is a completely different experience from skating at an indoor rink. Find a local guide who knows how to do it safely, pack some fika (coffee and cake) for along the way, and enjoy! Just outside Stockholm, I skated once at Hellasgården. And in February 2020, I even participated in a skating competition. One day, I want to return to Tavelsjön to skate the circuit at my leisure and soak up the scenery.
- for a classic winter sports holiday, you might not immediately think of Sweden. Yet, skiing in Sweden is on the rise. The ski areas are usually quieter than the popular resorts in the well-known ski countries. And did you know you can even ski in Stockholm? Read more about skiing in Sweden here.
- finally, ice fishing cannot be missing from this list. I’ve done it a couple of times now, and I still find it fascinating. Ice fishing can be perfectly combined with a snowmobile tour. One time we didn’t catch a single fish; the second time, we had just enough for an aperitif snack, haha. It does feel quite tough to make a hole for ice fishing with such a large ice drill. I think it would be fun with children too.
Spotting the Northern Lights during the Christmas holidays in Sweden
From mid-August to mid-April, you have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Sweden. Especially if you head to the northern part of the country. You can check the Aurora app to see the probability of the Northern Lights appearing that night. If there’s a chance, the key is to find a dark spot. Then wait. And cross your fingers.
A New Year’s Eve under the Northern Lights instead of fireworks, or a white Christmas with the aurora borealis as the icing on the cake – what a dream that would be… If you celebrate your Christmas holidays in Sweden, it could just come true!
Practical tips for your Christmas holiday in Sweden
- Christmas markets finish after 23/12.
- many restaurants close on 23rd and 24th December. Be sure to check in advance + book in good time!
- how much daylight is there in Sweden in winter? find out here.
- does it snow in Stockholm in winter?
Packing tips: what to bring to Sweden in winter?
- layers, layers, layers! it’s usually quite warm indoors. outside can be extremely cold. make sure you have layers of clothing you can easily remove or add.
- for footwear, I recommend waterproof boots. and I usually put an insulating/heat-reflecting insole in my shoes.
- an extra external battery (power bank) for your smartphone + an extra battery for your camera will certainly come in handy. the cold causes batteries to drain faster.
- I’m going to Sweden and I’m taking… find more packing tips here.
Do you have any more tips for a Christmas holiday in Sweden? Share them in the comments!
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