Winter fun
in Stockholm

Things do this winter in Stockholm. So many of you have been searching on Littlebearabroad for winter activities, we thought it best to put them all in the same place…

1

Christmas Lights

Stockholm lights up on Saturday 25th November with great ceremony! The big switch on starts at 15:00 at Brunkebergstorg.

 

This year over a million LED lights and 40 streets, squares and public spaces will be lit in Stockholm. You can follow a map and treasure hunt via #Stockholmjul

 

image by: Henrik Trygg /mediabank. visitstockholm.com

2

Christmas Markets

This year there seems to be even more Christmas markets, so don’t be fooled by the tourist traps and money drains. Have a peek at Littlebearabroad’s brilliant guide to the BEST Christmas markets in Stockholm.  So much jule-tid joy and festivities. Enjoy some of the best hand made and locally produced, Swedish goods on the market.

 

image by: Jeppe Wikström/visitstockholm.com


3

Ice Skating

There are two outdoor ice skating rinks you can check out, Kungsträdgården and Vasaparken.

 

At Kungsträdgården you can hire skates, helmets and other ski accessories. There are food trucks and vans selling glögg, korv (sausages) and coffee. It’s a great family day out and so much fun. Wrap up warm as it can get windy on the ice. You can read all about it, here, from last year!

 

image by: Henrik Trygg/visitstockholm.com

 

 

Vasaparken has a similar set up but there are no hire of skates or skating accessories.

 


4

Lucia Concerts

You can read all about the family Lucia concerts at Stora Kyrkan on Gamla Stan, here.

 

Lucia concerts can be quite difficult to get tickets for, but no doubt you’ll be invited to your kids Luciatåg at school or preschool. Fun times! We’ve also put together a collection of Lucia songs that you’ll hear.

 

Swedish Lucia songs to learn.

 

image by: Emilie Asplund/imagebank.sweden.se

5

Julbord

“Julbord” is a word you’ll be seeing a lot of in the coming months. From top end hotels to Ikea… everyone offers a Julbord. It means, “Christmas table” and is the Christmas banquet or feast served throughout the season. You can expect:

 

– pickled herring

– fish eggs

– pork sausages

– potato salad

– beetroot salads

– gravlax

– meatballs

– Christmas ham

 

If you do get the opportunity to try it out, it’s really worth it!

 

image by: Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden.se

6

Christmas at Skansen

This is quite possibly the most Christmassy thing you can do during November and December. There are markets, dancing around the Christmas tree, Christmas music and choirs, Christmas pottery making, Lil Skansen theatre. They really know how to show Swedish Christmas at it’s best.

 

But, remember to wrap up warm, being out doors and at the top of a hill is windy! If you’d like to read more about Skansen at Christmas, take a look at the Skansen Christmas market.


7

Meet Santa at Nordiska Kompaniet

Making a tradition of visiting Santa as part of your festive fun can continue with Santa’s grotto at Nordiska Kompaniet on Hamngatan, Stockholm.

 

Sunday, November 19th, Santa arrives at NK in a horse driven carriage to the sound of trumpets and choral singing.

 

Santa will be at NK at various times throughout November and December and you can find all the details, here.

 

8

Glögg & saffron buns

Glögg and saffron buns are synonymous with winter and the festive season in Sweden. I love glögg, so much more than gluhwein. It’s sweeter, spicier and a little bit thicker. Most of the time it’s also alcoholic. But, Littlebearabroad has put together the best recipe for family friendly glögg…it is DEEEE-LICIOUS and perfect for serving at family gatherings, parties and work do’s.

 

image by: image by: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se


9

Sledging

When the snow does eventually arrive there are some absolute corking sledging parks around Stockholm. The only way to get through winter, especially the dark days, is by spending them outdoors as much as possible. Sledging, ice skating and making snow pies… You can read about all the great sledging spots on Littlebearabroad’s guide, here.

 

If you’re feeling REALLY brave, you could try lake skating around the Stockholm Archipelago. Book an introductory course with a number of adventure companies. It’s quite pricey and kids must be 15 years and over.

 

ICEguide.s

stockholmadventures.se

Hellasgården.se


10

Skiing in the heart of the city

Try out Skiing! Stockholm’s nearest ski slope is perfect for beginners and young skiers. It’s located on Hammarbybacken. It’s so close to Stockholm you can get there by public transport.

 

You can rent ski equipment and book lessons via Friluftsfrämjandet.

 

You can find out everything about Hammarbybacken, including weather, piste conditions and ski lift opening times, here.

 

 

image by: Sara Ingman / imagebank.sweden.se



More of the good stuff