Julmarknad! It’s time to embrace the dark, cold Swedish winter, wrap up warm and head to your local Christmas market. Browsing open air stalls, fire-pits, listening to Christmas music with a hot chocolate or steamy mug of glögg in hand. The perfect aroma of grilled sausage, freshly baked pastries and waffles makes snacking just impossible to resist! Isn’t that just the ultimate Christmas feeling?!
Although originally a German concept, these markets are now popular world over. Each country thriving on their opportunity to showcase handicrafts, decorations, native foods and traditions unique to their own cultures. Candles, Smoked deer, meats, mustards, high quality handicrafts, jewellery and knitwear are some of the Swedish specialities to look for!
The first Christmas market in Stockholm’s old town (Gamla Stan) dates right the way back to 1837 and bigger and better every year it is still operating today. Nowadays, these markets are held throughout advent in all Sweden’s major cities, scaled down versions are also held in smaller towns and villages.
Although all have the right ingredients to fill you from head to toe with Christmas cheer, they do all have a totally different vibe.
You can decide on medieval style, like that of the Gamla stan in Stockholm or for the more adventurous thrill-seeking shoppers Göteborg’s theme park Liseberg hosts its own market and is never more popular than at Christmastime.
Another newbie favourite, is the cosy, picture-perfect Gustav Adolf square in Malmö. However, our favourite with kids in mind has been a calendar highlight since 1903. You find it in Stockholm’s open-air museum Skansen and it’s a beauty. Alongside all that is traditional, children relish the opportunity to meet the resident animals and participate in craft workshops.
So, whether you are city or country folk there is sure to be a julmarknad near you this weekend. Christmas markets near you.
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