10 Things to Do in Stockholm in December

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a city with a charm that increases in December. In the last month of the year, the city dresses up for winter and the tourist offer is transformed to offer activities that mix the urban with the natural.

The days are short and the nights are long, so the city is illuminated with thousands of lights and Christmas decorations. So, you can visit some of Stockholm's top 10 museums, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, City Hall and the old town of Gamla Stan, where the city's oldest Christmas market is located. All this and more is part of the best things to do in Stockholm during your trip.

Venturing out to see the city in December is to venture into the best tours of Stockholm and some of them will take you to the Nobel Prize Museum. The last month of the year is the ideal time to visit this destination because the Christmas lights elevate the majesty of the place.

In fact, if your travel date coincides with the second week of December, you are in luck, because you can attend the Nobel Prize ceremony, which is held at the Stockholm City Hall, or watch it live from a screen in the museum.

Also, if you are wondering what things to do in Stockholm with children, you can participate in the activities and workshops they organize for the whole family. You can also enjoy the Christmas atmosphere at Stortorget Square, where the museum is located, and visit Stockholm's oldest Christmas market.

Useful information

• Price: Admission per adult is around 16 €. For children under 18 years is free.
• Hours: Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; Thursday until 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Whether you decide to take a sightseeing bus tour or a walking tour of Stockholm, December is the month to see the city's illumination. Its streets look magical as they are bathed in colorful lights and decorated facades.

Enjoying a stroll through the Swedish capital and admiring the luminous artwork inspired by the Nobel Prizes and Christmas tradition can be one of the top 10 things to do in Stockholm at night. If this interests you, I recommend you follow this route:

• Start your tour at Sergels torg square; the heart of the city, where you can see the History of Light projection on the facade of the City Hall.
• Continue along Drottninggatan street, where you can see the Christmas lights and decorations that decorate the stores. There is also the church of Klara; a temple of the sixteenth century.
• Continue to Stureplan, one of the most elegant and busy squares in Stockholm. Here you will see the Grand Hotel; where the Nobel Prize winners stay. You can also admire the large Christmas tree that is placed in the center of the square and is illuminated with thousands of light bulbs.

In addition, you can go to Östermalmtorg, a square located in the elegant neighborhood of Östermalm. In the streets around the square, such as Biblioteksgatan, Mäster Samuelsgatan or Grev Turegatan, you can admire more Christmas lights and decorations that create a festive and cozy atmosphere.

Among the things to do in Stockholm in winter, ice skating is a popular activity for both locals and tourists. To venture out is also to admire the beauty of the snowy landscapes and feel the Christmas spirit that invades the city in December.

In addition, ice skating in Stockholm has the advantage that you can choose from different options, from artificial rinks to natural frozen lakes. Check out some of the options:

• Kungstradgarden ice rink: it is one of the most famous and centrally located ice rinks in Stockholm. Kungstradgarden, located in the Norrmalm neighborhood, is free to the public. As an added bonus, there is usually music and lights to liven up the atmosphere. In addition, it is surrounded by cafes and restaurants where you can have a hot drink after skating.
• Natural lakes: If you prefer a more authentic and adventurous experience, you can opt for one of the lakes that freeze in December in Stockholm. Some of the most popular are Mälaren, Brunnsviken and Trekanten. You should make sure that the ice is thick and safe enough. A good idea is to book an introductory natural ice skating tour with a specialized company.

For an experience of Swedish culture and tradition, if you are in the capital for the second week of December, you should take the opportunity to attend the Lucia procession in Stockholm, a parade full of light, music and sweetness that is usually held every year on December 13, coinciding with the winter solstice. It is a religious ceremony commemorating St. Lucy, a Christian martyr who lived in the fourth century.

The procession is a very popular and expected holiday in Sweden, especially in the capital. So if you visit Stockholm in 3 days, you could incorporate it into your itinerary of a private tour of Stockholm. The best part is that you can enjoy the procession from St. Nicholas Church in the historic center of Stockholm.

You can also watch the Lucia procession at Stockholm City Hall, where a concert is held amidst a very festive atmosphere. Another option is to follow the procession from Skansen Park, the oldest open-air museum in the world. You can also watch the procession from Drottningholm Castle.

Stockholm is a city that shines with its own light during the Christmas season and one of the best ways to enjoy its festive atmosphere is by visiting its Christmas markets. In them, you can find everything from crafts, decorations, gifts and local products, to gastronomic delights, music and Swedish traditions.

Being in Stockholm since November is also an opportunity to go to some of the Christmas markets. Most of them are set up from the end of that month and remain until the end of December. They sell typical Swedish products such as sausages, cheese, honey, chocolate, glögg (mulled wine), lussekatter (saffron buns) and pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies). Without a doubt, they are perfect starting points to begin a gastronomic tour of the city.

Among the options available, you can go to:

• Gamla Stan Old Town Christmas Market; it is the oldest and most famous in Stockholm. It is also free and you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere that permeates the cobblestone streets and colorful houses of Gamla Stan, and visit its main monuments, such as the Royal Palace, the Cathedral or the Nobel Museum.
• Skansen Christmas Market: is another must to visit in Stockholm in December. You can see how traditional crafts are made, such as blown glass, ceramics, leather or wrought iron, and buy them directly from the artisans. You will also taste typical dishes of Swedish cuisine, such as herring, salmon, reindeer or rye bread, and sweets such as nougat, caramel or chocolate.

In the last week of December, between Christmas and New Year, many stores and shopping malls offer sales and discounts of up to 70% on their products. In addition, Stockholm and its stores are illuminated with thousands of lights and Christmas decorations that create a **cozy and magical atmosphere.**The city is full of stores and boutiques, so here are some of the best places to go shopping in December:

• NK (Nordiska Kompaniet); is Stockholm's oldest and most exclusive shopping mall. It is located on Hamngatan street, near Kungsträdgården park.
• Gallerian; is very busy and has a wide range of services.
• Åhléns; is a chain that sells everything from clothing and accessories to household appliances and cosmetics. Its largest branch is in Sergels Torg square.
• Sturegallerian; here you can find the most exclusive stores in Stockholm. It is also located in the Stureplan, in the Östermalm district.

If you have had the opportunity to go to Stockholm in May at the height of the city's summer splendor, then you will be amazed by its luminous attraction in December from the pier on the island of Skeppsholmen. From there you can see the city's Christmas tree.

An evening stroll along this pier in December will lead you to admire what might be the world's largest tree. It is about 40 meters high and is decorated with thousands of lights and ornaments. It is a fir tree that travels from northern Sweden to the capital.

From the pier, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Baltic Sea. Don't forget to bring your camera, because it is an ideal place to capture the magic of Christmas in Stockholm. You will be able to take amazing pictures of the tree, the surrounding boats and the emblematic buildings such as the Royal Palace or the City Hall.

Also, if you are in Stockholm during the first week of December, you could witness the lighting of the tree. Every year, thousands of people gather at the pier to watch it light up for the first time, accompanied by music and fireworks. It is a very emotional and festive moment, which will make you feel the Christmas spirit of the Swedes.

When the snow covers the rooftops and the sun sets early, there's a magical, cozy atmosphere. If you want to have spectacular views of the city and its winter landscape, you could either visit its viewpoints to watch the sunset in December, or take one of the boat trips around Stockholm. Sightseeing spots include:

• Monteliusvägen viewpoint: it is one of the most beautiful in Stockholm, with a panoramic view of the island of Riddarholmen, the city hall, Lake Mälaren, and the city center. You can sit and enjoy the scenery and the sunset, which in December is usually around 15:00, take pictures and feel the Christmas atmosphere.
• Katarina elevator viewpoint: it is a metal structure that lifts you 38 meters above sea level to see the city. In addition, it is located on the island of Södermalm and connects with the street Katarinavägen with the Slussen neighborhood. It is a perfect place to watch the sunset in December, when the sky is tinged with colors that are reflected in the water.
• City Hall Tower; is one of the symbols of Stockholm. It is 106 meters high and has windows in all directions, to see the island of Riddarholmen, the island of Södermalm, Lake Mälaren and downtown. It is a fantastic place to watch the sunset in December, when the city lights are turned on and create a contrast with the darkness.

Being in Stockholm for Christmas could be the right time to revel in the beauty of the Swedish capital and its Christmas traditions from another perspective. For example, you can join a dinner cruise around the Stockholm archipelago to celebrate Christmas.

The Christmas cruise gives you the opportunity to admire the scenery of the snow-covered islands and the lights that adorn the city. In addition to the panoramic views, the ship is an elegant and cozy art deco-style vessel, which will make you feel like in a fairy tale.

Also, a Christmas buffet awaits you with a wide variety of choices, from classic Christmas ham to smoked salmon, pickled herring, Janssons frestelse and other hot and cold dishes.

It's an experience that will give you a taste of Stockholm's culture and history, as well as its festive and welcoming atmosphere. You can relax and enjoy the music, the food and the sights. It's also a way to celebrate Christmas that you won't soon forget, and you'll feel part of the magic of this time of year.

Stockholm is an ideal destination to celebrate New Year's Eve, offering a variety of activities to suit all tastes and budgets. From music and poetry shows to fireworks and ice skating, you'll be amazed by the charm and diversity of its New Year's Eve parties. Check out some of the best:

• New Year's Eve in Skansen. On the night of December 31, it becomes the setting for a traditional New Year's Eve celebration, which includes a recital of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Ring Out, Wild Bells," live music, champagne and an impressive fireworks display over the royal castle.
• New Year's Eve at Norrbro and Gustav Adolfs Torg: is a more modern and multitudinous party where fireworks light up the sky with the royal castle as a backdrop, creating a magical and festive atmosphere.
• Debaser Medis; a live music club located in the Södermalm district. On New Year's Eve, you can attend a special concert.
• Berns; a luxury hotel and cultural center located in the center of Stockholm. You can choose between different dinner, show and dance options, with varied music and a sophisticated atmosphere.
• Fotografiska; Stockholm's most important photography museum. For New Year's Eve, you can purchase tickets and enjoy a gala dinner overlooking the sea, followed by a party with DJ and open bar.

The weather in Stockholm during December is very cold and wet. In fact, temperatures usually range from -7 to 3 °C1. Snow is also common at this time of the year, which gives the city a magical and festive look.

Rains can also be a constant, so if you want to travel to Stockholm in December, the recommendation is to dress warmly and enjoy the lights, markets and typical seasonal cuisine.

December is low season in Stockholm, as it is very cold and there are few hours of sunshine. However, it is also a very nice time to visit the city, as Christmas is celebrated with markets, lights and decorations.

It is also a good option if you want to avoid the crowds and high prices of other times of the year. As it is low season, you will be able to find cheaper accommodation, transportation and tickets to museums and attractions with less queues. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the city more calmly and without the stress of mass tourism.