Christmas markets in Sweden – 12 cozy Christmas markets to visit

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | Christmas markets in Sweden offer everything from old-fashioned Christmas among historic farms to castle environments, medieval alleys and millions of Christmas lights. We have visited the Christmas markets at Skansen, in Gamla stan and in Kosta ourselves, and have also been to several of the other locations during other seasons. Here we recommend 12 cozy Christmas markets in Sweden – from Skåne in the south to Gammelstad in the north.

Christmas markets in Sweden

Visiting a Christmas market is a nice way to brighten up the dark days before Christmas. Here you can browse among crafts and Christmas gifts, try local delicacies, drink something warm and maybe get a dose of old-fashioned Christmas spirit.

Swedish Christmas markets can also look very different. At Skansen you will encounter Swedish Christmas traditions in a historic setting, in Kosta the Christmas market combines glass and millions of Christmas lights and in Visby you can experience medieval Christmas among torches and church ruins. Elsewhere markets are arranged in castles, in old wooden towns and among historic farms.

We have visited three of the Christmas markets in this guide ourselves. We have marked these with 🎄Visited by FREEDOMtravel. We have also visited several of the locations at other times of the year.

Please note that dates, opening hours and programs are subject to change, so always check with the organizer for current information before planning your trip.

1. Christmas at Skansen, Stockholm

🎄Visited by FREEDOMtravel

Skansen's Christmas market is a true Swedish Christmas classic. The tradition dates back to 1903 and the market sells crafts made of wood, textiles, ceramics and wool, Christmas food, marzipan and Christmas bread. Those who are hungry can also warm themselves with mulled wine or try waffles, kolbuls and roasted almonds.

When we visited Skansen the last weekend before Christmas, there were a lot of people, but also a lot of Christmas spirit. We walked among the market stalls on Bollnästorget, saw singing and dancing around the Christmas tree and at the same time took the opportunity to experience Skansen's historical environments and crafts. In this way, the Christmas market becomes more than just a row of market stalls - you can easily spend many hours here.

During the Christmas period, historical Christmas celebrations are also shown in several of Skansen's houses, with decorated Christmas trees, Christmas tables, baking and stories about how Christmas was celebrated in the past.

When 2026: Friday–Sunday, November 27–December 20.

READ MORE: Visiting Skansen in Stockholm

2. Christmas market in Gammelstad, Luleå

Far up north you will find a Christmas market with a completely different setting. At the Hägnan open-air museum in Gammelstad, a traditional Christmas market is arranged among historic buildings, farms and outbuildings.

The focus here is on an old-fashioned and genuine feel. The market offers traditional crafts, arts and crafts, delicacies and homemade baked goods, while mass-produced products do not belong in the range.

There is also a lot to experience besides the shopping itself. You can meet the Santa family and their reindeer, listen to Christmas music, go on a fairy tale walk and learn more about old Christmas traditions. The organizer describes the environment as stepping straight into an old-fashioned Christmas card – and with a little luck, the Norrland winter might help with the setting.

Please take the opportunity to discover at the same time Gammelstad church town, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

When 2026: December 5–6, 12–4 p.m.

3. Christmas in Kosta, Småland

🎄 Visited by FREEDOMtravel

In Kosta, the Christmas market is just part of the experience. Here you are in the middle of the Kingdom of Glass, where glassmaking and glass art are combined with market stalls, Christmas activities and, above all, lots of Christmas lights.

When we visited Kosta during Christmas time, a whopping six million Christmas lights were lit. It felt like almost every tree and every facade was shining against the November sky, and even after the Christmas market itself had closed for the evening, it was fantastic to walk through the area.

We also walked through a snow-covered forest to Santa's World – where we adults perhaps appreciated the forest itself at least as much as Santa – and combined the Christmas market with the Småland tradition of hyttsirl.

The cabin herring was served in the glass workshop, where a glassblower worked, told stories, and let eager guests try their hand at it. It actually became one of our favorite experiences during the visit.

Even today, lights are a big part of Christmas in Kosta. The organizer describes millions of Christmas lights in trees and buildings and a market with local crafts, Christmas food and treats.

When 2026: The Christmas market is scheduled for Friday–Sunday, November 21–December 20, and daily, December 25–31, with a closing date on Christmas Eve.

READ MORE: Kosta Christmas market - a wonderful Christmas atmosphere in the Kingdom of Crystal.

4. Medieval Christmas in Visby, Gotland

Christmas market with torchlight procession through Visby's alleys and market inside a medieval church ruin? Yes please!

Medieval Christmas is held in the S Nicolai ruin in Visby and is one of the more unusual Christmas markets on this list. Here visitors are greeted by warm fires, crafts, contemporary music, storytelling, concerts, and food and drink in a historic setting.

The event also begins with a torchlight procession from Österport that continues through Visby's alleys to the church ruins.

For those who already enjoy Medieval Week, this feels like an exciting way to experience a completely different side of Visby. And if there is snow on the ground, the atmosphere is unlikely to get any worse.

When 2026: December 4–6.

5. Christmas market at Tjolöholm Castle, Halland

Tjolöholm Castle is special already during the summer – we know this because we have visited the place ourselves – but for a few weeks before Christmas the castle area is transformed into a large Christmas market.

Here you will find selected exhibitors with crafts, local products, delicacies and other things related to Christmas. According to Tjolöholm, the ambition is to create a genuine Christmas market with inspiration from Christmas around the turn of the last century.

There is also plenty to do between the market stalls. Visitors can meet Santa and Santa Claus, ride a horse and carriage, and listen to music and choir singing. When darkness falls, the market day ends with a fire show, while the Christmas lights transform the entire castle area.

When 2026: November 20–22, November 27–29 and December 4–6.

6. Christmas market at Jamtli, Östersund

At Jamtli in Östersund, the Christmas market combines historic farms and Jämtland crafts. Nearly 200 local craftsmen participate and there are crafts, handicrafts and food from Jämtland and Härjedalen. Fires burn all around and the area offers choir singing, Christmas crafts, dog sleds, horses and your own Santa Claus.

It is precisely this combination that makes Jamtli an interesting Christmas market destination. It is not just about buying Christmas presents, but about entering the historical environments and getting a dose of Jämtland Christmas at the same time.

And you still find yourself in Östersund The Christmas market can of course be combined with a winter weekend in the city and perhaps more experiences in Jämtland.

When 2026: December 4–6.

7. Christmas market in Gamla Stan, Stockholm

🎄 Visited by FREEDOMtravel

The Christmas market at Stortorget in the Old Town is small, but the setting is hard to beat. The colorful old houses around the square almost feel like they were built to serve as a backdrop for a traditional Swedish Christmas market.

When we visited the market ourselves, we found ceramics, knitted mittens, cast candles, straw goats, sweets and various delicacies. Our impression was about the same as today when we look back on the visit: the market itself is quite quick to walk around, but the location makes the whole experience.

When you're done with the market stalls, you'll also have the entire Old Town in front of you, with alleys, historic buildings, cafes and restaurants. The Christmas market at Stortorget was first held in 1837 and is often described as Sweden's oldest Christmas market.

When 2026: As we update this guide in September 2026, this year's market has not yet been confirmed by the organiser. Information about 2026 appears elsewhere, but we recommend checking the organiser's latest announcements before planning a visit.

READ MORE: Christmas market in Stockholm's Old Town

8. Christmas at Fredriksdal, Helsingborg

On Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens in Helsingborg you can experience old-fashioned Scanian Christmas among historic houses and farms.

We have visited Fredriksdal ourselves in the summer and think the environment is very nice even then. In December it is filled with Christmas preparations, market stalls, dancing around the tree, Santa's hut and activities for children.

Around a hundred vendors offer crafts, bread, caramels, marzipan, sausages and other Christmas products. When darkness falls, thousands of lights and marshals are lit along roads and paths, while courtyards and alleys are filled with fires and music.

This feels like a Christmas market where the environment itself and the old traditions are at least as important as the shopping.

When 2026: December 4–6.

9. Huseby Christmas Fair, Småland

On Huseby mill Outside Växjö, Christmas starts early. The big Christmas fair is arranged in the historic mill environment as early as the beginning of November.

We have visited Huseby ourselves in the summer, but during the Christmas fair the place takes on a completely different character. The program includes various activities around the area, and in 2026 there will be Christmas at the castle, candy cane cooking, storytimes, Christmas crafts and the opportunity to go horse and carriage or ride a pony.

Of course, there is also the Christmas fair itself with crafts and food products, which makes Huseby an alternative for those who primarily want to browse thoroughly among Christmas gifts and treats.

An advantage for the impatient is that Huseby is early in the calendar, meaning you can get a jump start on the Christmas market season long before December has even begun.

When 2026: November 7–15.

10. Christmas at Liseberg, Gothenburg

Don't you want a low-key, old-fashioned Christmas, but rather maximum Christmas, Liseberg is a completely different option.

During Christmas at Liseberg, the Christmas market is combined with an amusement park, winter-open attractions, Christmas food and lots of lighting. The Christmas celebration at Liseberg has been organized since 2000 and has grown over the years into a great winter experience.

For families with children, there is Tomtebyn and, of course, Kaninlandet, while those who are primarily looking for Christmas atmosphere can stroll around among market stalls, decorations and lights.

This is something completely different from the Christmas market in Eksjö or at Jamtli – but that's exactly why Liseberg deserves a place on the list. Instead of historical small-scaleness, you get an entire amusement park that goes all out for Christmas.

When 2026: The Christmas market opens on November 14th and is open on selected days through December 30th.

11. Eksjö Christmas Market, Småland

I Eksjö The historic wooden town is the very setting for the Christmas market. The ambition is to transport visitors to a market day a hundred years ago. Among the stalls you will find, for example, juniper wreaths, ceramics, silversmithing, cast candles, knitwear and weaving, along with Christmas treats such as marzipan, smoked fish, sausages, cheesecake and jam.

But it doesn't stop at the market stalls. Jesters and fire eaters move through the area and there is live music, choirs, horse-drawn carriages, craft demonstrations and a closing fire show.

The market spreads out both outdoors and indoors in the old wooden town, making Eksjö's historic environment an important part of the experience.

When 2026: December 5–6.

12. Christmas at Taxinge Castle, Sörmland

We'll end with a castle – and cookies. That still seems reasonable, doesn't it? On Taxinge Näsby Castle A large Christmas fair is being arranged with over a hundred craftsmen. Here you can browse among handmade products and take the opportunity to solve some of your Christmas gift problems at the same time.

Taxinge is also known as The Castle of Kaks, so a visit to the Christmas market doesn't have to be just about crafts and Christmas gifts. For those with a sweet tooth, there are good reasons to combine the market with a coffee at the castle.

The environment at the Sörmland castle also makes Taxinge a great excursion destination for those who want to combine the Christmas market with a trip to the countryside.

When 2026: November 13–15 and November 19–22.

Want to travel a little further to get into the Christmas spirit? Here you will also find our tips on Christmas markets in Europe, from Tallinn and Prague to Nuremberg and Vienna.

When do the Christmas markets start in Sweden?

Swedish Christmas markets start at quite different times. Some of the large Christmas fairs open as early as early or mid-November, while many more traditional markets are arranged during the Advent holidays in late November and early December.

Some markets only last a single weekend. Others, like Skansen, are arranged over several weekends, while Kosta and Liseberg have significantly longer Christmas seasons.

It is therefore wise to check the dates before planning your trip. Also, be sure to check the program – concerts, Lucia celebrations, children's activities and other events may only be held on certain days.

Our Christmas markets in Sweden

Of the Christmas markets on this list, we have experienced them ourselves Skansen, Old Town and Kosta. They are very different from each other.

At Skansen we like the combination of Christmas market, historical environments and Swedish Christmas traditions. The Old Town market is considerably smaller, but has a fantastic location on Stortorget. And in Kosta it was above all all the Christmas lights, the glass art and the experience with cabin herring in the glass factory that made the visit special.

We have also visited Tjolöholm, Fredriksdal and Huseby at other times of the year. In other words, returning to one of them when the Christmas market is on is on the wish list.

Which Swedish Christmas market do you like best? And is there any really cozy market that you think we should discover?