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. You can visit some of Stockholm's top 10 museums, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, City Hall and the old town of Gamla Stan, home to the city's oldest Christmas market. 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 all about the best tours in 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 dates coincide with the second week of December, you're in luck, because you can attend the Nobel Prize award ceremony, which is held at Stockholm City Hall, or watch it live on a screen in the museum.

Also, if you're wondering what to do in Stockholm with children, you can take part in the activities and workshops they organise 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 for adults is around €16. Free for children under 18 years of age.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday from 11:00 to 17:00; Thursday until 20:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

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

Enjoying a stroll through the Swedish capital and admiring the luminous artwork inspired by the Nobel Prize winners 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 façade of the City Hall.
• Continue along Drottninggatan street, where you can see the Christmas lights and decorations decorating the shops. There is also Klara Church, a 16th century temple.
• Continue to Stureplan, one of Stockholm's busiest and most elegant squares. Here you will see the Grand Hotel, where the Nobel Prize winners stay. You can also admire the large Christmas tree in the centre of the square, which is illuminated by thousands of light bulbs.

In addition, you can go to Östermalmtorg, a square located in the elegant Östermalm district. 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 cosy atmosphere.

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

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

• Kungstradgarden ice rink: one of the most famous and central ice rinks in Stockholm. Kungstradgarden, located in the Norrmalm district, is free to the public. As an added bonus, there is usually music and lights to liven up the atmosphere. It is also surrounded by cafés 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 over in December in Stockholm. Some of the most popular are Mälaren, Brunnsviken and Trekanten. Make sure the ice is thick and safe enough. A good idea is to book an introductory natural ice skating tour with a specialised company.

For a taste of Swedish culture and tradition, if you're in the capital for the second week of December, make sure you attend the Lucia Procession in Stockholm, a parade full of light, music and gentleness that usually takes place every year on December 13, coinciding with the winter solstice. It is a religious ceremony commemorating Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century.

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

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

Stockholm is a city that shines brightly during the Christmas season and one of the best ways to enjoy the festive atmosphere is by browsing the Christmas markets. You'll find everything from handicrafts, decorations, gifts and local produce to culinary delights, music and Swedish traditions.

Being in Stockholm from November onwards is also an opportunity to visit some of the Christmas markets. Most of them are set up from the end of November 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 biscuits). These are perfect starting points for a gastronomic tour of the city.

Among the options available, you can go to:

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

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

• NK (Nordiska Kompaniet); Stockholm's oldest and most exclusive shopping centre. 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 on Sergels Torg square.
• Sturegallerian; Stockholm's most exclusive shops are located here. It is also located on the Stureplan in the Östermalm district.

If you've had the chance to visit Stockholm in May in the height of the city's summer, then you'll be amazed at the luminous attraction in December from the quayside on the island of Skeppsholmen. From there you can see the city's Christmas tree.

An evening stroll along this pier in December will take you to admire what might be the world's largest tree. It is about 40 metres high and is decorated with thousands of lights and ornaments. It is a fir tree that travels from the north of 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, as this 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 iconic buildings such as the Royal Palace or the City Hall.

Also, if you are in Stockholm during the first week of December, you might be able to witness the lighting of the tree. Every year, thousands of people gather on the quayside to watch the tree light up for the first time, accompanied by music and fireworks. It's an emotional and festive moment that will get you in the Swedish Christmas spirit.

When the snow covers the rooftops and the sun sets early, there's a magical, cosy atmosphere. For spectacular views of the city and its winter landscape, you could either visit the view points to watch the sunset in December, or take one of Stockholm's boat tours. Sightseeing spots include:

• Monteliusvägen viewpoint: this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Stockholm, with a panoramic view of the island of Riddarholmen, the city hall, Lake Mälaren and the city centre. 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 lift viewpoint: it is a metal structure that lifts you 38 metres above sea level to see the city. It is located on the island of Södermalm and connects the Katarinavägen street with the Slussen neighbourhood. It is a perfect place to watch the sunset in December, when the sky is tinged with colours that reflect in the water.
• City Hall Tower; it is one of the symbols of Stockholm. It is 106 metres high and has windows in all directions, so you can see the island of Riddarholmen, the island of Södermalm, Lake Mälaren and the city centre. It's a fantastic place to watch the sunset in December, when the city lights come on and create a contrast with the darkness.

Being in Stockholm for Christmas could be the right time to take in the beauty of the Swedish capital and its Christmas traditions from a different 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 cosy art deco-style vessel, which will make you feel like you're 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 31 December, 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: a more modern and massive party where fireworks light up the sky against the backdrop of the royal castle, 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 centre located in the centre of Stockholm. You can choose from a variety of dinner, show and dance options, with a variety of music and a sophisticated atmosphere.
• Fotografiska; Stockholm's most important photography museum. For New Year's Eve, you can buy 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 year, giving the city a magical and festive feel.

Rainfall can also be a constant, so if you want to travel to Stockholm in December, the recommendation is to wrap up warm and enjoy the lights, markets and seasonal food.

December is low season in Stockholm, as it's very cold and there are few hours of sunshine. However, it is also a very beautiful 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 can find cheaper accommodation, transport and tickets to museums and attractions with fewer queues. You'll also be able to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace and without the stress of mass tourism.