The Most Magical Christmas Markets in Sweden

Liseberg, a huge theme park in Gothenburg, is transformed at Christmas with 5m festive lights, 700 trimmed-up trees and hoards of stalls for your fix of handicraft gifts and warm waffles. Hop on rides – including an obligatory go on the Christmas carousel – before catching spectacular light shows and ice ballet performances. Travelling with kids? Visit Santa’s workshop and the North Pole bunny in Rabbit Land. With ivy garlands and ruby bows at every turn, Liseberg makes for memorable, family-friendly fun.

When snow hits Stockholm, the city glitters with festive magic – especially at the historic Skansen Christmas Market, which opened in 1903. Old-style wooden huts replicating a traditional Swedish village sell various handiwork, such as Christmas cards and decorations. Take a seat at decked-up dining tables and tuck into local delicacies, such as smoked reindeer or elk meat wraps. Ride through atmospheric streets on horse-drawn carriages, watch craft demonstrations or dance to folk music around a lit-up tree. Christmas at Skansen is jollier than Santa himself.

The smell of gingerbread hits you the second you reach Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan. Clustered in the main square – around the colourful landmark buildings – you’ll find snow-dusted wooden huts selling multicoloured candles, winter woollies and glorious gifts perfect for your loved ones. Grab a steaming mug of glögg and a fresh gingerbread cookie as you wander the light-strung lanes – as the sound of carol singers rings through the cold air by the giant, glowing Christmas tree.

Do like Buddy the Elf and throw yourself into Christmas activities at the lively Malmö Christmas Market in the 19th-century Gustav Adolf Square, Skåne. Ride the charming carousel before twirling around the sparkling ice rink – stumbling and falling are permitted. Visit Santa, jig with joy to festive music, browse Scandinavian designer gifts and soak up performances from enchanting choirs. Travelling late November? Check out the light-switch-on ceremony, featuring glittering wintry scenes that twinkle throughout the Christmas season.

For one December weekend a year, find this unique market selling wares made by students of design, fashion and visual communications at Stockholm-based Beckmans School of Design. Expect gifts lovingly made with creative flair, from the trendy and chic to traditional and cute. They’re often environmentally friendly, too, perfect for a conscious Christmas. Once you’re shopped out at the market on Brahegatan 10 near Humlegården, head to the college’s cafe for glögg and warming cinnamon and saffron rolls.

Shop like the Christmas royal you are on the grounds of Drottningholm Palace, a Unesco-listed residence of the Swedish royal family. Browse canopy-topped stalls selling wreaths, candles, handmade jewellery and staple Christmas cuisine as you admire the grand 16th-century architecture. Don’t miss the lake, theatre and pavilion on the grounds – even more beautiful when it snows. Take a guided tour of the palace on the island of Lovön – just west of Stockholm – which can be reached by the festively decorated metro or bus.

Pretty, forest-lined Taxinge Castle – 60km (37mi) from Stockholm, accessible by bus or car – is often nicknamed “cake castle” because of its huge selection of delicious, home-made sweet treats. What better time to feast on them than at Christmas? Visit the cafe, and once you’re stuffed like a stocking, hit the whimsical stalls selling dainty crafts and winter woollies. Ready your stomach for round two of Swedish festive treats, such as fried herring sandwiches and freshly roasted nuts, all in a beautiful setting.

Come December, picturesque Sigtuna is like something out of a Christmas card. Witness bells and ivy garlands strung above colourful streets, hanging shop signs coated in the snow, children greeting Santa Claus and stalls selling festive gifts, crafts and sizzling treats. On the four Sundays before Christmas, the market runs from Stortorget to the historic, 10th-century Storgatan Street, with food stalls in Drakegårdens Trädgård. It’s the most charming of festivities in Sweden – you’ll feel like you’re in an enchanting festive film.