Stockholm is ideal for a scandi city break at any time of year – but what’s the Christmas vibe like? I headed to Stockholm Christmas Market to find out.
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In this Stockholm Christmas Market review, I’m giving my verdict on Christmas Markets – Swedish style – exploring what’s on offer from food and drink to shopping.
Coming up in this review
Everything You Need to Know About Stockholm Christmas Markets
Now Sweden doesn’t have the big Christmas Market tradition of some other European countries, yet festive celebrations here go back hundreds of years.
The Christmas Market in Stockholm Old Town is actually the oldest one in Sweden and dates back to the Middle Ages!
At this time of year, Sweden – along with other Scandinavian countries – also celebrates St Lucia’s Day on 13 December. It’s a festival of light and if you visit around this time you can expect extra celebrations like processions with candles and singing.
My Christmas Market Bingo Challenge
I’m at Stockholm Christmas Market as part of my Christmas Market Bingo challenge.
The rules are pretty simple: I’ve got 5 days and £500 to get a full house on my festive Bingo Card.
I’m visiting 5 Christmas Markets in total – my first stop was Hamburg, and now my second stop brings me to Stockholm.
How many Christmas Markets are there in Stockholm?
Stortorgets Julmarknad is the name of the historic Christmas Market that takes place in the city’s Old Town – called Gamla Stan. Merchants have been trading on this spot since medieval times.
There’s also Skansen Christmas Market, at the Skansen open air museum on Djurgården island. You can explore past centuries of Swedish history here – so you can imagine the quaint and traditional feel of its Christmas Market.
For Skansen market you’ll need to pay the museum entry fee, which is 305 SEK (£24.40). As well as the market, there’s a whole programme of Christmas events including carols, music concerts and a festive feast.
When do Stockholm Christmas Markets Open in 2025?
Stockholm Christmas Markets open at the end of November and run until just before Christmas.
Stortorgets Julmarknad opening times
- Saturday 22 November – Tuesday 23 December 2025
- Sun-Thu: 11am-6pm; Fri & Sat 11am-7pm
Skansen Christmas Market opening times
- Friday 28 November – Sunday 21 December 2025
- 10am-5pm daily
- 305 SEK (£24.40)
Is Stockholm a Good Destination for Christmas Markets?
Stockholm is a smart choice for a Christmas Market stay if you’re seeking a dose of twinkly magic amongst the usual city break activities.
If you’d rather be engulfed in Christmas cheer and want multiple markets to explore, you’d probably be happier somewhere that’s a more celebrated Christmas Market destination like Nuremburg, Strasbourg or Vienna.
How Expensive Are Stockholm Christmas Markets?
Now, I was surprised by the prices at Stockholm Christmas Market actually!
Scandinavia has a reputation for being expensive, but I actually thought the prices were very reasonable. Even – dare I say it – cheap!
I got a mulled wine for 40SEK (£3.20) and a bratwurst for 50SEK (£4). These were both cheaper than the ones I got in Hamburg Christmas Market the day before.
What Are The Best Stockholm Christmas Market Hotels?
I’ve listed some recommended hotels in Stockholm below. The city centre is pretty walkable, and there’s the metro, trams, buses and ferries (Stockholm is an archipelago after all) to get further afield.
My Review of Stockholm Christmas Market
First Impressions
My first impression of Stockholm Christmas Market – Stortorgets Julmarknad – was… it was tiny!!!
Stood in Gamla Stan within Stortoget Square, there isn’t too much space for this market to play with.
But, thanks to the beautiful buildings towering above it from all sides, I was instantly charmed.
The red huts only have small hatches too, that you have to almost lean into to see what goodies are inside, which does add to the quaint and traditional feeling.
Food
There were two huts serving hot food, both offering classic hot dogs for just 30 SEK (£2.40). However, if you’re after a sausage that’s better suited to a Christmas Market, expect to pay 50 SEK (£4).
I opted for the bratwurst – which was a thick garlic sausage in a bun and it was delicious – though the bun was neither here nor there. But honestly, I was just so impressed with how affordable it was! Could Stockholm be the surprise affordable market after all?
- Bratwurst - 50 SEK (£4)
Other hot food included waffles which were 70 SEK (£5.60), and roasted almonds which would set you back 60 SEK (£4.80). And there were sweets for 60 SEK (£4.75) for 140g, popcorn for 40 SEK (£3.20) and candyfloss for 50 SEK (£4) on sale too.
For veggies, I spotted a veggie hot dog in a bun for 35 SEK (£2.75) and a veggie burger, though nothing obvious on offer for vegans.
Drinks
Forget gluhwein, in Sweden you drink Gløgg! This hot festive drink was served from two huts in the market, both for 40 SEK (£3.20) a cup – and it came with a small biscuit too!
However, if you were hoping on getting merry, you may have to bring your own tipple. Thinking it tasted like hot Ribena, I asked a seller if there was any booze in it and they cheerily replied ‘yes, but only a little – you’ll still be able to drive home!’
But, it was still really nice – though I would have liked a proper mug over a paper cup.
Other drinks included a hut selling hot chocolate with marshmallows for 60 SEK (£4.80) and coffee for 35 SEK (£2.75). Whilst the waffle stall also served up standard hot chocolate for 40 SEK (£3.20) and filter coffee for 30 SEK (£2.40).
I also spotted hot apple tea for 30 SEK (£2.40). Finally, the hot food huts also sold water, cans and juice.
- Mulled wine - 40 SEK (£3.20)
- Hot chocolate - 40 SEK (£3.20)
Shopping
For a market so small, I was impressed with how artisan a lot of the stalls felt. I particularly loved the huts full of Christmas wreaths, ornaments and delicious delicatessen goods!
Those in search of a cosy knitted hat will be spoilt for choice too, though it’s probably not a market where you could do all your Christmas shopping in one place.
In terms of payment, cards were accepted at many of the stalls I checked and, knowing how digital Sweden is when it comes to paying, I expect they would all be!
Activites
There were a couple of huts that had a game set up inside, which consisted of a big spinning wheel full of numbers. Punters would pay for a go, and press a number in the hope that it correlated to a prize! I saw a kid win a humongous box of chocolates and he was delighted!
However, beyond that, the main thing here is to shop, eat and drink and enjoy the atmosphere!
Where I stayed at Stockholm Christmas Market
I actually didn’t stay in Stockholm as I arrived in the morning from the sleeper train from Hamburg. As for the evening, I’d already whisked off to my next destination by ferry.
However, I have stayed in the city before and done plenty of research on the best places. My top picks for a Christmas Market stay would probably be Skanstulls Boutique Hostel and CityBox Stockholm.
Skanstulls Boutique Hostel is in Sodermalm, which is a lively spot with great bars and shopping slightly removed from the Old Town.
It’s a unique and welcoming place, with cute decor and single and private rooms (with and without windows) as well as dorms. It’s a 3-minute walk from Skanstull metro, which gets you to Gamla Stan in 10 minutes.
If you sometimes find hostels can feel a bit impersonal, this is a great find. Dorm beds cost from £19 per night, single rooms from £45 and double rooms from £55.
Or there’s CityBox, which is a brand I really like for well-priced accommodation that gives you the basics. As the name suggests, it’s basically a box – there are no windows. But what you sacrifice in terms of view you get back in terms of affordability.
CityBox Stockholm is also in Sodermalm – just 2 minutes walk from Slussen metro and 10 minutes walk from Slussen ferry terminal that takes you to Skansen.
A small double room costs from around £90 per night.
Is Stockholm Christmas Market Worth Visiting?
My overall thoughts
Stockholm Christmas Market is a gorgeous little market that really feels quite magical once the sun has gone down and the lights inside the houses around the square start to light up.
I’d definitely recommend a trip if you were already in Stockholm, or wanted a city break with a nod to the festive season. However, it wouldn’t quite satisfy your appetite if you were flying in for Christmas Markets specifically.
There’s also Skansen Christmas Market over at the open-air museum. Even then, it may turn out that this teeny tiny one in the Old Town turns out to be your favourite of the bunch!
Other European Christmas Markets to Visit
Countries across Europe put on a great show every year when it comes to Christmas Markets.
If you’re after a classic German market, check out Hamburg, Cologne or Berlin. If you dream of Switzerland, then Basel is one for your list. Or you might be intrigued by Hungary, in which case check out Budapest.
Check out our Christmas Markets page for the lowdown on all things festive in Europe this Christmas.
Watch my Christmas Market Bingo Trip on YouTube
As well as writing about Stockholm Christmas Market for you here, I also made a whole video about it over on my YouTube channel!
