What to do, where to stay, and what to eat

If your idea of a perfect Christmas is cobbled streets, fairy-lit parks and plates piled high with comfort food, Sweden’s biggest cities are basically a movie set waiting for you. In December 2026, Stockholm and Gothenburg will both be deep into their Christmas traditions – old-world markets in the capital, and a full-on light spectacle on the west coast.

Here’s a blog-ready guide to hook your readers on spending Christmas 2026 in Stockholm & Gothenburg.

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Stockholm: storybook Christmas in the capital

What to do

1. Wander the Christmas markets

Stockholm’s markets usually open from mid-November and run up to Christmas. Two must-visits:

• Stortorget, Gamla stan – Sweden’s oldest Christmas market, held in the Old Town’s main square since the 19th century. Stalls sell crafts, sweets and glögg (mulled wine) against a backdrop of colourful medieval houses. city-guide-stockholm.com+1
• Skansen Christmas Market – At the open-air museum on Djurgården, Skansen’s market dates back to 1903 and is all about traditional Swedish Christmas: folk costumes, dancing round the tree, handmade gifts and historic houses decorated for the season. Nordic Experience+3Skansen+3Skansen+3

You can also name-drop smaller markets like Rosendals Trädgård or the Royal Stables as “bonus finds” for market-hoppers. Nordic Experience+1

2. Follow the winter lights

Stockholm puts on elaborate Christmas light displays – think reindeer made of LEDs, giant chandeliers over shopping streets and illuminated boats. Several guides recommend a “light walk” through central areas like Kungsträdgården, Biblioteksgatan and the waterfront. Nordic Experience

3. New Year’s Eve with a view

At midnight the sky over Stockholm explodes into fireworks. Official guides list hilltop viewpoints like Skinnarviksberget, Monteliusvägen, Fjällgatan and Mosebacketerrassen as some of the best spots to watch. Visit Stockholm+1

For something more traditional, Skansen hosts a classic New Year’s Eve celebration that’s been broadcast on Swedish TV since the 1890s. Skansen+1

Where to stay in Stockholm

For a blog hook, frame it as three moods rather than a list of hotels:

• Fairytale: Stay in Gamla stan for crooked lanes, low-beamed hotel rooms and a two-minute walk to the Stortorget market_ Book hotels on Expedia
• Shopping & nightlife: Base yourself in Norrmalm (near Central Station) for easy airport/train connections and big-name stores. _Book hotels on Expedia
• Hip & cosy: Pick Södermalm for views over the Old Town, vintage shops and independent cafés – perfect for long fika breaks when it’s snowing sideways. _Book hotels on Expedia

You can suggest readers search for small boutique hotels or design hostels in these areas depending on budget.

What to eat in Stockholm

Tell your readers to hunt down a proper julbord – the Swedish Christmas buffet. Traditional julbord is a multi-round feast with:

• Pickled herring, cured salmon and other cold fish
• Christmas ham, sausages and Swedish meatballs
• Potato gratin Janssons frestelse, ribs and lutfisk
• Gingerbread, saffron buns (lussekatter), cheeses and mountains of sweets Facebook+3Something Swedish+3swedishfood.com+3

Make it practical: “Most restaurants serve julbord from late November through December – absolutely book ahead for 2026, especially weekends.”

Gothenburg: coastal lights & Christmas at Liseberg

Jump on a three-hour high-speed train and you swap royal palaces for the salt-spray of the west coast.

What to do

1. Lose yourself in Christmas at Liseberg

Gothenburg brands itself as “Julstaden” – the Christmas City, and the star attraction is Christmas at Liseberg. The amusement park transforms into Sweden’s biggest Christmas market, with around 2,000 Christmas trees, winter-open rides and about five million lights. goteborg.com+3goteborg.com+3Sweden Travel Guide+3

Stalls are grouped into different themed markets – Tyrolean, old-fashioned, winter, Santa’s village – so you can write about “eating your way from the Alps to Lapland without leaving the park.” Liseberg+1

2. Stroll Haga and the harbour

For a slower pace, tip readers to:

• Haga – cobblestone streets, wooden houses and cafés famous for cinnamon buns bigger than your head.
• The central harbour/Opera House area – especially lovely when Gothenburg’s city-wide Christmas lights reflect on the water. goteborg.com+2View Stockholm+2

3. New Year’s by the water

Gothenburg usually marks New Year with big public fireworks over the Göta River; local guides for 2025 highlight displays along Norra Älvstranden with good views from the opera house quays, Ramberget and other harbour spots. ilovegoteborg.se+1

For your 2026 article, phrase it as a tradition: “Expect riverfront fireworks and plenty of unofficial rockets lighting up the skyline – just check the city’s event calendar closer to the trip for exact times.”

Where to stay in Gothenburg

Again, think “vibes”:

• Right in the middle of the Christmas city: Hotels around Avenyn and the central station put you close to shops, restaurants and the tram to Liseberg._ Book here
• Inside the magic: Liseberg’s own Grand Curiosa Hotel sits by the park entrance, themed like a quirky explorer’s mansion – ideal for families who want to roll straight from breakfast into the Christmas lights. Book here
• Harbour feel: Stays near the opera house or riverfront give easy access to New Year’s fireworks and ferry trips. Book here

What to eat in Gothenburg

Gothenburg is Sweden’s seafood capital, so tell readers to combine julbord with the west-coast catch:

• Look for Christmas buffets focused on herring, cured salmon, prawns and shellfish alongside classic ham, sausages and meatballs. Vogue Scandinavia+2Adventure Sweden+2
• Between feasts, recommend fika in Haga (try cinnamon or cardamom buns) and a seafood lunch at one of the city’s many fish restaurants.

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A simple Christmas 2026 game plan

To help readers picture their trip, sketch a sample itinerary:

• Days 1–3: Stockholm – markets in Gamla stan and Skansen, a day of museums and cosy cafés, julbord dinner and New Year’s Eve fireworks from a hilltop or at Skansen.
• Days 4–6: Gothenburg – train to the west coast, wander Haga, spend a whole afternoon and evening at Christmas at Liseberg, then see in the new year by the river.
• Day 7: Slow brunch and last-minute shopping before heading home.

Great tips from me

If you’ve ever wanted to experience a Scandinavian Christmas without freezing in a cabin in the woods, split your 2026 holiday between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Start planning now – the best julbord tables and Liseberg dates always go first.”

1. Plan your trip within your buget and book flight and hotels on Expedia or hotels.com